Customer Reviews

SiPix A6 Pocket Palm Printer

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

On impulse I bought the Sipix A6 printer, brand new,(for a mere 19 bucks!) after checking it's compatibility with my invoicing software -Lowfat Invoice. However, I DID NOT check whether there were any known issues with the Dell Axim X5 and I was unaware of the wonderful people at AXIMSITE.COM.

Soooo, the unit arrives. I giggle. I Take it out the box, pop in the CD and there were only drivers for 2000/98/ME and Palm. %$!!&#! I'm running XP Pro and PPC 2002. I google and search for drivers. I found these: http://www.sipixdigital.com/support/PocketPrinterA6/drivers.shtml and I'm printing in XP - Woo Hoo! Load the CE drivers, attempt to print from LowFat - nuthin. %$!!&#! I made several attempts of removing and reinstalling the drivers, even changing the location (SD Card, main memory, built-in storage) -all, to no avail. Then I spot a thread response in Aximsite Forums by zipidydoda that recommended removing all the expansion cards and reloading the drivers. So I:

1) Remove my SD Card and the compact flash card
2) Did a soft reset
3) Put it in the USB Cradle
4) Used ActiveSync to remove the Sipix Printer Driver (if you get an error stating that a file is still loaded in memory you may have to tap> Start> Settings> System> Memory >Running Programs> Stop all - however, doing a soft reset before this step should help you avoid any errors)
5) Did a soft reset (after taking it out of the cradle)
6) Put it in the USB Cradle
7) Reinstalled the driver (location provided above)
8) Turned Axim off (after taking it out of the cradle) -this was also part of the instructions provided by Sipix
9) Turned Axim on
10) Print from A6print (tap > Start>Programs> A6print -it is best to choose a small txt file for quick printing)
11) Voila !!

So I'm printing -Woo Hoo! I try it in Lowfat -same error as before "Unable to Establish Infrared Link". What?!!? Just as I was about to chunk the thing -I thought long enough to calm down and approach it as if it were an error on a desktop. Since it's the IR port that's not jiving, I thought it could possibly be a transfer rate issue. I go into Lowfat> Tools> Print> Advanced> More Settings. There was no setting for IR Port Speed and the one for the Serial Port was defaulted at its lowest settings. I unchecked "Alternate IR Connection" and "IR Buffer Adjustment". Prayed -attempted to print...

Thank God!!!!! I'm printing -not only can I print with the A6Print and A6Capture utilities but I can print from LowFat Invoice too!

Sorry this was so lengthy but I didn't want anyone else to have to spend a whole business day trying to get their Sipix A6 to work -or worse...give up. I hope this helps somebody.

God Bless,
Axzym

In principle, this a great printer for the Palm, but be aware of the sofware. The printer comes with a sofware that allows you to print only from Datebook, addressbook, todo, and memo. In my case I wanted the printer to be able to print my documents from Quickword, and Quicksheet, multimail. After contacting Sipix, I was informed that I had to purchase Palmprint, which can print documents from Quickword, and for Quicksheet, I find out that I have to purchase Printboy. Bottom line, on top of the cost of the printer, you still have to purchase other printing softwares in order to take full advantage of this printer, which translates into more $$$$$$$$$$.
This is absolutely rediculous, it should be up to the manufacturer to supply the proper software that will enable the users to print from any applications that they use. Beside, this printer is aimed at businessman/women, buying a printer that will allow printing only from addressbook, todo, memo, or datebook is by no mean of any help to any business person. The reason I wanted to buy this printer, was to be able to print my documents while on the road (word, excel, e-mail, faxes..)
Defenitely not worth the buy, until it is supplied with the proper software that will enable printing from any application.

This thermal paper uses small rolls to print on - requiring no ink. It's small, lightweight (except with 4 "AA" batteries) and can receive data via its IrDA port OR serial connection. This did not work with my Jornada 680e but did with a iPad 19xx so it may not work with older PDAs (though, it was designed to work with Palms). You *can* use it with a desktop or laptop but you simply cannot install the drivers and "voila!" The properties of the connection between the printer and computer must be manually modified for it to work properly - but when you get it to work, it's perfect. I use it to print receipts and it is absolutely fantastic. I suppose the only "downside" to it is that paper for it is pretty expensive...the starter rolls aren't going to be enough to do much with so plan on looking for CUT or ROLL (preferably) cheap.

I was very disapointed by the fact that this printer is not compatible with any palm OS 5 enhanced devices (such as the Zire series, or tungsten sreies) Bummer. So if you have an older handheld with below 3.0 OS or if you have higher than 3.5 it simply won't work! I hope this information helps you.
I really have no Idea what the printer is like considering I can't use it perhaps I van someday

I have just bought this printer, and let me say, it is the best device that I have bought for my sony Clie. I am running Palm OS 4.1, and it works great. I downloaded the IRprint and Doctoprint combo demo from IRprint.com. It has good quality print, for pure text. The only problem that I have found is that it is sometimes hard to get a perfect lineup between the IR ports, but that might just be my handheld. Overall, I would say, go out and buy it. It has a definate cool factor. If you need a printer for documents to go, sheet to go, or any of the built in palm apps, get this one!!

Will not work with the new Dell Axim or most 2002 version of Pocket PC. Sipix has said "They are working on the problem" for at least a year that I know of. How hard would it be to write a driver for these handhelds? Tech support refuses to reply by e-mail and only by phone which takes 45 minutes to connect. Works OK with laptop and other than the paper only lasts for 20 printouts per roll and the curl is hard to get out it works good.

Make sure if you buy one of these that you can send it back if it won't work with your device.

Almost useless. Could not get it to work with IR. No drivers for system. No tech support. It is almost worthless. It arrived used and was supposed to be new. Could not return. Hope to get it to work with something.

I bought this for my daughter to use with her laptop when she goes to college, I knew that it was a small printer, and used a special paper, but I thought the paper was normal size. Not happy@all!