Epson Photo Printer questions

[darkcyber]

I've had a Canon S900 for several years and it has done an awesome job on photo printing. I was at Sam's Club yesterday and saw an Epson R200 for $72.00...so I bought one to put on one of my other pc's.

Now my question. I've been reading through some of my pc magazines and seeing some stuff listed about the Epson printers having nozzle problems.

Is the nozzle issue some big problem with Epson printers? And exactly what kind of problem do they have?

Thanks!

 

[Lemon law]

In general three problems with low end Epsons are posted here and at other forums. (a) The construction of low end Epsons are not good and they seldom last longer than the warranty period. (b) Even with OEM ink Epson printheads clog at an unacceptable rate---this is partly due to a different base technology being used than in the more common thermal inkjets --and aggravated by the fact the ink used is pigment based rather than dye based. Fading wise--pigment is better but it often lacks vibrant colors. But its still a mixed bag--some high end epsons have a base of support in the photoprinting community and some users report no clogging.-----another general comment is that an Epson must be used almost daily to prevent clogging. (c) Perhaps the most damning problem is that
Epson printheads are not user removable or cleanable---its factory service or throw it away.--------and Canon printers have printheads that are user removable and cleanable in the very rare case they clog making the Canon the overwelming choice of the photoprinting community.------it also explains why so many shun HP and Lexmark----their printheads are on the cartridge itself------and hence the manufacter has a huge temtation to rip the consumer off on totally proprietary cartridges only they can make. But Canon may have now shot itself in the foot with their new chipped cartridges giving other manufacters a chance to cut into that market.

Just my take on the question-----others may differ.

 

[imported_DarkPenguin]

The professional photo community still prefers the Epson pigment ink based printers. Canon's ink just isn't fade resistent. (Even the new "100 year" inks. They last 100 years if kept in a very controlled environment.)

Epsons clog like crazy tho. Some will tell you to always turn it off between uses. Others to leave it on. Some will tell you to turn up the humidity.

Mine clogs no matter what. People with the high end models still complain about it. (But they tend to print a lot so it is less likely to happen to them.)

 

[Zepper]

Yup, the Epson uses piezo technology to squirt the ink and their nozzles are VERY fine. Piezo is considerably colder than the thermal technology most others use. The heat helps keep clogs from forming (unless you let your ink run dry - then it cooks the clog nice and solid... 🙂 ). And the heat can also burn out the nozzle(s) if you let it run dry. All you'll get if you let the Epsons run dry is a clog - so what's new...

. The diff between pigmented ink and dye based is covered above. Be very quick about changing ink in Epsons - get your stuff together and most importantly do not remove the original tank until you are within seconds of being able to plop the new one in. I've suggested that a tag team is advisable for changing epson tanks as the darned ink dries so fast. 😉 Running a mister or vaporizer in the vicinity of your printer while changing might also help slow the drying process a bit.

.bh.

 

[MiataPaul]

I have never had any problems with clogs on either of my Epson printers. I was a big fan of Cannon and I think my old Bubble Jet 200 will still work and has had about 40 or 50 cartridges in it with at least twice that number of "refills" with the cheap kits. Never could kill that printer. I wanted Color and looked at the cost to print per page and at the time it was lead by Epson, and I bought a 777i and never had any problems with it. It takes generics (I buy them at the computer shows for around $2 each cart. The ink fades quickly but I only use it for printing out drafts and things for the kids. I have a R200 and have had it for a bit over a year. I have never even had to run the "cleaner" function on it. I do admit I do not like the colors with generics, but color cannot be beat for $70. I have not had any problems with clogs, but I am going to go with a bulk ink setup if the printer is still printing well in the spring or I may spring for an 1800.