Roland Versacamm VS-300 vs Truvis SG-300 vs SG2-300

[Myster Enigma]

Hi guys. I'm from the UK. I recently moved home and have space in my garage for a 30inch print and cut. Inside my home I currently have the BN20 running at draft 2 which isn't really fast enough for my needs. I also have the Roland VS540i which will be going on sale as it is too big for my property. I am looking for a printer in the used market. So prices for the SG-300 are cheaper than the older VS-300. Is there any reason for this and out of these 2 which is the better deal. I can stretch to the SG2-300 if it is a much better upgrade than the SG-300 but it will cost £1000.00 more.

I haven't looked at the VG series as I think this may be beyond what I can afford. I have looked at comparisons before and many years ago when the SG and VG series came out I heard there were a lot of issues. The print and cut sellers would also tell me that they much preferred the VS series. What do you guys reckon? Thank you

 

[cornholio]

I would want a VSi with Max2 ink. Depending on your needs with 7c or 2xCMYC ink configuration.
Max2 is the "head friendliest" ink from Roland, where TrueVis2 Cyan is a head killer.
VSi has double the nozzles of a SG.
The SG2 is a SG with some problems oft the earlier model resolved.( Somewhat Like VS to VSi)

 

[Myster Enigma]

I would want a VSi with Max2 ink. Depending on your needs with 7c or 2xCMYC ink configuration.
Max2 is the "head friendliest" ink from Roland, where TrueVis2 Cyan is a head killer.
VSi has double the nozzles of a SG.
The SG2 is a SG with some problems oft the earlier model resolved.( Somewhat Like VS to VSi)

Thanks for the response. It's nice to hear that the older models are preferred. I would ideally get a VSI machine as well but for my budget and used availability right now the VS-300 is the only one I can afford. Dual CMYK is preferred. I don't really need more than 4 colours. I tend to use third party inks as they have ran fine on my heads for years. TR2 inks will also cost me more if I decide to go for the later models.

Out of curiosity as I may never be able to afford some of the latest machines. Are the benefits from say a VG3 much better and faster? Speed is the only thing that I find lacking at the moment.

Thank you

 

[Langelot]

I love the VS-300i - truly a great little machine and Roland now has nothing to fill in that size niche any longer - desktop (BN) models don't count... They have also gradually (and very purposely) made the inks more and more expensive... The SG2 or SG3 are good machines - four inks, two heads with two ink channels each, but they are physically much longer and bulkier as the maintenance sections have been broadened to make it more user friendly (spacious) and frankly its a step backward, i.e. much less "ergonomic". Unfortunately, the VSi now is also at end of life, but it is still a beautiful machine to look at and use and if you know how to take care of it, I am sure that it will still be around (with enthusiasts still using them) for at least another 3-5 years. VGs are the the exact same machine as the SGs but they have 8 inks and 4 heads - so yes, if you get one configured with double CMYK, it will run faster thank if you have CMYK + Light set inks. If you get an VG or an SG make sure that you get a VG/VG3 or SG2/VG3 - the originals versions had many issues which were worked out in the generations that followed.

 

[cornholio]

VG3/SG3 have a different toolhead and a bigger color display. This automates the Bidi and feed calibration and you can do a perforated cutoff. Print head configurations are the same 4/8 channels as in older models.
I got so used to the old Roland displays, i could have guided customers to settings over the phone without standing in front of a printer.
With the new display, no more. At least not yet.

 

[Myster Enigma]

I love the VS-300i - truly a great little machine and Roland now has nothing to fill in that size niche any longer - desktop (BN) models don't count... They have also gradually (and very purposely) made the inks more and more expensive... The SG2 or SG3 are good machines - four inks, two heads with two ink channels each, but they are physically much longer and bulkier as the maintenance sections have been broadened to make it more user friendly (spacious) and frankly its a step backward, i.e. much less "ergonomic". Unfortunately, the VSi now is also at end of life, but it is still a beautiful machine to look at and use and if you know how to take care of it, I am sure that it will still be around (with enthusiasts still using them) for at least another 3-5 years. VGs are the the exact same machine as the SGs but they have 8 inks and 4 heads - so yes, if you get one configured with double CMYK, it will run faster thank if you have CMYK + Light set inks. If you get an VG or an SG make sure that you get a VG/VG3 or SG2/VG3 - the originals versions had many issues which were worked out in the generations that followed.

Yes I remember being at a used showroom in 2019 deciding on the SG540 or the VS540i at the time and they suggested the VS. Even though it cost more and was older I preferred the look and size of the machine as it was so much smaller and less bulky looking. As I am priced out of the latest models and don't have the room to keep a bigger machine I feel as though there isn't a model that is as good or as cheap as the VS300i's. The BN2 20 and 30 is too expensive and also I believe not as fast. I think it's confusing because the SG first generation is so much cheaper than the VS series but the SG2's are slightly more expensive putting the VS in the middle. I'm hoping that in the future there will be a BN3 model that takes place as a successor to the VS series as they still use Roland printheads

 

[Myster Enigma]

VG3/SG3 have a different toolhead and a bigger color display. This automates the Bidi and feed calibration and you can do a perforated cutoff. Print head configurations are the same 4/8 channels as in older models.
I got so used to the old Roland displays, i could have guided customers to settings over the phone without standing in front of a printer.
With the new display, no more. At least not yet.

It sounds like the older machines are still preferred in some aspects compared to the newer stuff. That is great to hear

 

[Myster Enigma]

Okay I think there's a chance I can get a VS-300i. So as I mentioned I have space in my garage. My garage is a small concrete floored brick walled structure beneath a coach house style property. It isn't actually attached to my house so I plan to use an portable electric power station to use it. I need to use it roughly 3 times a week for 2 to 3 hours at a time. 2 questions here. Do you have any recommendations on an electric PowerStation. And secondly will it be okay keeping the machine in a garage.

Thanks