Saga GLP

ZX Computing

THE GREAT LITTLE PRINTER Saga Systems £199.00 This is one of the smallest "real" printers I have seen, measuring 334 x 195 x 70 mm and it is very smart and compact. Size and price usually tend to indicate the degree of flexibility of a printer and, at first sight, it did not promise a lot. However although cuts have been made, the final assessment of its quality depends on the limitations that these cuts impose. So first of all we looked at the specifications: TECH. SPECS. The GLP II is a 9x9 dot matrix printer giving descenders and even Sub and Superscript modes. Working at 100 cps in draft mode there is a full set of print styles; Enlarged, Double Strike, Emphasised, Condensed, Elite, Pica and Italics, and many of these can be used together in various combinations. A switch selectable NQL (Near Letter Quality) mode is available. Print speed varies according to the mode(s) used. NLQ running at 25 cps. Both a Centronics and an RS232C interface is fitted at the back of the printer. The max line length is 8", Normal Pica mode prints a maximum of 80 CPL rising to a maximum of 137 CPL in condensed mode. A "Bit Image" graphics mode is available plus 12 international character sets: USA + 11 European. Two main modes of operation are offered, an Epson FX compatible and IBM PC compatible mode. OPERATION I connected it to the Spectrum (once I had found a mains plug, another economy) via the Euroelectronics ZX LPRINT 3, first by the Centronics and then by the RS232 port (after making up a lead), and with both ports it operated without any problems. However I did have a funny five minutes when it produced all sorts of garbage and switched modes at random while using TASWORD 2. Eventually I reset the whole system and no further problems were experienced during the rest of the test period - I put it down to a voltage spike in the mains supply. PLUS Having both serial and Centronics ports makes it instantly viable to use with a large range of machines - QL and Spectrum 128 direct - and on the Spectrum+ with peripherals; ZX interface I, Wafadrive, Opus Discovery etc, and not forgetting the range of separate printer interfaces. The large variety of print options included covers most types of text printing needs, but I decided to see how it performed with a special print program so I used it with TASPLUS font program and encountered no problems, except that you are limited to 48 CPL in this mode. Print quality is excellent, especially NLQ, and I would be more than happy to use it for letters and business printing, though whether it could produce "official" documents is open to debate and personal opinion. MINUS Economies had to be made and the most noticeable is that the printer is supplied to work on single sheets of paper, however you can purchase the optional tractor feed and roll paper units. There are only two front panel switches. ON LINE and LF, Form Feed is omitted, though CHR$ 12 will perform a FF from software control as normal. The LF switch also doubles as the NLQ mode switch - this is an excellent idea, making switching between draft and NLQ modes quick and easy. These two switches are not the usual type but similar to the membrane switch beloved by Sir C, they do feel more positive and of better quality though! OPINION This is a very good printer with a carefully considered number of options that makes it ideal for the general home user. However if you are looking for a printer with specific features: ie A Centronics ported fanfold paper feed printer; then the savings on not having an RS232 could buy you more features elsewhere, (ie Shinwa CP80). The casing probably will not tolerate rough handling if on a portable system, but should cope well with a home permanent set up. The DIP switches which control some of the initial functions on power up are standard and are fiddly but easily accessed. I feel that the manual is not clear enough for absolute beginners. Although the manual is well produced, it is in "note" form, all the info is there for an experienced user, the assumption seems to be that you already know about Bl and creating downloadable character sets, some of the advanced functions on the machine. A good all purpose printer, perhaps a little expensive, but well worth your consideration.