Thermal Typewriter Comparison

If you’re interested in thermal typewriters, this video is for you. Joe does a detailed comparison between six thermal machines in his collection, ranking them by objective and subjective factors, and comes up with a total points scoring system. Which one comes out on top?
Brother EP20: 2:02
Brother EP43: 08:21
Canon Typestar 4: 15:18
Canon Typestar 5: 21:09
Sharp PA-1050: 26:02
Casiowriter CW-10: 31:38
Summary: 37:00
Previous thermal typewriter videos:
Brother EP20: • Typewriter Video Serie...
• Typewriter Video Serie...
Brother EP43: • Typewriter Video Serie...
• Typewriter Video Serie...
Canon Typestar 4: • Typewriter Video Serie...
Canon Typestar 5: • Typewriter Video Serie...
Sharp PA-1050: • Typewriter Video Serie...
Casiowriter CW-10: • Typewriter Video Serie...
The master thermal typewriter comparison chart:
flic.kr/p/2i5JDfe
Google Drive link: drive.google.c...

[@machopolitan1]

As I recollect, the first thermal typewriter I saw is on a US soapie Growing Pains, which is madly popular back in 1990s in Shanghai, China. I recorded that particular episode on my VHS player. It took me quite a long time to figure out it isn't a mechanical typewriter, but an electronic one.

[@copyrightfreevideobyttf]

At the 23:30 markpoint, way to DROP THOSE BEATS Joe!!! dtggg dtggg dtggg... dtggg dtggg dtggg... dtggg dtggg dtggg... a REMIX of that could go viral, you know. Maybe give the red thermal typewriter some bonus points if it does!

[@captainkeyboard1007]

This was a great video. It makes me acquire a desire for a thermal typewriter I am keyboarding my work on a microcomputer. Happy Keyboarding!

[@iLVCA]

EP 20, say what you want Joe but I just fully love it and also the smell. Is so 80s it represents the 80z fellas I have it at home and I am very happy with my marriage. Nicely dne Joe as always. (Discovered 2 years ago for the first time in Mr Dundees movie. ) Thanks

[@johnc.bojemski1757]

This was absolutely FASCINATING! I never saw or even heard of this kind of machine before watching your video. Thank you again for the "education" on the subject. (These things AREN'T for me however. Think I'd rather invest in an "affordable" NOTEBOOK computer instead.)

[@kylehazachode]

Watched all of your thermal typewriter videos. I bought two Silver Reed EXD-10 thermal typewriters. I’m shocked at how small the EXD-10 is. It may be the smallest thermal typewriter. I love being able to take the typewriter to work and instantly have a document ready. No waiting for Office to open or walking to and from a printer. You mentioned D batteries being heavy, I invested in USB lithium ion D sized batteries. They really have zero weight to them and are perfect for portable thermal typewriters

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Thanks for the tip on the EXD-10 and lithium D-cells, I'll have to check them out. Thanks for watching.

[@sheelachattopadhyay]

I tried this with my Sears rebranded Brother EP-20 and got similar results with the weight reduction. It works well. Thank you for the tip!

[@johnandrewmunroe]

A great way to close out the year. See you in 2020 Joe!!

[@aphexteknol]

These are some of my favorite style of videos you make Joe. A masterclass on thermal wedges if you will. :) Your passion for these thermal typewriters really shines through, and I find myself inspired to eventually find one of my own. I had no idea you had a bright red Canon Typestar 5! I never knew they came in loud colors aside from the standard black, grey and biege that all other 80’s electronics seemed to come in. Happy New Year all! :)

[@angusbrown325]

Based on this fascinating video I acquired a Brother EP-20, a Canon Typestar 15, a Canon Typestar 220-II and a Casiowriter CW16. All the Canon Typestar typewriters came with partially used and even unused air sealed IR-100 ribbon cartridges. The ribbon cartridges, however, just don't age well and the ribbon no longer moves freely inside the cartridges. Using the cartridges gives poor reliability and most often the ribbons stop feeding tape and they overheat over the print head, usually snapping the ribbon. Thermal paper, in my limited experience, is the most reliable path to take, instead of using the ageing Canon IR-100 cartridges. One thing overlooked in the comparison is the tiresome hot zone (end of line) beeping emitted by thermal typewriters. I prefer the gentle ting of a manual machine to electronic beeps. Of all my machines, my favourite is the Brother EP-20. It is simple to operate and much quieter than the Canon Typestars, even its beeps are gentle and hushed, though, I agree its carriage return will keep you awake .

