[NTLUG:Discuss] Color printer for Linux

[Terry]

On 3/22/06, Terry <trryhend at gmail.com> wrote:
> On 3/21/06, Chris Cox <cjcox at acm.org> wrote:
> > Terry wrote:
> > > On 3/21/06, Patrick R. Michaud <pmichaud at pobox.com> wrote:
> > >>On Mon, Mar 20, 2006 at 03:15:16PM -0600, Chris Cox wrote:
> > >>>So... I love the photo quality you get with the Epson.... but...
> > >>>
> > >>>The heads do clog... and on the Epson (unlike HP) they aren't
> > >>>built into the cartridge,, so when they clog, they clog and
> > >>>are are VERY HARD to unclog.  Mine went with use for maybe
> > >>>a month or so and I've got one head that simply will NOT
> > >>>unclog... sigh...
> > >
> > > The epson is more economical to run because cartridges are ink
> > > containers only and so they are a lot cheaper, cartridges with built
> > > in print heads are a lot more expensive, so that makes your per-page
> > > print cost higher.
> >
> > If only this were actually true.   You really don't feel
> > the price difference at all.  Both are expensive.  Even if
> > you manage to find clone deals (because HP vs. Epson, they
> > really do cost about the same) you won't save all that
> > much.
> >
> > After 3 cartridge swaps you will have more than paid
> > for the printer.. so much so that you could have just
> > bought another printer with it's mini-starter cartridges
> > and economically it works out the same.
> >
> > >
> > >>Just to add a "me too" to this -- my father had an Epson printer
> > >>for about a year when the print head clogged, and nothing we tried
> > >>was able to unclog it.  The solution ended up being a new (HP) printer.
> > >
> > > You'll be unhappy when it comes time to buy new print cartridges.
> > > (If it's a low end sub-$100 printer, you might as well ditch it and
> > > buy another printer).... BUT... We have strayed off topic here ....
> > > sorry....  :)
> >
> > Epsons Dura* inks are not easily cloned.  You can
> > try to use cloned inks, you'll usually get more clogs
> > and poorer quality output.
> >
> > You need a cartrige reprogrammer (or other technique)
> > to allow you get the most out of the ink cartridges.
> >
> > With that said, the low end Epson stuff has a bigger
> > clone cartridge market.  I'm talking about their
> > photo quality ink jets.  There are a couple of brands
> > that are ok... but you'll save a couple of bucks... not
> > $50... which is what I'd need to save to warrant
> > keeping the Epson long term.
> >
> > Since I've used both HP and Epson Inkjets, here's my observations:
> >
> > EPSON pros
> >
> > 1. Excellent photo print quality.  No need for professional
> > photo finishing.  Again, I use the C8x versions, which
> > are general purpose.
> >
> > 2. Good speed.  Epson makes a line of photo printers
> > as well, but you'll lose the "good speed" aspect.
> >
> > EPSON cons
> >
> > 1. Text quality is poor unless you run highest res, then
> > it's VERY slow.
> >
> > 2. Ink cost is on par with HP, but no new heads means
> > there is a clogging potential.
> >
> > HP pros
> >
> > 1. Excellect text, very sharp even at default settings.
> >
> > 2. Ink cartridges are easy to find, have heads in them.
> >
> > HP cons
> >
> > 1. Photo quality is just ok.  You'll be able to tell
> > it's an inkjet.
> >
> > 2. Tend to pay too much for the HP name.
> >
> > In the $100 arena, the Epson is certainly better overall,
> > but both are cheap with regards to quality at this
> > level... so you might have paper handling issues, etc.
> > over time.
> >
> > I do not see a difference in ink costs at all.
> > As a percentage of the overall purchase of the black
> > and color cartridges, there just isn't any large
> > savings Epson vs. HP there.
>
> Maybe HP has dropped their prices and Epson has raised theirs
> recently, but the price comparisons I've made in the stores I visit,
> the Epson section had prices marked 20% or so cheaper than HPs
> section.
> And I just helped my friend order a set of after market refilled
> cartridges for his C84 for $27, so ... I dono, maybe you're right, but
> I just don't think so.
>
>
> And as far as the clogging problem, I'm not seeing any evidence of
> that either.  I've had an 825 for several years now and recently
> retrieved it from the barn where it's been stored for over 7 months,
> plugged it in, and it printed like a charm.
>
> I refill the cartridges for my 825 because it is so very easy to do.
> And yes, I have the little device to reset the chip and if I'm not
> mistaken, I only paid about $10 for it so that's no big deal either.
>
> I have no problem with HP, in fact I have an old HP-5L that has given
> me good service for several years now and the toner cartridge is
> second to none in the area of longevity.  But for Ink Jet, Epson is my
> pick. For the most part, (when compared to HP), they [the ink cartridges] contain more ink,
> and they're cheaper, (at least they were last time I checked).
>

When you compare the amount of ink you get;  The Epson Cartridges by
and large, contain more ink than the HP ones, therefore making them
cheaper, but then I guess you'd have to