Wanted: VIC Printer

[grondinm]

Hello,

I am interested in getting a printer for my VIC. Which model should i be looking for that i would also be able to find ribbon for? VIC-1515, VIC-1525? Any others? I would like to use it for general printing. Letters, Financial graphs and such.

I'm not looking to purchase right today just want to know what i should be looking for.



If this is not the proper place for this thread please feel free to move it.

[srowe]

Most printers of that era require fanfold (continuous) paper. If you want to use normal paper I think you need to look for an MPS-803.

[grondinm]

Is the MPS-803 compatible with the VIC-20? I can't find anything saying one way or the other.

[orion70]

Nope. The MPS803, although fully compatible with a VIC, wants continuous paper. You should look for a MPS1000 or similar to use regular A4 sheets.

[Vic20-Ian]

You could get almost any dot matrix and use an interface like the Cardco Super G serial to parallel.

I have a Star LC-20 printer (£30) and this interface.

Printer works as IBM Proprinter or Epson emulation iirc.

Single sheet and tractor feed paper.

MPS801 looks good alongside the Vic20 but prints unidirectionally so is slower.

Ribbons for the Commodore printers are quite expensive too.

[grondinm]

Nope. The MPS803, although fully compatible with a VIC, wants continuous paper. You should look for a MPS1000 or similar to use regular A4 sheets.

According to this it can do both continuous paper and single sheet

https://de.zxc.wiki/wiki/MPS_803

I for sure would want something that takes regular US letter paper.

You could get almost any dot matrix and use an interface like the Cardco Super G serial to parallel.

Interesting will have to consider this. How would i know if it would work this way?

[orion70]

Yep sorry I read 801

[Vic20-Ian]

You could get almost any dot matrix and use an interface like the Cardco Super G serial to parallel.

Interesting will have to consider this. How would i know if it would work this way?

https://www.star-m.jp/eng/service/usermanual/lc20um.pdf

See page 30 you can set the Star LC-20 Printer to emulate Epson LX850 or IBM Proprinter which were common back then.

I printed from Vic20 with it fine.

It also has programmable character set so you can write letters in your own font.

[nefaurora]

Wow, I didn't know that about the MPS803.... that they are single sheet... I've learned something new! Thanks for that info... I have two 803's mint in the box and I've never even touched them... )