Low-end competition to HP plotters?

I would say the biggest competition to HP in large format is Encad. I don't do any B&W so I'm sorry but I can't be of much help.

I recently purchased a new HP430...only b/w for about $2100. Base unit ran $1365 that's no roll feed or stand.
You can upgrade to color if needed. I only use black ink.

Have had not much luck with Encad holding up. The HP500 has color and you need add-on driver package for AutoCAD. The 430 comes with it but, you give up the color.

It remains to been seen if I made a good choice! Looks good in my office....hope its works out. It remains to be seen if their on-site warranty works as well.
You are right, there's not much out there on the low-end plotter market.
Good Luck.

Thanks. I actually bought an HP DJ 500 a few months after posting this, in about May 2002. It's been working great, even for AutoCAD without buying anything extra. I even have it connected to our small network without buying the print server addon, I just have it connected directly to one workstation and then shared on the network, anyone can print to it and the workstation doesn't notice the difference.

Sorry to hear about the Encad, but good luck with your HP 430.