{"id":7014,"date":"2012-11-27T10:40:47","date_gmt":"2012-11-27T16:40:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.barcodesinc.com\/news\/?p=7014"},"modified":"2019-09-13T11:41:36","modified_gmt":"2019-09-13T17:41:36","slug":"get-to-know-the-new-zebra-gc420","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.barcodesinc.com\/news\/get-to-know-the-new-zebra-gc420\/","title":{"rendered":"Get To Know The New Zebra GC420"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Zebra<\/a> has been a leader in small desktop label printers<\/a> with its long standing LP and TLP series printers<\/a>. While this series has been the go to printer for many businesses, all good things come to an end as these models were discontinued this year. However, Zebra has followed-up with a new line to fit the same needs with the GC420<\/a>.<\/p>\n

With any update in a product line though, there are always some questions as to the compatibility of using the newer model in place of the older series. \u00c2\u00a0The following FAQ is a great guide into how the GC420 can be the right fit for an aging LP or TLP series printer.<\/p>\n

Frequently Asked Questions<\/strong><\/h3>\n

How does the GC420 differ from my current 4\u00e2\u20ac\u0090inch 28\u00e2\u20ac\u0090series printer?<\/strong>
Mechanically the printer is very similar. It provides a dual\u00e2\u20ac\u0090walled, robust construction; however,\u00c2\u00a0electronically, the printer is very different. A whole new electronics platform provides a wealth of\u00c2\u00a0features.<\/p>\n

What are the main differences between a GC420 and legacy 4\u00e2\u20ac\u0090inch printers?<\/strong>
The GC420 offers faster processor capabilities, dual resident command languages, enhanced\u00c2\u00a0interface options, ZBI and Unicode.<\/p>\n

Can I upgrade my existing 2844 or 2844\u00e2\u20ac\u0090Z printer to a GC420 by simply installing firmware?<\/strong>
No. The printers have different main logic boards.<\/p>\n

My customer likes the size of TLP2844. Can we get 300dpi resolution in this size?<\/strong>
Yes, a thermal transfer GX430t<\/a> is available.<\/p>\n

What options and accessories are available for the GC420?<\/strong>
For a complete list of available GC420 options and accessories, please consult the GC420 price list.<\/p>\n

Are the GC420 printers Windows compatible?<\/strong>
Yes. All GC420 printers include a Windows driver. This driver will allow the printer to be used inconjunction with popular Windows applications. The Windows driver will enable the end user to\u00c2\u00a0design labels in their applications of choice for print output directly to the printer. Certified and Vista\u00c2\u00a0supportive ZebraDesigner<\/a> drivers are available to download from our web site at www.zebra.com.<\/p>\n

Are the GC420 printers compatible with other Zebra printers?<\/strong>
Yes. The GC420 printers have dual resident command language. The co\u00e2\u20ac\u0090existent EPL and ZPL allows\u00c2\u00a0for seamlessly integration into legacy and current installations. You can swap your older Eltron\u00c2\u00a0desktop printers or add to existing applications, including ZPL based mid\u00e2\u20ac\u0090range and high end\u00c2\u00a0installations.<\/p>\n

I need support of EPL Line Mode. Does the GC420 support this?<\/strong>
Yes. The direct thermal GC420d<\/a> supports the legacy Line Mode of operation.<\/p>\n

What connectivity options are available?<\/strong>
GC420 printers have three interface ports as standard; serial, USB and Centronics parallel. Ethernet\u00c2\u00a0support is available via our external 10\/100 print server that attaches to the GC420 printer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s parallel\u00c2\u00a0port.<\/p>\n

How much memory is standard on the GC420 printers?<\/strong>
The GC420 printers have 8MB SDRAM and 8MB Flash as standard. Extended memory and Real Time\u00c2\u00a0Clock options are available on the GX models<\/a>.<\/p>\n

I need support of EPL2, which GC420 models have this?<\/strong>
All GC420 printers have dual resident languages. The co\u00e2\u20ac\u0090existing EPL2 and ZPLII mean that any\u00c2\u00a0GC420 printer will understand and process either programming language.<\/p>\n

