Canon i450 vs Pixma iP1600 - which to keep?

[Peabody]

I've been using a Canon i450 for the last year or so, but recently
bought a new computer which came with a Pixma iP1600. The Pixma box
is still unopened, and I might be able to sell it for a few bucks.
But I'd like to get some guidance on which one to keep. I assume
the Pixma, like the i450, is essentially a $50 printer, so the real
question has to do with ink cost.

I use the printer very little, just for an occasional statement or
invoice or .pdf printout on plain paper. I've never printed a
picture, and don't intend to.

My impression of the i450 is that most of the small ink cartridge is
used up in automatic cleanings which the printer assumes are
necessary after being off for several weeks. I could be wrong about
that, but every time I turn it on, it spends a lot of time whirring
and clicking, and the ink seems to go pretty fast.

The i450 uses BCI-24 cartridges, which is 9 ml for black. The Pixma
iP1600 box says PG-40 for black, but I can't find how much ink that
is.

I've gone through four blacks on the i450, and the color just ran
out, so I'm faced with replacing both if I'm going to continue using
it. But before doing that, I wanted to get some guidance about
switching to the Pixma from you guys.

What are your thoughts? Is one clearly better for my usage pattern?

 

[Gary Tait]

I've been using a Canon i450 for the last year or so, but recently
bought a new computer which came with a Pixma iP1600. The Pixma box
is still unopened, and I might be able to sell it for a few bucks.
But I'd like to get some guidance on which one to keep. I assume
the Pixma, like the i450, is essentially a $50 printer, so the real
question has to do with ink cost.

I use the printer very little, just for an occasional statement or
invoice or .pdf printout on plain paper. I've never printed a
picture, and don't intend to.

My impression of the i450 is that most of the small ink cartridge is
used up in automatic cleanings which the printer assumes are
necessary after being off for several weeks. I could be wrong about
that, but every time I turn it on, it spends a lot of time whirring
and clicking, and the ink seems to go pretty fast.

The i450 uses BCI-24 cartridges, which is 9 ml for black. The Pixma
iP1600 box says PG-40 for black, but I can't find how much ink that
is.

I've gone through four blacks on the i450, and the color just ran
out, so I'm faced with replacing both if I'm going to continue using
it. But before doing that, I wanted to get some guidance about
switching to the Pixma from you guys.

What are your thoughts? Is one clearly better for my usage pattern?

I'd keep the i450, it can at least be openly refilled. When it fails, get
a laser, or sell the 450 now too, and get a laser, which is actually more
suitable to your needs.

The iP1600, in addition to using chipped carts, has the head-on-cart
system. I don't know how that would take to refilling, or what't you'd
accept buying only OEM carts.

 

[measekite]

@dukeread03:




I'd keep the i450, it can at least be openly refilled.

WHAT ARE THE OTHER DISADVANTAGES.

When it fails, get
a laser, or sell the 450 now too, and get a laser, which is actually more
suitable to your needs.

The iP1600, in addition to using chipped carts, has the head-on-cart
system.

ANOTHER PIECE OF TRASH

I don't know how that would take to refilling,

WHO CARES

 

[measekite]

I've been using a Canon i450 for the last year or so, but recently
bought a new computer which came with a Pixma iP1600. The Pixma box
is still unopened, and I might be able to sell it for a few bucks.

BY ALL MEANS DO SO

But I'd like to get some guidance on which one to keep.
NEITHER.

I assume
the Pixma, like the i450, is essentially a $50 printer, so the real
question has to do with ink cost.

I use the printer very little, just for an occasional statement or
invoice or .pdf printout on plain paper. I've never printed a
picture, and don't intend to.

YOU NEED A B/W LASER

 

[Peabody]

Gary Tait says...

I'd keep the i450, it can at least be openly refilled.
When it fails, get a laser, or sell the 450 now too, and
get a laser, which is actually more suitable to your
needs.

