which printers don't have built in print heads?

[CyberCowboy]

Okay.. i'm tired of epson and how they build their print heads right into the machine. So when i haven't used my printer in awhile, the ink dries, and i can't use my printer anymore, (forcing me to buy a new printer).

What manufacturers other than HP makes their printers without the built-in print heads . I like how HP makes the heads part of the ink cartridge... seems like a good idea.

 

[Zim Hosein]

Lexmark has ink carts similar to HP's 45A's and the like, but be warned, even HP is in the process of using seperate ink tanks and print heads :|

 

[CyberCowboy]

anyone else besides lexmark? i really don't like them...

 

[Maki]

You can try canon. The heads are not part of the cartridge but they are user replacable. I don't know that anyone knows what they are going to go for. Of course they don't clog nearly so much as the epson clogmaster line.

Lexmark has insanely expensive ink.

 

[Yocona]

Hey Cowboy,
Your right about HP not having built-in print heads. Both of the HPs I've owned have had print heads separate from the ink cartridges--4 cartridges & 4 print heads. I have had great results with HP. Currently I own an HP cp1700 (wide format office printer with postscript ability), and it puts out great quality work. HP's ink costs are really good, and the print heads last for quite a few ink cartridges. I recently got an HP d145 all-in-one--it kicks butt too.

 

[vailr]

You may have luck with using Windex. Spray Windex on the small sponge that the print head rests upon when idle. You'll need to unplug or otherwise remove power, when the print head is momentarily located away from the sponge. Then soak the sponge, restore power. The print head will return to resting on the sponge. Power off for an hour. Then run the cleaning cycle. Another possibility is to use a syringe filled with Windex, and force Windex into the small part that pokes into the underside of the ink cartridge. Good luck!

 

[Doh!]

Originally posted by: Maki
You can try canon. The heads are not part of the cartridge but they are user replacable. I don't know that anyone knows what they are going to go for. Of course they don't clog nearly so much as the epson clogmaster line.

Lexmark has insanely expensive ink.

 

[tcsenter]

Lexmark has insanely expensive ink

The razor blade business.

Not only are Lexmark cartridges expensive, but the built-in heads are not designed to withstand refilling. I've ordered a few 'remanufactured' (refilled) Lexmark cartridges from a few different places and the results are always crap. Ink heads have clogged/non-functioning nozzles, constantly drying up if you don't use them for a couple days, requiring you to remove the cartridge and 'clean' the print head manually using a moist paper towel. So I've had little other choice than to buy a new cartridge each time.

The next printer I buy will be a Canon. My sister has a BJC-4300 that is four years old now and she replaced the heads once, the part was like $40.00. She prints 2x as much as I do and probably has spent half as much on ink.

 

[Slogun]

I moved from epson to HP and now Canon.

I think they are currently making the best printers.

Canon doesn't clog, ink is a little cheaper than HP, probably because you dont buy a print head with every cartridge and the printing is fast and superb.

My S900 prints beautiful photos.

 

[Doh!]

My wife is hooked on using canon i850. I bought 18 ink cartridges for about $36 at megatoners (free shipping). I think you can barely buy a single catridge of HP/Lexmark for that price. Ink quality isn't bad as long as high quality paper is used.

 

[Ravenit]

Using a HP 930c does photo quality
No problems whatever Different Black and colour cartrige.
Even refilled the black, just had to replug up the hole with putty.