Comparing The GBC Ultima 65 and the GBC HeatSeal H800pro Laminator

For years, GBC / Ibico has made some of the best school laminators on the market. However, for customers looking to replace their existing GBC or Ibico Laminator the difference between the GBC Ultima 65 and the GBC HeatSeal H800Pro roll laminator may not be completely apparent. These machines look very similar and are priced approximately the same which can sometimes lead to a lot of confusion. However, there are several differences. Here is a quick overview.

1. The GBC Ultima 65 uses a heated roller technology which is the most common technology used in school laminators. Chances are, if you have used a laminator in a school or print shop before you have used a heated roller laminator. On the other hand, the GBC H800pro laminator uses a heat shoe technology. Although both technologies have their places, most individuals find the heated roller technology more user friendly for loading film and for regular use. The vast majority of laminators used in schools use heated roller technology.

2. The heated roller technology used by the GBC Ultima 65 provides more heat than the heat shoe technology used by the GBC H800pro. For this reason, the GBC H800pro CAN NOT be used with standard school laminating films. Instead, the H800 requires the use of more expensive low melt laminating films. Since these laminating rolls are considerably more expensive than the standard laminating films available from supply costs with the GBC H800pro are going to be quite a bit higher than with the Ultima 65.

3. The Ultima 65 is the most common laminator found in schools across the country. It is simple to use, easy to maintain and incredibly reliable. Down the road, support for the Ultima 65 is going to be cheaper, parts are more readily available and the laminator is easier to use than the H800pro. Thus, the long term costs of owning the Ultima 65 should be significantly less than owning the GBC HeatSeal H800pro.

After taking these three factors into consideration along with the fact that the GBC Ultima 65 is usually priced approximately the same as the GBC HeatSeal H800pro the choice to select the Ultima65 should be simple. This being said, some users prefer a heat shoe laminator over a heated roll laminator and in that case the H800pro can still be a good choice.

Jeff McRitchie is the designer and Director of Marketing for MyBinding.com. He is an expert on laminators, laminating pouches and more.

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