Fellowes Mars 95 Pouch Laminator

If you're new to laminating or just want a basic, easy-to-use device, you should think about taking a look at the Mars 95. This is an entry-level laminator that has a lot going for it, but it's not without a few drawbacks. Here are the pros and cons of using this device.

Pro: The Mars 95 has a feed opening that's 9.5 inches wide. This is the perfect size for documents that have been printed on letter- and legal-sized paper that have measurements of 8.5" x 11" and 8.5 x

14", respectively. You'll also be able to process a variety of smaller items such as bookmarks, business cards, and more.

Con: This device isn't capable of handling large items. If you anticipate needing to laminate posters and other large documents, you'll need a larger machine such as the Fellowes Jupiter 125.

Pro: This laminator is compatible with laminating pouches that are 3 mil thick, or 5 mil thick index card size or smaller (a mil is 1/1000^th of an inch). Pouches of this thickness are pretty easy to find and they provide an adequate amount of protection for everyday documents.

Con: Thicker pouches, such as the 7 and 10 mil ones, cannot be used with this machine. They offer more protection than the 3 mil ones. Thus, if you plan on producing items that are either going to be handled constantly or exposed to the elements, a different laminator would be a good choice.

Pro: The Mars 95 is really easy to use, even for beginners. It has one preset temperature and it doesn't require the use of a carrier. Plus, it can laminate a a letter-sized document in just one minute, which is pretty impressive for a smaller laminator.

Con: While this device offers simple operation, the fact that it only offers one temperature setting means that it cannot perform cold lamination. A cold setting is essential if you want to work with thermally sensitive items including photographs. As for not using a carrier, you probably should so that the glue won't trickle out of the laminating pouch and possibly damage the machine. Finally, the fast laminating time is somewhat offset by the 8 minutes it takes for the Mars 95 to heat up.

More pros: Finally, there are a few pros about this machine that don't have corresponding cons. For one, if you don't have a lot of room for a laminator, this is a great machine to use. It only measures 3.5625" (height) x 16.9375" (width) x 6.5" (depth). The laminator also has a built-in carrying handle which makes it totally portable.

Conclusion: The Fellowes Mars 95 would be the machine to get if you're seeking an entry-level laminator. This device is easy to use, can process a variety of documents, and it's nice and compact so it will fit just about anywhere. (The carrying handle is a thoughtful addition.) While this machine isn't ideal for advanced users or if you need to laminate really large documents, it's a wise purchase if you just need something basic. If that's the case, be sure to check out the Mars 95 today.