Brother P-Touch PT-H500LI Rechargeable, Take-It-Anywhere Label Maker with PC-Connectivity

First impressions, it appears well made. Feels solid when you hold it, not like a cheap toy. Buttons are well marked and easy to read even for my old eyes. The display is backlit and also very easy to read. I like the fact that you can use the supplied rechargeable battery pack or your own batteries. We needed a printer that would work for regular labeling and for labeling wires, this does both very well. Printing is very crisp even at the smaller font size. The tape cartridges are easy to change and come in various sizes of tape and colors! The software installed on my machine with no problems, it even did an update right away. The wizard is very nicely done, many examples to choose from. You can even press a button to take a website to purchase supplies. I would suggest that once you have installed the software, use it! There are 3 modes, Express, Professional, and Snap. You can do a lot of things with this labeler that you can't with others.

This is the first time I have used a device like this. The price appears to be reasonable with all of the features. The instructions are very understandable with no problems. I like the rechargeable "Take-It-Anywhere" option as the work can be done in the field etc.

Being new to a label maker, the user manual for this product is terrible. When opening the back cover to insert the tape the sticker that says not to move this lever by hand with an arrow pointing to it is very obvious. So, trying to install my first tape in the machine, I was unable to and subsequently ruined a cassette. After moving the lever by hand that you aren't supposed to, I was able to insert a tape. My initial try, the lever did not fully retract the print head. If the manual actually was user friendly with decent pictures and information, I wouldn't be out a brand new tape. Heaven forbid you provide better instructions. Not impressed at this point.

Compared to my PT-1650, the PT-H500LI falls short. My 1650 failed and I choose the 500LI as its replacement. On flag printing, the print font size is not user changeable. For repeat cable wrap you cannot use 1/2 " cable wrap tape. Unfortunately these limitations are not adequately disclosed in the literature and are key features in my use. The result - My poor rating

I purchased this fairly expensive Labeler because it could handle a wide tape size. It came with no AC power cord (It was supposed to because the "LI" stands for lithium rechargeable battery. Except you can't recharge it without the charger, which wasn't in the box.