Recommendations for new printer please

[Ron P]

I am about to start looking for a new inkjet printer and would appreciate
some help.

These are some parameters that I have identified for this general purpose
printer:

1. Easily refillable cartridges
2. If cartridge chipped, easily reset
3. Individual colour cartridges
4. Printing on CDs would be nice but not necessary
5. USB connection


Any suggestions??

Thank you

 

[rafe b]

I am about to start looking for a new inkjet printer and would appreciate
some help.

These are some parameters that I have identified for this general purpose
printer:

1. Easily refillable cartridges
2. If cartridge chipped, easily reset
3. Individual colour cartridges
4. Printing on CDs would be nice but not necessary
5. USB connection

#1 Still refilling carts? Why not check out a
continuous-ink system? A lot less trouble,
in the long run. Or get a CIS, or an Epson
Pro printer (maybe pre-owned) or an
HP DesignJet (large, stationary carts
and *excellent* ink efficiency.)

#2 excludes HP and Lexmark, as far as I know.
Epsons are chipped, but most models have
resetters.

#3 applies currently to almost all brands
except maybe Lexmark/Dell and low-end
HP desktop models and MFPs from all
brands.

#4 might recommend Epson R220, R300,
R320, R800, etc.

#5 (USB) would be a freebie on almost any
new printer, and some have Fireware also.


Offhand, it sounds like you're a good match
for an Epson. Maybe Canon, except I don't
know if Canons have a straight-through print
path for CD/DVD.

Odd, but you didn't say anything about
print longevity as a criterion. That would
also recommend Epson.


rafe b
www.terrapinphoto.com

 

[Gary Tait]

I am about to start looking for a new inkjet printer and would
appreciate some help.

These are some parameters that I have identified for this general
purpose printer:

1. Easily refillable cartridges
2. If cartridge chipped, easily reset
3. Individual colour cartridges
4. Printing on CDs would be nice but not necessary
5. USB connection


Any suggestions??

Thank you

Canon Pixma iP4000 if you can find one, 4200 otherwise.

The 4200 is chipped, but you can "turn off" the chip if you wish to
forsake ink monitoring. They are working on resetting the chip, I
suppose.

CD printing:
The hardware is capable of it, but it requires a CD tray and a service
menu mod to the printer.

 

[DK]

I am about to start looking for a new inkjet printer and would appreciate
some help.

These are some parameters that I have identified for this general purpose
printer:

1. Easily refillable cartridges
2. If cartridge chipped, easily reset
3. Individual colour cartridges
4. Printing on CDs would be nice but not necessary
5. USB connection


Any suggestions??

Definitely Canon PIXMA iP4000R (available from Amazone, for example).
iP4000 is what you require but it's much harder to find. 4000R has USB
*and* Wireless and you can use them both simultaneously if you configure
both and select "Enable printer pooling".

The biggest problem on your list is CD printing as only Epson
in the USA will do that out of the box. Yet, ip4000R will do it
if you invest in CD tray and install a European driver.

DK

 

[zakezuke]

Yet, ip4000R will do it

if you invest in CD tray and install a European driver.

You don't need the European driver. I'm using the drivers out of the
box, the US box.
http://pixma.webpal.info/ You do need to tweek with the printer's
settings, tweek with the registry, and download software, but you don't
need to download a driver other than what you got in the box.

 

[zakezuke]

1. Easily refillable cartridges

#1: Canon. While the new cartridges have chips onboard, they can be
refilled. You will lose the meter, and get a warning "print at own
risk".

#2: Epson. Third party cartridges exist that can be reilled. I find
the spongeless to be harder to work with, but not impossible.

I'm not sure on the current HP models. I have no info.

2. If cartridge chipped, easily reset

You can tell canon to ignore the chip. This will work so long as you
use OEM tanks, third party tanks with chips do not exist yet.
Epson you can get a chip resetter or other chips or cartridges with
spiffy self resetting chips.
HP I have no idea about the current generation.

3. Individual colour cartridges

HP 8250, most of the canons except for a few new sub $100 units, Epson.

4. Printing on CDs would be nice but not
necessary

Epson out of the box. R200 series, R300 series, R800 series. One of
the higher end AIOs also supports this.

Canon "can" on most models but you have to order the tray from e-bay or
make one.

 

[Ron P]

#1 Still refilling carts? Why not check out a
continuous-ink system? A lot less trouble,
in the long run. Or get a CIS, or an Epson
Pro printer (maybe pre-owned) or an
HP DesignJet (large, stationary carts
and *excellent* ink efficiency.)

#2 excludes HP and Lexmark, as far as I know.
Epsons are chipped, but most models have
resetters.

#3 applies currently to almost all brands
except maybe Lexmark/Dell and low-end
HP desktop models and MFPs from all
brands.

#4 might recommend Epson R220, R300,
R320, R800, etc.

#5 (USB) would be a freebie on almost any
new printer, and some have Fireware also.


Offhand, it sounds like you're a good match
for an Epson. Maybe Canon, except I don't
know if Canons have a straight-through print
path for CD/DVD.

Odd, but you didn't say anything about
print longevity as a criterion. That would
also recommend Epson.


rafe b
www.terrapinphoto.com

Thank you. The continuous ink option sounds very inviting. I am going to
check that out for sure.

The longevity of printing hasn't been a problem as I have prints that I made
20 years ago and they haven't deteriorated to any great extent and I still
have the files from which they were created so I can just reprint as I need.
There isn't any "archiving" necessary but thanks for the thought.

I have made a list of the printers that you mention and will check them out.

Thank you

Ron

 

[Ron P]

Canon Pixma iP4000 if you can find one, 4200 otherwise.

The 4200 is chipped, but you can "turn off" the chip if you wish to
forsake ink monitoring. They are working on resetting the chip, I
suppose.