[@typepals]

Aaaahhh... The video I've been waiting for! Fascinating seeing a comparison of all the different thermal typers. But shocking results, I must say. I have yet to take a look at the chart you made, but based on the video it sounded like a reasonable comparison. Of course, I expect no less from you. I do have the Brother EP-5, which I understand actually came AFTER the EP-43. I recently bought a Typestar 7, but it's not working. However, it did come with a case, which I'm using for my Typestar 4 now, and a manual, which I'm using for my Typestar 6 as they share many features, including memory. Now if I could only find a font cartridge for the 6! They appear to be ultra-rare. Well, thanks for all the hard work you put into this video. I enjoyed it immensely.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Here's a link to the comparison spreadsheet on Google Drive: drive.google.com/file/d/1qSHCJudm5P8OVj2jF5UufyLrqAU00vjD/view?usp=sharing

[@bernardkelly235]

I would rate the EP20 as first in looks, though. I own one, and if it weren't for the CR, which is indeed too loud, I might use it more, just for the (aesthetic) pleasure of it.

[@karlabonil5958]

Hey Joe, Im just getting into typewriters. I love the noise levels on the thermal typewriters, and the ability to print one letter at a time, but I want to use ink and paper. Is there typewriters that print the way that the thermal typewriter does, without the daisy wheel, but without the thermal feature? Also, which thermal typewriter has the most accessible ink ribbons? I know Panasonic is very rare, but are the Brother ribbons rare?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

As far as I know, there are no longer any thermal typewriter cartridges being made, so they're all rare. I can understand your reticence against using thermal paper directly, but in my experience the paper lasts for years if stored out of the light (like in a binder) and at normal room temperatures. You can also scan or photograph the writings on your phone or other imaging device, to make a digital backup, even using OCR to convert the printing to a text file.

[@Linus007]

Joe, I enjoyed your video. I have the Canon typestar 6. It is okay. Unlike the typestar 5, it has the justification feature. Other than that it is the same in terms of all the annoyances that you point out. I recently bought a Panasonic KX-w50th. This machine is much like the other Panasonic typewriters. It is feature rich and much easier to use than the Canon. What I like best about it is that it has 10, 12, 15, PS pitches. It also has the Bold, underline, wide features. I will se if I can record a review in the future.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

The Panasonics are interesting to me. Thanks for the info.

[@Linus007]

Joe Van Cleave, I reviewed the Panasonic and the Canon side by side. Please see this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5almKJueresl7s

[@mattcooper9896]

Hi Joe! I'm curious, which of these do you think is be best for long form typing (like typing a manuscript, for example). Do you find one more comfortable when typing for long stretches of time? Thank you for the excellent video.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

I like the Brother EP43 better than the Canon Typestar because the right hand shift key is easier to find on the Brother, with the Canon it’s all too easy to mistakenly hit the return key. Thermals have limited editing ability, you can only make corrections within the 15 character Display. But the Sharp PA-1050 has a full line display and memory, it may be better for long projects, plus it has a decent keyboard.

[@TypewriterChicago]

Hi Joe! Took me a while to come around to this video. I've been enjoying my teletype machine with its gorgeous bright VFD display, bit it only types logs with zero control over format. And no capital letters! Not to mention terrible print quality. I made an eBay offer on a Canon Typestar 5 which I'm hoping will be much better. Sadly none of these machines seem to have that beautiful display I love.

[@danmiller6890]

Great video Joe. Since you started using these thermal typewriters, have you noticed any fading of your first works? Maybe a comparison between one of the originals from months ago and one recently typed? Just curious. Thanks for all of the wonderful videos. Best always. -Dan (aka MtPleasant Typer)

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Dan - I haven't seen much if any fading, but I'll do a video about it. Thanks for your support!

[@waterup380]

Just wish I could find a manual for the brother EP-41 online but you get the EP-43 and 44

[@Sebastian-uk3cp]

As part of the comparison I would have added if you can keep typing as the carriage returns. Some may not like having their typing interrupted

[@Assistime]

Joe, (and the great community of this channel) would y'all know how could I look for the Canon Typestar 10 power adaptor/cord?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Is the connector a round kind that takes a DC voltage? If so, it should tell you the voltage and polarity (I.e. 6v, negative tip).

[@Assistime]

@@Joe_VanCleave Yes, precisely. But I'm looking more for the actual plug that goes in the typewriter (for a specification) so I can source it online... The adaptor itself is a 6V 1A one but I'm unsure with "plug" fits on the typewriter... I'm looking through manuals for specifications... Many thanks!

