****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
Most of the handheld label printers are built using ABC keybaords vs. the QWERTY keyboard, and that was a key factor in my decision to buy this scanner. Some people have claimed that using DYMO label makers vs. Brother label makers will save money as the DYMO does waste less label when printing, this is both true and false --- I will explain more further down in this review.I would like to add to this review a comment about batteries, there has been multiple comments about this label maker "eating batteries"; I have used up trial cartridge and many labels into my second cartridge and have not changed the batteries in this unit. I am using Eneloop Rechargeable batteries and they have performed flawlessly. Keep in mind that this would be a higher drain type of device when printing and cheap "Super Duty" (Non-alkaline or cheap Rechargeable) batteries are probably not going to work well. As always, I recommend the investment in Eneloop batteries with a good charger (LaCrosse BC-700)PROs:- Handheld form factor- Easy to use- Prints nice looking labels- QWERTY KeyboardCONs:- NO access to any special charactors except via menus (i.e. if you need a "-" or a "." on your label, there is NO button for this and you have to go into the symbol menu to find the symbol you want) ... This is annoying and is the reason that this label maker looses one star (most of my labels include "-" or "." in them)******************************************************************************************* The truth about actual label costs (Pictures will be attached to this review) *******************************************************************************************I printed out labels using a Brother P-Touch PT-2030 and the DYMO LabelManager 160 and these were the results of my findings:As of the time of this writing, the DYMO 1/2" D-1 label roll is selling for $14 and includes 23 feet (276 inches) of labelAs of the time of this writing, the Brother 1/2" P-Touch label roll is selling for $11 and includes 26.2 feet (314 inches) of labelI printed two labels that had this text in 24pt BOLD "TEST-XX-01"The DYMO label that was printed including wasted space on both sides was 2.75" in length which would allow 100 labels to be printed on a $14 roll *** $0.14 per labelThe Brother label that was printed including wasted space on both sides was 4" in length which would allow 78 labels to be printed on the $11 roll *** $0.14 per label*** TIE ***I printed two labels that had this text in 24pt BOLD "255.255.255.255"The DYMO label that was printed including wasted space on both sides was 3.375" (3 3/8") in length which would allow 81 labels on $14 roll *** $0.17 per labelThe Brother label that was printed including wasted space on both sides was 4.5" in length which would allow 69 labels on a $11 roll *** $0.16 per label*** BROTHER WINS ***The DYMO would win with smaller labels, it seems that my first label tested is about the tie breaker in size.Bottom line:If you print SMALL labels, you will get more for your money using a DYMO label printer with less waste per labelIf you print larger labels, you will get more for your money using a BROTHER label printer even though it waste more per labelThe DYMO generally prints more labels per roll than the brother, even though there is less label per cart, however the Brother label is cheaper at this time.There is also the consideration that you might be ok with the extra tape used by the dymo, and that you might hate how much extra tape is used with the brother, ... How much time might you spend trimming brother labels because they are huge?They are both great label makers ... I hope this review helps someone make an informed decision!
