I have had the i850 for about 1 1/2 years. It has performed
flawlessly. I used the original ink that came with it and have used
20 generic ink tanks of each color. Now I have to deep clean each
time I use it and print a nozzle check to get the colors to look
right. This doesn't always work. I print a photo and sometimes the
colors on the edges are not true. I called a local Canon authorized
service center and he said it needs purging. He could do it for $85
plus parts. I must bring it in with genuine canon ink before he would
work on it. He said my problem was caused by using generic ink. I
love the printer but the cost to repair is about 1/2 of getting a new
printer.

My wife has a I560 which puts out a great product, but is much slower
than the i850. Since i850's can't be purchased any more. I'm looking
for a recommendations.

Canon now puts a camera input device on all the printers, which I am
not interested in.

Are there any directions for purging this printer my self? Is it
recommended?

"El Cugino" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>I have had the i850 for about 1 1/2 years. It has performed
> flawlessly. I used the original ink that came with it and have used
> 20 generic ink tanks of each color. Now I have to deep clean each
> time I use it and print a nozzle check to get the colors to look
> right. This doesn't always work. I print a photo and sometimes the
> colors on the edges are not true. I called a local Canon authorized
> service center and he said it needs purging. He could do it for $85
> plus parts. I must bring it in with genuine canon ink before he would
> work on it. He said my problem was caused by using generic ink. I
> love the printer but the cost to repair is about 1/2 of getting a new
> printer.
>
> My wife has a I560 which puts out a great product, but is much slower
> than the i850. Since i850's can't be purchased any more. I'm looking
> for a recommendations.
>
> Canon now puts a camera input device on all the printers, which I am
> not interested in.
>
> Are there any directions for purging this printer my self? Is it
> recommended?

How about a refurbished i860?
http://shop4.outpost.com/product/3783376
--
Cari (MS-MVP Windows Client - Printing, Imaging & Hardware)
www.coribright.com

Visit this link and U will find the solution
http://www.inkjetsaver.com/clean.html
"El Cugino" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> I have had the i850 for about 1 1/2 years. It has performed
> flawlessly. I used the original ink that came with it and have used
> 20 generic ink tanks of each color. Now I have to deep clean each
> time I use it and print a nozzle check to get the colors to look
> right. This doesn't always work. I print a photo and sometimes the
> colors on the edges are not true. I called a local Canon authorized
> service center and he said it needs purging. He could do it for $85
> plus parts. I must bring it in with genuine canon ink before he would
> work on it. He said my problem was caused by using generic ink. I
> love the printer but the cost to repair is about 1/2 of getting a new
> printer.
>
> My wife has a I560 which puts out a great product, but is much slower
> than the i850. Since i850's can't be purchased any more. I'm looking
> for a recommendations.
>
> Canon now puts a camera input device on all the printers, which I am
> not interested in.
>
> Are there any directions for purging this printer my self? Is it
> recommended?

PS: This printheads last for the life of the printer.
"El Cugino" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> I have had the i850 for about 1 1/2 years. It has performed
> flawlessly. I used the original ink that came with it and have used
> 20 generic ink tanks of each color. Now I have to deep clean each
> time I use it and print a nozzle check to get the colors to look
> right. This doesn't always work. I print a photo and sometimes the
> colors on the edges are not true. I called a local Canon authorized
> service center and he said it needs purging. He could do it for $85
> plus parts. I must bring it in with genuine canon ink before he would
> work on it. He said my problem was caused by using generic ink. I
> love the printer but the cost to repair is about 1/2 of getting a new
> printer.
>
> My wife has a I560 which puts out a great product, but is much slower
> than the i850. Since i850's can't be purchased any more. I'm looking
> for a recommendations.
>
> Canon now puts a camera input device on all the printers, which I am
> not interested in.
>
> Are there any directions for purging this printer my self? Is it
> recommended?

On Sat, 26 Jun 2004 09:00:36 GMT, "giorgio" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>Visit this link and U will find the solution
>http://www.inkjetsaver.com/clean.html


Thats the link I was trying to find again for another post , thanks...

On Sat, 26 Jun 2004 01:51:32 GMT, (E-Mail Removed) (El Cugino)
wrote:


Trash your generic inks and buy some proven bulk inks from
www.alotofthings.com and perhaps some blank empty cartridges made to
refill from www.inkjetgoodies.com.

