Regarding the use of a portable Printer

We carry a cheap multi-function printer, copies scanner. We use it for many things while on the road. We have had to renew insurance and download new proof of insurance.
I got sick and had to send documents to my quack here at home. Scanned them-emailed them and received notice of prescription being sent to pharmacy.
We have printed out conformation for campgrounds.
If you have room get one. It can stay in a box in compartment if you do not have room somewhere in the rig.

Hi,

Do you have a laser printer? You can not run a laser printer on MSW inverter power, but on the generator or of course shore power is fine.

Ink jet printers are fine on MSW power, and I used mine a lot on the inverter. I use it to print pictures and other things. Never used for reservations, I can write down what town it is in, directions, ect. I use the GPS in my computer to get around town.

DeLorme sells a GPS system that uses a USB port receiver, and can plan trips on a 15" screen! How handy is that? DeLorme program is the only one that I know of with the ability to give out topographical map too, and can tell you how steep a grade will be along the route, you can also plan different routes to someplace like Yellowstone, and avoid the steepest routes, go with something different.

DO you have a inverter on your RV? IT is very handy for use to watch TV, catch up on the local news, and not need to run the generator all the time. It is very handy if you spend any time in forest service campgrounds or boondocking on BLM land or other places.

Fred.

The scanner part of the multifunction printer is more useful to me than the printer. Unfortunately it's true, inkjets dry out, whereas lasers don't, and laser multifunctions are spendier.

From the computer, I just print anything that needs saving to a PDF via PdfCreator, and save the electronic version. Hardly ever need to use paper.

I find having a printer handy for printing reservation confirmations. No problems and reduces time at check in.

enblethen wrote:
We carry a cheap multi-function printer, copies scanner. We use it for many things while on the road. We have had to renew insurance and download new proof of insurance.
I got sick and had to send documents to my quack here at home. Scanned them-emailed them and received notice of prescription being sent to pharmacy.
We have printed out conformation for campgrounds.
If you have room get one. It can stay in a box in compartment if you do not have room somewhere in the rig.

X-2
A nice convenience to have, almost a necessity for my life style. An in-expensive one can usually be found for $50 - $75.

This past winter I used mine to sell a piece of property and endorse my documents via scanned documents emailed as a pdf. Saved a lot of trips to a store to have the docs. faxed.

I bought a Canon Pixma IP 100 printer for traveling. It's small and easy to store. I keep it in a small netbook bag and store it at home when not traveling to avoid it being stored in higher temps. I found it very useful during our spring trip to FL and New Orleans and it will pay for itself by allowing us to print out online coupons, discount vouchers, etc.

darsben wrote:
I have the cheapest all in one printer I could find. I buy at Walmart for around $30.00. It is not a portable printer and is stored away when not in use. Every winter I have occasion to use it to either print or scan. Once had to sign and return a document to a real estate agent and I just pulled over fired up the genny and completed my business ez peze. NO HASSLES. IN addition I used it to print out my wife's boarding pass when she returned home to her family for Christmas. I have used it for other purposes as well including Groupons and Restaurant.com certificates.

Same here. I bought an Epson NX230 that was on sale for $30 and fits in an overhead cabinet. When I need to use it I just take it down and print. Potable printers are way more than I want to spend on something that I use "on occasion". YMMV

For a number of its early years with us the coach was a WV and not an RV. I frequently needed the printer to have carryable instructions for things being installed or to scan and make copies for the owner or to print final quotes for the owner to sign. The coach is retired from that now and gets less use, but way more miles. We still carry and use a multifunction inkjet (with spare ink and the cords stuffed inside).

We use it more at rallies than when traveling, but sometimes we do. I have always carried a small inverter with it. Inkjets don't need much power. That way, I don't have to find shore power or start the APU (genset) just to manage one page.

If you have the room, go for it. (And the little inverter if you ever dry camp.)

Matt

Most places I make reservations at send a confirmation email. Set yourself up with a Google gmail account specifically for this purpose and receive the mail on your smart phone.

Couple days ago I decided to get an Epson Wireless "small-in-one" XP-310 printer from Walmart for $60. Has a scanner so it is a photocopier as well. Very useful. Also the ability to connect all my devices to the printer is a real advantage.