This page is intended to provide a quick guide to which currently new (or recently) available printers will work with LocoScript. For the definitive guide to choosing a new printer for LocoScript, see the main page in our Help and FAQ section at www.locoscript.com.

Essentially, a printer requires two main attributes; MSDOS compatibility (such as Epson or PCL emulation)and a Parallel port. If a printer is rated as "Windows-only" and/or has only a USB connection then it won't work with LocoScript. The printers currently (or until recently) being produced which are known to work with MSDOS and LocoScript are included on the following list.

INKJETS

APOLLO 1200 - an American import model with Hewlett Packard mechanicals. In fact, this is a HP DeskJet 500 clone. Usually comes with a colour cartridge which won't work with MSDOS, thus you will need to buy a black cartridge which in fact is the same type as for the HP DeskJet 400/500 OEM No: HP51626A. LocoScript Driver: HP DeskJet 500. See the notice at the base of this page regarding Apollo availability. Note. The other Apollo models such as the 2100 are USB connection only and will not therefore support MSDOS printing.

Update HP announced in late 2002 that production has ceased across the entire Apollo range. The MSDOS compatible P-1200 printer may be available second hand..

HEWLETT PACKARD DeskJet range e.g. 640c/830c/950c etc. All the recent DeskJets retain MSDOS compatibility and work well with LocoScript. LocoScript Driver: HP DeskJet 560c. Note. The exceptions to this rule are the recent variations such as the DeskJet 645c which only has a USB connection.

Update The (fairly) recent HP Deskjets 6122 and 630c look a good bet, showing parallel port and PCL3 emulation in their specifications. The HP Deskjets 3420 and 825c are USB-only, however.

OLIVETTI JP RANGE some of which we have sold such as the 170/190/192/370. These printers all have PCL3 language built-into the firmware and can thus use HP emulation. 

LocoScript Driver: HP DeskJet 500.
The JP 192 is the latest model and once again this tends to be supplied with a colour cartridge which is no good for use with MSDOS or LocoScript. You will therefore need to budget for buying a black printhead. The JP192 packages we sell already come with a black printhead.

Epson Update: The latest range of Stylus C printers are specified on the Epson web site as having ESC/P emulation and theoretically this means they should work with LSPro although they are not listed by Epson as being MSDOS compatible. However, a user has reported that the C80 works with LSPro using the suggested Stylus 800 driver and LX fonts only. This combination may also work with the other Stylus C printers and is at least worth trying.

Note. Only the Stylus C80/2 appear to contain the full firmware necessary to work with LSPro's Stylus 800 driver. None of the Epson Stylus Photo printers are likely to work properly with LocoScript.

LEXMARK Zs. The Zs contain an "MSDOS emulation" mode which is not the same as being able to print directly from MSDOS. In effect, the Z is providing an MSDOS simulation within Windows and this can result in quite a delay before printing occurs from LocoScript. You may also have to task-switch to the Windows Desktop in order to pick up the Lexmark Control panel before printing proceeds. Our recommendation is not to purchase a Lexmark Z as a first choice printer for LSPro as printing is likely to be slower than is satisfactory.
LocoScript Driver: HP DeskJet 560c.

LASERS

BROTHER HL 1440. This is a new budget-priced Laser printer (RRP around £229) which is according to the specifications given on Brother's web site is endowed with HP LaserJet emulation and thus should give good performance. LocoScript Driver: HP LaserJet 2L.

Update: A user has confirmed that the HL 1850N and the 5150DD work perfectly with LocoScript using the Brother HL 8V driver.

A user has confirmed that the Epson EPL5800 laser printer works from LSPro using the HP LaserJet 4L driver. Another user (2010) tells us that the Epson Aculaser M2000D works with LocoScript using the HP LaserJet 2 driver.

GOLDEN RULES

The above list may not be definitive but it is as complete as we are able to compile at present. In general, if you want to try any other new (or recent) printers with LocoScript then the most likely drivers to work are the HP DeskJet 500/560c or the Epson Stylus 800. You may also find that only LocoScript's manufactured LX fonts will work as some (most) modern printers have no built-in typefaces. Availability-wise, some of the above models may still be being sold in the high street chain stores such as Comet, PC World or Staples.

Feedback from users especially on printer performance and compatibility is always valued and such information is added to our printer knowledge database, maintained on LocoFile, of course.