Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Just shy of perfect!, November 25, 2009
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
I love this little labeling system and have used a few different ones in the past 2 years since I adopted the Getting Things Done system. The system is really neat and though I am not always faithful, when I adhere to it, I am able to get things done, indeed. A labeler is critical for this system and important for organization in general and this little guy does the job.
Pluses:
-Small
-Quick
-Very nice printout
-Easy to use
-Ready-made formats for VHS/MiniDV/CDs/File tabs/Dividers
-Easy-to-obtain refills
Minuses:
-No AC power option! Even if it were an additional $20 I would do this because it is a...
-BATTERY VAMPIRE! It goes through fresh batts at an incredible rate, even using nice fresh Duracells.
[Note: I want to say that I wish this at least took AAs instead of the tiny AAAs because the small size increase means almost a tripling of the power and would be well worth it for this device. Also, some other reviewers have noted that you could use rechargeable batteries, but I find that with the always-highly-rated Eneloops, I get the "Low Batt" warning almost immediately.]
-Semi-expensive ribbon refills
-A moderate amount of ribbon waste
Overall, this is an outstanding product and is essentially perfect in function, I hold back one star given some of the practical issues on using it regularly, namely the lack of AC adapter option in the setting of pretty voracious battery use.
For folks who use it only intermittently, I give this 5 stars.
For folks using it daily, I would caution you to consider a model with the AC adapter.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Performs well, especially at such a low price!, November 25, 2009
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
I really expected that an electronic label maker would cost much, much more, so I'm amazed at the functionality of this item in relation to the price! This is just a good, basic machine to make labels with. I can't compare it with other label makers, but I would assume they may have more "fun" options as far as print styles/types and frames for labels.
I took time to test all the options/features, and found that the print is solid, the labels stick well to paper, plastic, & glass, and the finished product is very attractive and "finished" looking. The tape is just thin enough to be flexible and flat when applied, and not look bulky or peel up at the ends from being too thick or lack enough adhesive. The cutter cuts cleanly and neatly, and is easy to operate.
Your options with this item are:
** 6 type sizes/shapes: 9 point size in condensed and extended versions, and 17 point size in condensed and extended versions.
** 9 type styles: normal, outline, bold, shadow, italic, italic/outline, italic/bold, italic/shadow, and vertical.
** 5 auto formats: VCR/VHS, mini DV, audio, file tab, & divider
** 6 frames: underline, wooden (looks like print is on board with nails in it), banner, candy (looks like piece of candy twisted at both ends), rounded (frame with rounded edges), callout ("thought bubble")
** prints 1 or 2 lines
** 71 symbols to use
** 12 character LCD display; if your label is more than 12 characters, can push button and get read-back of what you've entered before printing; when you're 1st learning to use the maker, this is especially helpful, as you can see what you're entered before printing it out and wasting tape
** The colorful outside packaging of this item conveniently shows all these options as they actually appear on the labels (I would think this would be especially nice if giving this as a gift, where the receiver can immediately see the functionality of the P-Touch.)
Positives:
I like the design of this unit, as it cradles nicely in your hands -- you can reach all the keys with your thumbs when typing in a label. Also, the finish on the outside is a somewhat non-slip plastic, making it easier to hold.
Written instructions are very clear. Keyboard symbols are color-coded so it's pretty simple to figure out and learn to use.
You can see how much tape is left on your cartridge through a window on the back of the unit -- very helpful.
Drawbacks:
(very minor) I don't really like that the project you were working on when you cut the machine off re-appears when you cut it back on. I would prefer that the screen be blank and that you not have to clear it in order to start a new label. This is just my opinion.
The backing is extremely hard to get off the tape after it's printed. There is a small feature on the top of the unit where you can insert the tape to "start" the peel-off, but I would prefer to have a feature that makes peel-off a lot easier -- possibly one end of the tape a little shorter than the other? Now, the easiest way to remove the backing is to grip the tape between your left thumb and 1st finger very close to *one corner* and keep folding/bending at that corner slightly with your other thumb until you see the backing come away a little, then insert your nail.
Good to know:
** Unit uses 4 AAA batteries
** 13 feet of 1/2" starter tape, black print on white backing, is included
** Other color combinations of tape (available in both 1/2" and 3/8" sizes) are black print on gold/silver/green/blue/pink. Combos available in 1/2" only are yellow print on black, red print on white, and blue print on white. All tapes have to be be purchased separately, and are from about $8 to $10.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Helps With My Failing Memory, December 2, 2009
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
Bought a wood spice rack with twenty glass containers full of spices. I think this is a fairly popular kitchen item, as I see different variations of the same product. Some come with a spinner rack others for wall mounting etc. If you have one of these you know that after not too long the printed label name of the spice wears off leaving you little jars containing who knows what---cinnamon looks like red pepper etc. leaving the option of sniffing before use or giving up in frustration. Was getting so irritated after paying a lot for this spice rack and its contents and not being able to grab what I wanted. Thought I would get this label maker and get things organized, rare thing for me. After figuring out how to work this thing I made a label, stuck it on the first jar, looked great. I finished the project and feel proud that I actually did this on my own without having to call in the grandson to help me figure out how to work the P-touch. I know it has many other uses in the "getting organized" category. I will approach that one project at a time. Anyway, it works just fine and leaves me feeling a sense of accomplishment and being somewhat organized. I'm all thumbs at times, and really worried that I wouldn't have success---but I did!
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