Can the thermal transfer units operate in direct thermal mode?<\/strong>
Yes. The GC420t can operate either with or without a ribbon to achieve both direct thermal and\u00c2\u00a0thermal transfer modes of operation.<\/p>\n

I would like to upgrade from my older 4\u00e2\u20ac\u0090inch 28\u00e2\u20ac\u0090series. Will my labels be okay for use?<\/strong>
Yes. The media handling of the GC420 will support your older media roll. However, it is\u00c2\u00a0recommended that you verify the print position as being correct and make any adjustments to your\u00c2\u00a0format or command code as necessary.<\/p>\n

Can I use my 4\u00e2\u20ac\u0090inch 28\u00e2\u20ac\u0090series ribbons on the newer GC420t?
<\/strong>Yes. Common ribbon handling has been maintained.<\/p>\n

Can I use my existing wristband media in the GC420?<\/strong>
Yes. Common media handling means that your Z\u00e2\u20ac\u0090Band Direct<\/a> or Z\u00e2\u20ac\u0090Band 4000<\/a> can be used in the\u00c2\u00a0newer GC420d and GC420t printers respectively.<\/p>\n

Can I use my media adapter kit in the GC420d?<\/strong>
Yes. The newer GC420d will accommodate the media adapter guides from your LP2844<\/a> or LP2844\u00e2\u20ac\u0090Z<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Will the Zebra Keyboard Display Unit (KDU) work with the GC420?<\/strong>
Yes. The auto\u00e2\u20ac\u0090sensing of the serial port will ensure support without modification or adapter.<\/p>\n

Does the GC420 have the same serial port configuration as the 2844 or 2844\u00e2\u20ac\u0090Z?<\/strong>
The adaptive auto\u00e2\u20ac\u0090sensing of the printer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s serial port will ensure support of either straight through\u00c2\u00a0or null modem configurations, so support for both legacy 2844 and 2844\u00e2\u20ac\u0090Z serial interfaces.<\/p>\n

Does the GC420 have the same parallel port configuration as the 2844 and 2844\u00e2\u20ac\u0090Z?<\/strong>
Yes. All the 4\u00e2\u20ac\u0090inch desktop printers\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 parallel ports utilise a Centronics interface.<\/p>\n

Is the 10\/100 Ethernet option field upgradeable?<\/strong>
No. GC420 Ethernet support is via an external print server. Internal Ethernet is available on the GK\u00c2\u00a0and GX models and must be chosen at the time of purchase.<\/p>\n

Can I use my older external ZebraNet 10Base\u00e2\u20ac\u0090T print server on the GC420?<\/strong>
Yes. The parallel port enabled GC420 printers will support the external PrintServer II.<\/p>\n

Do the printers have OPOS drivers available?<\/strong>
Yes. A UPOS compliant driver based upon the UPOS v1.11 specification with support for both .net\u00c2\u00a0v1.1 and Active\u00e2\u20ac\u0090X are available. The drivers and associated programming guide can be downloaded\u00c2\u00a0from the utilities section of our web site at www.zebra.com.<\/p>\n

What printers does the OPOS driver support?<\/strong>
The current mobile, desktop and mid\u00e2\u20ac\u0090range printers that use the ZPL programming language are\u00c2\u00a0supported for integration into the existing Windows based point\u00e2\u20ac\u0090of\u00e2\u20ac\u0090sale application.<\/p>\n

Are any instructions available to aid installation?<\/strong>
An in\u00e2\u20ac\u0090depth user guide accompanies the driver download and provides an overview of the driver\u00c2\u00a0installation and set up as well as the driver\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s own test application.<\/p>\n

What ships with a GC420 printer?<\/strong>
The printer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s ship kit contains an Accessories CD, pictorial Quick Start guide, plus warranty and\u00c2\u00a0registration cards. If a thermal transfer printer, then a ribbon take\u00e2\u20ac\u0090up core will also be included. The\u00c2\u00a0contents of the CD includes:<\/p>\n