Re: 3M
FWIW, I'm not particularly enamored with the Rino machines or tape. The hard-surface tape is the only one I found to hold; the nylon tape did not stay on the cables well, and the vinyl tape was about the same as the nylon at 1/2 the price and in twice the colors. Unless used with clear heatshrink, neither the nylon or vinyl lasted on the cables - fell off or came loose first or second time out. Extremely disappointed.
I've since used the hard-surface tape and put it on the XLR connectors - so far, so good.
I have the 3000 machine: it does not use the 1/2 tape - big mistake - the 5000 had fewer features, but could use the bigger tape.
Having the 3000 print sideways on the tape produced a label that was unreadable - font so small - that was not adjustable.
The plastic construction does not feel strong - feels brittle and thin. The latch on the tape door is too agressive, and it feels like I'm going to rip the door off the tape compartment every time I open it. It really does not fit all that well.
The rubber "boot" they supply for protection is a great idea as the unit feels somewhat fragile, however with the boot in place, one cannot change the tape - or the batteries hence my boot/protector never seems to make it back on. It is very hard on batteries - it does have a wall wart.
While I'm complaining, the keyboard is not QWERTY so it is slow to type out a message. I did not find the interface remotely intuitive.
I have had it two years now, I wouldn't buy another. I'm very disappointed.
frank