[@Joe_VanCleave]

@@Assistime My Typestar 4 plug measures 5.5mm in diameter. But there are universal adapters that come with a variety of connector sizes.

[@Assistime]

@@Joe_VanCleave many many thanks

[@BobPagani]

Question, Joe: Which of the Typestar models can type on thermal paper without a ribbon?

[@romikotchan]

thermal typewriters make disappear the writtings with the pass of the time?

[@jedlarson7801]

I was wondering which models can print character by character (the letter types out right when you press the key)...rather than holding the line on the LCD , and then printing.

[@sheelachattopadhyay]

The Brother EP-20 (Sears 300 thermal is the rebrand version) can once it is set on Direct Print mode. I use this feature all the time because it is much faster with how I type to allow the typewriter to keep up.

[@formgh841]

On problem with those thermal typewriters is that you have to bend over the machine to see the LCD screen. To set it at eye level, I'm thinking pulling it out of my Canon Typestar 5 and connect it with the board using an extension. Do you think that's feasible? It looks like the connector has 7 pins on two rows and I wonder whether it's possible to find a male female extension for those.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

You may be able to find an extension. It reminds me of the AlphaSmart Neo having a similar problem. I made a makeshift support that props up the rear of the Neo, making the screen easier to read. I also liked the ergo improvement on the keyboard that way. Does the Typestar 5 have those rear feet that fold down? I can't remember right now.

[@formgh841]

@@Joe_VanCleave It does. But in my case I like when the keyboard is higher in front. So I can't see the LCD screen well. I just found out that, unlike the Typestar 4, the 5 doesn't have the 7x2 pins, but uses a different cable, the kind you slide in rather than plug, and I can't see how to extend that.

[@formgh841]

@@Joe_VanCleave I finally was able to raise the Typestar 4 LCD screen to eye level. It's not all that easy. imgur.com/3hUVZoZ

[@Joe_VanCleave]

@@formgh841 That’s genuinely unique! Not as portable, but perhaps more usable.

[@tristramneal2282]

Hello Joe, Great videos! Is there an easy way to tell whether a typewriter is "thermal" or not? I have a Canon Typestar which I'm using with thermal fax paper instead of an ink cartridge, and am wondering if I could do the same with a Sharp Fontwriter or Canon Starwriter. Do all thermal typewriters all use small rectangular ink casettes like the Typestar? Thanks for your help!

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Yes, all thermal typewriters use a small ribbon cartridge, but they don't have a round "daisywheel" print wheel. That's what I try to look for when investigating electronic typewriters online, whether you can tell it has a daisywheel or not.

[@tristramneal2282]

@@Joe_VanCleave Thanks Joe, very helpful. Another question if I may: I've recently acquired a Sharp PA1000 which I'm using with thermal paper and very happy with except for one thing: the tops of the taller letters - b, d, f, h etc. - don't print very well or at all, making the typed text somewhat annoying to read. Any idea what's causing this and what can be done? Do I perhaps need to clean the part which comes into contact with the thermal paper to print a letter? Many thanks!

[@Joe_VanCleave]

@@tristramneal2282 Yes, try cleaning the print head. I'm not certain about using alcohol. Maybe a cotton bud with distilled water, then a dry cotton bud after. Also examine the print head to see if there's any residue visible. Another idea is to use a backing sheet of paper, to make it thicker, in case the print head isn't perfectly aligned to the platen roller.

[@waterup380]

If you have the EP-44 you can use it has a printer also but don't know if the EP-43 can do that

[@johnc.bojemski1757]

I just NEVER got used to the tiny LCD displays vs.the actual "PC" laptops which offer a much superior display.

[@silvanaorizi5643]

Id like this tipewriter wish I cut find one in denmark ☺️

[@suehennessy]

Hia do you know we're I can bye a typwriter space bar for my vintage typwriter

[@Joe_VanCleave]

There is no aftermarket for typewriter parts, like there is for automobiles. You’d have to find an identical used machine that was otherwise unrepairable and use it for parts. Or do what I did, in the case of the Torpedo 18 missing a number 4 key: make one myself.

[@joselsantos2535]

How much is this?

[@LTHanlon]

The imprint quality differences between your Typestar 4 and 5 might not be unique to those machines. My Typestar 4 also lays down significantly darker type than the two Typestar 5s I own. My Typestar 4 also is quieter than the Typestar 5s. I'm thinking that Canon went with a less-robust thermal print head starting with the model 5.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

I think you're correct.