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Brady BMP21 Label Printer

Portable label printer is a labeling tool for identifying a variety of items, like cables, file folders, and equipment
Single-color printing on label materials such as continuous tape, vinyl film, wire marker sleeves, self-laminating media, and nylon cloth
Thermal transfer printing stays crisp and bright longer than direct thermal printing
Easy-to-load cartridges and automatic label formatting for convenience
Prints on label materials used in harsh environments such as extreme temperatures and curved or highly-textured surfaces (labels sold separately)

My primary use for a label printer is to mark wires in industrial electrical cabinets. I need the type of label where the text is printed repeatedly perpendicular to the label direction, then wrapped around the wire. (NOT the "flag" type where the label is just folded in half over the wire.) This type of application requires the nylon cloth tape, which is available for most brands of label makers.

I had previously used a Brady IDpal, which had some advantages but was not very reliable. After comparing and reading reviews for the Rhino 5200 and Brother P-touch units, I decided to purchase the Rhino 5200. In short, I was disappointed in the wire wrap capability of the Rhino and ended up returning it. The literature claimed that it would print labels for wires as small as 22awg (which I often use), but I came to find out that the shortest wire wrap label it will print is 1-1/4" long. Why on earth would you need 1-1/4" of label to wrap around a wire only 1/16" in diameter? For the short time I had it, I ended up trimming and wasting more label tape than I actually used.

Enter the Brady BMP21. The shortest wire wrap label it will print is 3/4", which still can be longer than necessary for tiny wires, but it''s way better than the waste from the Rhino. Plus, the label cartridges are cheaper than Rhino and you can get 3/8" tape (Rhino only goes down to 1/2"). I haven''t used many functions yet other than the wire wrap labels, but it seems like a rugged unit and I''m sure it will serve my purpose. The backlight is a nice touch. If you need wire wrap labels, the BMP21 would be my recommendation.

UPDATE 7/28/2011:

After using this labeler for almost a year, it has served my purpose well. The label cartridges are fairly inexpensive and even cheaper on eBay. My only complaint is that it seems to drain batteries fairly quickly, even when not in use. I''ve gotten into the habit of removing one of the batteries before putting it away, to minimize this problem. I''d suggest investing in the AC adapter if you purchase this unit.

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Have had the BMP21 for a year and a half now, and used it on several projects. I use the nylon cloth labels for wire labeling, DIN terminal blocks, and larger labels on equipment front panels. The label backing is limp, and the mastic aggressive, so that the wire labels stay wrapped on, so far without problems. The printer will do heat shrink sleeves, but I haven''t felt the need for such permanence. I find that it works just fine on alkaline AA batteries, and doesn''t drain them when not in use, as one reviewer stated. Maybe his is defective or is using rechargeable cells, which discharge eventually whether used or not.

One problem has irritated me though. When printing numbers for 5mm wide DIN terminal blocks, it will print serialized numbers, for instance, 10 labels 1-10 starting with 1, with one press of the start button without stopping, and the numbers get spaced on 5mm pitch. If asked to print 10 of the same number (serialize OFF) for terminals joined by a shorting bar, it stops after each one and forces me to press the Print button for each numeral. This screws up the 5mm spacing of the labels making it more like 7mm, which forces me to cut them apart and apply them individually. This is a firmware defect. If they can have it generate ten numbers in a FOR loop, incrementing each time, and print them without stopping, all they have to do is switch off the incrementing function in the same loop to make this work right. I just checked to see if there''s been a firmware upgrade, but so far no. I guess this would have to be a ROM change, since there''s no I/O port, but I would be willing to ship it in to get this fixed, or install myself.

That being said, using this labeler is still WAY better than the old rolls of individual preprinted numbers, or hand lettering. I''m getting really good with the razor knife.

Read Best Reviews of Brady BMP21 Label Printer Here

Nice labeler, many different label types to use for different enviroments. I use this to label Infant bottles and then subject them to the microwave for sanitation and the labels stay on for a long time. I also use this in industry as an OEM to label wires and cables and they hold up very well. As I said there are several different types of label material, be certain to choose the correct material for your application.

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Brady makes quality printers. We have 3 electricians that use the Brady 21 day in and day out for industrial wiring. They hold up well and compared to other brands you can''t beat the price.

Favorite least used tool. Its not so much the printer, but the labels and brady has some of the best. The labels never fall off even when exposed to back of rack server heat. Highly recommend Get the charger as it eats though batteries.

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