CD printing:
The hardware is capable of it, but it requires a CD tray and a service
menu mod to the printer.

Thank you. I have taken a brief look at the 4200 but was put off by the
chip. If it can be turned off I can live with that. I will look into the
service menu mod that you mention.

Thank you.
Ron

 

[Ron P]

Definitely Canon PIXMA iP4000R (available from Amazone, for example).
iP4000 is what you require but it's much harder to find. 4000R has USB
*and* Wireless and you can use them both simultaneously if you configure
both and select "Enable printer pooling".

The biggest problem on your list is CD printing as only Epson
in the USA will do that out of the box. Yet, ip4000R will do it
if you invest in CD tray and install a European driver.

DK

Thank you. I will check on the possibility of the 4000R along with the
European driver.....I wonder if I couldn't just buy a printer from somewhere
in Europe if the correct power configuration could be found.

Ron

 

[Ron P]

You don't need the European driver. I'm using the drivers out of the
box, the US box.
http://pixma.webpal.info/ You do need to tweek with the printer's
settings, tweek with the registry, and download software, but you don't
need to download a driver other than what you got in the box.

Thanks for the link. I've bookmarked it and will check out everything that
it says.

Ron

 

[Gary Tait]

Thank you. I have taken a brief look at the 4200 but was put off by the
chip. If it can be turned off I can live with that. I will look into the
service menu mod that you mention.

Thank you.
Ron

http://pixma-faq.periastron.com/index.html

http://pixma.webpal.info/

 

[Gary Tait]

Thank you. I will check on the possibility of the 4000R along with the
European driver.....I wonder if I couldn't just buy a printer from
somewhere in Europe if the correct power configuration could be found.

You don't need the European driver, just a registry hack. The Service Menu
mod is easy as pie, you could do it yourself, or pay some kid to.

All you need external to what is included is:

A: The tray. You can buy them over Ebay, or make your own.

B: The CD labelling software. That is downloadable.

 

[Burt]

I am about to start looking for a new inkjet printer and would appreciate
some help.

These are some parameters that I have identified for this general purpose
printer:

1. Easily refillable cartridges
2. If cartridge chipped, easily reset
3. Individual colour cartridges
4. Printing on CDs would be nice but not necessary
5. USB connection


Any suggestions??

Thank you

Ron - You've had several recommendations for the ip4000. Very difficult to
find one now, and the ones I've seen on ebay are priced quite high. I
picked up three new ip5000 printers a few months ago on a closeout at
Staples for $100 each. Check around and also google it as there may still
be a few left in the pipeline.

 

[Tony]

Thank you. I will check on the possibility of the 4000R along with the
European driver.....I wonder if I couldn't just buy a printer from somewhere
in Europe if the correct power configuration could be found.

Ron

Ron
Many of the European models have universal power supplies that will work in the
USA as well as Europe (the reverse is usually not true), you would only need to
replace the plug or buy a plug adaptor. Worth checking on the compliance plate.
Tony

 

[Bob]

I am about to start looking for a new inkjet printer and would appreciate
some help.

These are some parameters that I have identified for this general purpose
printer:

1. Easily refillable cartridges
2. If cartridge chipped, easily reset
3. Individual colour cartridges
4. Printing on CDs would be nice but not necessary
5. USB connection


Any suggestions??

I think you need to identify a price range and intended use for anyone
to make a suggestion.

based on your parameters, a low level Epson will do - but if you add
"does not clog head easily" then Epson is out

 

[Gary Tait]

Ron
Many of the European models have universal power supplies that will
work in the USA as well as Europe (the reverse is usually not true),
you would only need to replace the plug or buy a plug adaptor. Worth
checking on the compliance plate. Tony

Actually, it would be as simple as buying a US replacement cord that
matches the fitting on the printer, which at least with my Canon
expierience, is all the same non-polarized figure-8 cord which is standard
and easy to find. When I replaced my i320, I just left its power and USB
cables, and connected the old cords right up to the printer.

 

[zakezuke]

Actually, it would be as simple as buying a US replacement cord that

matches the fitting on the printer, which at least with my Canon
expierience, is all the same non-polarized figure-8 cord which is standard
and easy to find.

Not only easy to find, but under $6.00 from canon directly. About $1.00
for the cable, about $5.00 to ship. When in doubt, as in if you have
a model not marked 100-240v we're talking $25.00 for cord and cable
from canon directly.

-ip4000-
QH2-2725-000 CORD, POWER, 100V-120V
$1.36
QK1-1068-000 AC ADAPTER: 100V-120V 50/60HZ
$18.51
Shipping
$5.00
Total
$24.87
--------- data by "iSAWaUFO" on http://www.stevesforums.com/

 

[Gary Tait]

Not only easy to find, but under $6.00 from canon directly. About $1.00
for the cable, about $5.00 to ship. When in doubt, as in if you have
a model not marked 100-240v we're talking $25.00 for cord and cable
from canon directly.

Yes, but as easy as you can use an OEM cordm and aftermarket cor is
available cheaper locally, but of course, unless they will cause clogs.

 

[measekite]

THE IP5200 IS BETTER. THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE CHIP. I DO NOT SEE
ANY SERVICE BULLETINS ON THAT CANON WEBSITE INDICATING USERS ARE HAVING
A PROBLEM WITH IT.

 

[Gary Tait]

THE IP5200 IS BETTER. THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE CHIP. I DO NOT SEE
ANY SERVICE BULLETINS ON THAT CANON WEBSITE INDICATING USERS ARE HAVING
A PROBLEM WITH IT.

The 5200 is chipped. There is no problem with that itself

The chip however is a problem with frugal customers that wish to refill
(which reliable quality ink is available, and done properly, works), and
you won't see that on any service bulletin.