The iP1600, in addition to using chipped carts, has the
head-on-cart system. I don't know how that would take to
refilling, or what't you'd accept buying only OEM carts.

Well I'm confused. First, I thought Canon didn't use chips.
But second, I see refill kits at re-inks.com for the PG-40
and CL-41 which the IP1600 uses, and it doesn't say anything
about "resetting".

But I also notice that they have kits for the BCI-24
carts that the i450 uses. I wonder if those would work ok.

Is there a generally recognized best place to get refill
kits with good inks? The BCI-24 carts use pigmented inks as
I remember.

 

[Taliesyn]

Gary Tait says...



Well I'm confused. First, I thought Canon didn't use chips.
But second, I see refill kits at re-inks.com for the PG-40
and CL-41 which the IP1600 uses, and it doesn't say anything
about "resetting".

But I also notice that they have kits for the BCI-24
carts that the i450 uses. I wonder if those would work ok.

Is there a generally recognized best place to get refill
kits with good inks? The BCI-24 carts use pigmented inks as
I remember.

There is no recognized "best place". Those of us who refill seem to have
our own favorites, for whatever reason. I'm somewhat limited as some
sellers won't ship to Canada, so my choices are a little more narrow.

I have used re-inks (also known as atlanticinkjet.com). Am using
hobbicolors.com inks at the moment. Just thought I needed a change.
I don't believe Hobbicolors has inks for the current line of Canon
printers.

Yes, the current line of Canon cartridges has chips on them and
Re-inks has the specified inks. It's best you contact them for the
question about resetting the chips, which I doubt anyone here knows
enough about. I know they can be refilled but I think you would have to
operate without the ink level monitor. This is a new design and it will
take time for the correct chip resetters and a larger choice of inks to
arrive on the market. It is for this reason I decided to wait a year
before purchasing these new printers.

-Taliesyn

 

[Gary Tait]

Gary Tait says...



Well I'm confused. First, I thought Canon didn't use chips.

On the ChromaLife100 printers they do.

But second, I see refill kits at re-inks.com for the PG-40
and CL-41 which the IP1600 uses, and it doesn't say anything
about "resetting".

But I also notice that they have kits for the BCI-24
carts that the i450 uses. I wonder if those would work ok.

They should work.

Is there a generally recognized best place to get refill
kits with good inks? The BCI-24 carts use pigmented inks as
I remember.

Read about the bets place to get refill inks around here, for other Canon
printers.

 

[measekite]

@dukeread04:




On the ChromaLife100 printers they do.




They should work.




Read about the bets place to get refill inks around here, for other Canon
printers.

THERE IS NOT BEST PLACE. THEY ARE ALL EQUAL. NONE WILL TELL YOU WHAT
YOU ARE SELLING SO YOU MAY GET THE SAME EXACT THING FROM MANY SOURCES.

 

[Prime]

measekite <[email protected]> posted the exciting message

THERE IS NOT BEST PLACE. THEY ARE ALL EQUAL. NONE WILL TELL YOU WHAT
YOU ARE SELLING SO YOU MAY GET THE SAME EXACT THING FROM MANY SOURCES.

None tell him what he is selling, because he is buying.

If I buy my Canon printer from Fry's or Circuit City, I am getting the
exact same thing from many sources. Seems good to me.

You have a butt clog of massive proportions. I suggest you see a
proctologist.

 

[measekite]

measekite <[email protected]> posted the exciting message





None tell him what he is selling, because he is buying.

If I buy my Canon printer from Fry's or Circuit City, I am getting the
exact same thing from many sources. Seems good to me.

You have a butt clog of massive proportions. I suggest you see a
proctologist.

I TOOK YOUR ADVICE. I WENT TO A PROCTOLOGIST. HE ADVISED ME TO ASK YOU
TO REMOVE YOUR TONGUE SO MY PROBLEM WILL BE OVER.