Epson C84 vs. HP 5150

[Tom]

Tired of buying $50 print heads for a BJC-2100 (no doubt user error for
the most part, but it's time to start fresh).

Pretty much narrowed it down to the Epson C84 and the HP 5150.

I like the seperate color cartridges on the Epson and what seems to
be cheaper cost per page. The HP is appealing for the new printhead
with each cart. That seems key based on my experience with the Canon.
HP's solid rep doesn't hurt.

Beyond that I seek guidance from the more informed, particularly whether
I'm over-sensitive on the need for a new printhead with each cart.

Don't print a lot, and mostly text, though a new machine may lead to
doing a lot of color CDR artwork.

Thanks for any comments.

Tom

 

[Chip Orange]

HP has *always* had lousy driver software; very frustrating to own and work
with, even though their hardware has been solid.

 

[Mary]

Tom, I didn't see the original of your message.

I had a Canon 2100 for a few years and I really liked it. But I bought a
printhead for $70.00 (thats what they cost in Canadian dollars), and it
didn't last long. I then bought an Epson C64 last October. I think its
similar to a C84.

This is just my experience - I don't find the separate color cartridges to
be of any cost saving benefit. All colors pretty well go at the same time or
close to it, so you have to buy three of them at one time, but from what I
understand, the three cartridges are about the same price as the 3 colors in
one cartridges (my daughter has a C62 Epson which is the 3 in 1 color
cartridges). I also find that the black cartridge on the Epson doesn't last
as long as the Canon 2100 cartridges and the Canons were smaller.The last
couple of times I got all my Epson cartridges refilled and it seemed to be
ok. Doesn't last any longer than the brand name, but costs a lot less. I
kept my Canon and put a the big black cartridge in it (BJC 21?) and I keep
getting it refilled. It has a printhead built in. I use it when I am
printing a lot of text and it lasts for months. When I want to do colors, I
use the Epson. It works out ok.

I only bought one printhead for the Canon 2100 and that was enough. Thats
when I bought the Epson C64 which cost less than the Canon printhead and the
Epson was new and had cartridges in it. Eventually I might use the Jet tec
compatible cartridges but they are not out here yet.

Just my opinions for your information.

Mary

 

[Roland Marsey]

When you use Epson photo paper, Epson prints are
waterproof/smearproof. HP's are not. Check out this thread for more
info:
http://groups.google.com/[email protected]#link1