Epsom 'Compatible' Cartridges

[Chris UK]

With my Epsom C44 (same carts as C22 etc.) I've noticed something
interesting (sinister?).

These are 'chipped' cartridges - in adverts Epsom says this makes it
easy to swap cartridges about to make best use of the ink. (In the
instructions we are told that part-used cartridges mustn't be
re-inserted. But that's another story...)

When the original Epson colour cartridge neared the end, messages
began appearing, warning about ink levels down to 10 percent, then 5
percent, etc. Finally it stopped printing and demanded a new
cartridge. (Although none of the inks had actually run out.)

A consumer magazine (I think it was 'Which?') questioned Epsom about
printing being blocked while there was still ink remaining.

Epsom explained that (amongst other things) this was to prevent damage
caused by printing when the ink has run out.

Fair enough. I can understand that. Could make sense.

So WHY the following:

I used a 'compatible' replacement cartridge, and during the
installation process a message warned me that not using a genuine
cartridge could cause problems and invalidate the guarantee.

This new cartridge has now neared its end - but instead of the 10
percent / 5 percent messages it just gives me two options - swap it
now, or carry on until the ink runs out.

But surely - if I'm printing and the ink runs out, that will damage
the printer?

Looks to me like 'compatible' cartridge users are being lured into
damaging their printers.

Chris UK

- pissed off, and not even thinking about asking why new Canon &
Epson printers (and probably the rest) can only print on max. 90gsm
paper.

Unless of course any heavier paper is their 'own brand'.

Bastards.


Chris UK

 

[Gary Tait]

With my Epsom C44 (same carts as C22 etc.) I've noticed something
interesting (sinister?).

These are 'chipped' cartridges - in adverts Epsom says this makes it
easy to swap cartridges about to make best use of the ink. (In the
instructions we are told that part-used cartridges mustn't be
re-inserted. But that's another story...)

When the original Epson colour cartridge neared the end, messages
began appearing, warning about ink levels down to 10 percent, then 5
percent, etc. Finally it stopped printing and demanded a new
cartridge. (Although none of the inks had actually run out.)

A consumer magazine (I think it was 'Which?') questioned Epsom about
printing being blocked while there was still ink remaining.

Epsom explained that (amongst other things) this was to prevent damage
caused by printing when the ink has run out.

Fair enough. I can understand that. Could make sense.

So WHY the following:

I used a 'compatible' replacement cartridge, and during the
installation process a message warned me that not using a genuine
cartridge could cause problems and invalidate the guarantee.

This new cartridge has now neared its end - but instead of the 10
percent / 5 percent messages it just gives me two options - swap it
now, or carry on until the ink runs out.

But surely - if I'm printing and the ink runs out, that will damage
the printer?

Looks to me like 'compatible' cartridge users are being lured into
damaging their printers.

No, used are being shamed into using original cartridges.

 

[Gary Eickmeier]

With my Epsom C44 (same carts as C22 etc.) I've noticed something
interesting (sinister?).

Tee hee - sorry, I just can't resist - is this Epsom the healing salts
people? Not sure if they have it in the UK...

Gary Eickmeier

 

[tomcas]

With my Epsom C44 (same carts as C22 etc.) I've noticed something
interesting (sinister?).

These are 'chipped' cartridges - in adverts Epsom says this makes it
easy to swap cartridges about to make best use of the ink. (In the
instructions we are told that part-used cartridges mustn't be
re-inserted. But that's another story...)

When the original Epson colour cartridge neared the end, messages
began appearing, warning about ink levels down to 10 percent, then 5
percent, etc. Finally it stopped printing and demanded a new
cartridge. (Although none of the inks had actually run out.)

A consumer magazine (I think it was 'Which?') questioned Epsom about
printing being blocked while there was still ink remaining.

Epsom explained that (amongst other things) this was to prevent damage
caused by printing when the ink has run out.

Fair enough. I can understand that. Could make sense.

So WHY the following:

I used a 'compatible' replacement cartridge, and during the
installation process a message warned me that not using a genuine
cartridge could cause problems and invalidate the guarantee.

This new cartridge has now neared its end - but instead of the 10
percent / 5 percent messages it just gives me two options - swap it
now, or carry on until the ink runs out.

But surely - if I'm printing and the ink runs out, that will damage
the printer?

Looks to me like 'compatible' cartridge users are being lured into
damaging their printers.

It doesn't make any sense that a generic cartridge manufacturer would
want you to damage your printer, especially with their cartridges. Doing
so would quickly kill their customer base and future sales. I think they
are just giving you the option to stretch it a little bit although it's
risky. At the very least it allows you to print using only the other
cartridge. For instance, if the color cartridge happened to be empty you
could select to print in black only .

 

[Safetymom123]

If one of the cart. is empty you can't print. You can't just switch to
black.

 

[Michael]

Chris UK wrote:
[snip]

Looks to me like 'compatible' cartridge users are being lured into
damaging their printers.

It doesn't make any sense that a generic cartridge manufacturer would
want you to damage your printer, especially with their cartridges. Doing
so would quickly kill their customer base and future sales. I think they
are just giving you the option to stretch it a little bit although it's
risky. At the very least it allows you to print using only the other
cartridge. For instance, if the color cartridge happened to be empty you
could select to print in black only .

tomcas, the cart mfgr doesn't determine whether or not the printer
prints. The printer driver decides what to do, and therefore it's Epson
who:
1) refuses to print when an Epson cart is installed and is "empty"
2) gives the option to print when a compatible cart is installed and is
"low"

Why Epson refuses to print B&W when one or more color carts is empty is
a question for the ages. (This certainly is the case with the C-80.
Dunno about other models.)

 

[Bob Headrick]

Why Epson refuses to print B&W when one or more color carts is empty is
a question for the ages.

When one of the colors (or black) is empty the nozzles will be at risk of
clogging in the chambers that do not have sufficient ink. Inkjet printers rely
on spitting ink through the nozzles to keep them clear while the printheads are
out in the air. During times the printer is not printing the printheads are
parked in the service station the humidity is controlled to prevent the nozzles
drying out, but if the color printheads are waving around in the air while the
black is printing they could clog if there were not sufficient ink available
for servicing.

It is no conspiracy; the driver/firmware is designed to protect the printer.

Regards,
Bob Headrick, not speaking for my employer HP

 

[tomcas]

I'm aware that's the way the OEM cartridges behave but isn't Chris
saying that his Compatible cartridge is performing differently?