I have the 850 for about as long as you with no trouble. I went
through maybe 6 refills on it so far and about 8 or 10 on the black. I
always used formulabs ink, which is what you will get from joe at
alotofthings.com

I never had a problem but it definately sounds like you need a good
cleaning there. It is something you CAN do on your own.

Let us know how you make out with it

El Cugino wrote:
> I have had the i850 for about 1 1/2 years. It has performed
> flawlessly. I used the original ink that came with it and have used
> 20 generic ink tanks of each color. Now I have to deep clean each
> time I use it and print a nozzle check to get the colors to look
> right. This doesn't always work. I print a photo and sometimes the
> colors on the edges are not true. I called a local Canon authorized
> service center and he said it needs purging. He could do it for $85
> plus parts. I must bring it in with genuine canon ink before he would
> work on it. He said my problem was caused by using generic ink. I
> love the printer but the cost to repair is about 1/2 of getting a new
> printer.
>
> My wife has a I560 which puts out a great product, but is much slower
> than the i850. Since i850's can't be purchased any more. I'm looking
> for a recommendations.
>
> Canon now puts a camera input device on all the printers, which I am
> not interested in.
>
> Are there any directions for purging this printer my self? Is it
> recommended?

I've used great refill ink from atlanticinkjet.com on my Canon i850
for about 16 months, many times refilled alternating sets of cartridges
and have experienced absolutely no problems - never had a clog, like my
last (forever) clogging Epson 740, and never been forced to clean the
print heads because it wasn't printing cleanly. Zero maintenance, and
that is the absolute truth! I do press the head cleaning option once,
and only once, when I replace the cartridges, just to charge the system.
When one colour is out I change all three as a unit with the backup
set of cartridges and then refill the three colors and put them into
storage. The black gets changed separately.

Don't use "universal" type ink and don't use the tempting, dirt cheap
compatible cartridges you see on eBay. I took one look at them and threw
them out. You're asking for trouble.

Personally, I wouldn't purge, I'd go for a new printer. The i850 has
been replaced by the i860. I believe it's the same printer with just
the camera input connection added. They're not charging anything
extra because I noticed the i860 costs less than what I paid for the
i850! With the prices dropping I'd probably consider moving up to
the i960, or beyond if anything goes haywire on this current i850.
My sister uses the i850 too, same high quality ink (I refill it for
her), and also has a flawless record with her printer.

-Taliesyn

On Sat, 03 Jul 2004 16:01:34 -0400, Taliesyn <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:

>I've used great refill ink from atlanticinkjet.com on my Canon i850
>for about 16 months, many times refilled alternating sets of cartridges
>and have experienced absolutely no problems - never had a clog, like my
>last (forever) clogging Epson 740, and never been forced to clean the
>print heads because it wasn't printing cleanly. Zero maintenance, and
>that is the absolute truth! I do press the head cleaning option once,
>and only once, when I replace the cartridges, just to charge the system.
>When one colour is out I change all three as a unit with the backup
>set of cartridges and then refill the three colors and put them into
>storage. The black gets changed separately.
>
>Don't use "universal" type ink and don't use the tempting, dirt cheap
>compatible cartridges you see on eBay. I took one look at them and threw
>them out. You're asking for trouble.
>
>Personally, I wouldn't purge, I'd go for a new printer. The i850 has
>been replaced by the i860. I believe it's the same printer with just
>the camera input connection added. They're not charging anything
>extra because I noticed the i860 costs less than what I paid for the
>i850! With the prices dropping I'd probably consider moving up to
>the i960, or beyond if anything goes haywire on this current i850.
>My sister uses the i850 too, same high quality ink (I refill it for
>her), and also has a flawless record with her printer.
>
>-Taliesyn


Actually, the I860 now has photo black. Its great for those shadows no
need to use pigmented ink which is uses for text. The pigmented inks
take away from the glossiness of the print and overall much better
and truer contrast as compared to a 4 color print.

I never thought it would make a difference until I got my 960 and
compared to my 850, theres a big difference in black and gray
transitions. A much more natural composition with the 960 which has
the die photo black only. I am sure the 860 will prove to be just as
good with the black and gray handling.