Epson C88 and refill companies

[Fenrir Enterprises]

I'm still considering buying an Epson C88 for large scale business
printing (since my HP printer just won't work for it) and will
probably want to use refills for it. I haven't seen many reviews for
it yet, but the C86 seems to have had massive clogging problems even
using OEM ink, but I'm willing to bet this was due to being used very
little (most customers I've talked to barely print once a week if they
don't have their printer for business use), wheras I would be using it
for at least 200 pages a month, usually much more. But I'm wondering
just how long the printhead would stand up to heavy use (not to
mention the waste tank counter) and whether the new model still has
problems.

Second, while looking at refill companies I've found many of them
(such as MIS, Atlantic Inkjet, ColorBAT, etc) have very little
information on their products, the website is mostly a text catalog
with no 'More Information' links for their products. Those with decent
pictures and data, etc, such as WeInk, seem to have much less variety,
and also seem to be enormously overpriced. The only one I've seen that
has good pictures /and/ good prices is printerfillingstation.com ; but
I'm also looking to buy empty cartridges, since Epsons don't seem easy
to refill, along with the ink, and would be willing to buy from two
different companies if one makes better carts, and the other better
ink. Also the C88 seems to take a different kind of DuraBrite ink than
the C86 (though the difference seems to be it's slightly glossier on
Epson's standard photo paper, which would be useless to me), while
every website I've been to suggests to use the same kind of refill ink
for both printers. So I'm looking for reviews for ink and cartridges
from different companies for this specific product (I guess the C86
refill kits for now), and am also wondering if a different kind of ink
is being worked on for refilling the C88?

Also, does anyone need a lot of HP 10 Black 11 Color carts? Since I'm
tossing the HP 1100D either way, I have zero use for the extras now.

---

http://www.FenrirOnline.com

Computer services, custom metal etching,
arts, crafts, and much more.

 

[Martin]

I'm still considering buying an Epson C88 for large scale business
printing (since my HP printer just won't work for it) and will
probably want to use refills for it. I haven't seen many reviews for
it yet, but the C86 seems to have had massive clogging problems even
using OEM ink, but I'm willing to bet this was due to being used very
little (most customers I've talked to barely print once a week if they
don't have their printer for business use), wheras I would be using it
for at least 200 pages a month, usually much more.

The ink used in C86 is the chroma equivalent, DURABrite brand or
"Pigment" as this sort of thing is usually termed. It uses a non water
solvent and is prone to be a little more clog happy (or annoying for the
end user).

As you suggested the prime candidate tends to be a mix of:
- low usage (many sit for weeks without use in a heated or air
conditioned surroundings)
- poor choice/quality aftermarket inks (ie: non-epson carts)

net result: it's ain't working.

Solution is of course to use a combination of:
- regular printing
- if necessary install the print scheduling utility that MIS provide to
automatically print out a purge sheet every few days (thus exercising
the printer)
- keep the printer away from the radiators, heater, etc..
- decent quality ink (avoid universal!)

...But I'm wondering
just how long the printhead would stand up to heavy use (not to
mention the waste tank counter) and whether the new model still has
problems.

Well, I've provide printer support for a school with two C84's and one
C86 that have been printing off HUGE amounts of colour work from kids
work, to photos of trips, activities, to display work, etc... and the
heads are still going strong.

Waste ink hasn't been a problem yet but I've anticipated the problem and
even worked out how to modify the C8x model printers to add a waste ink
tank here:
http://www.allthefaqs.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3769

You also need the SSC utility (google "epson ssc reset") and to use it
regularly to reset the waste counter every month or so. That way you
avoid ever getting the "service required" message. Waiting until you get
that message means you'd then need the actual service utility from Epson
itself so pro-active is better.

Second, while looking at refill companies I've found many of them
(such as MIS, Atlantic Inkjet, ColorBAT, etc) have very little
information on their products, the website is mostly a text catalog
with no 'More Information' links for their products. Those with decent
pictures and data, etc, such as WeInk, seem to have much less variety,
and also seem to be enormously overpriced.

Actually MIS does provide a fair amount of information if you look hard
at some of the links and speaking from experience, support is pretty
good. However all websites related to refilling/CIS/bulk-ink seem to
suffer from information management issues and could use a review and
rewrite with a view to cross-referenced information being single point
editable.

You also have to remember that a lot of the "cheap" options out there
are as liable to the "pay peanuts, get monkeys" saying as any others.
Clone copies of CIS kits for example abound and get naff all support.

The only one I've seen that
has good pictures /and/ good prices is printerfillingstation.com ; but
I'm also looking to buy empty cartridges, since Epsons don't seem easy
to refill, along with the ink, and would be willing to buy from two
different companies if one makes better carts, and the other better
ink. Also the C88 seems to take a different kind of DuraBrite ink than
the C86 (though the difference seems to be it's slightly glossier on
Epson's standard photo paper, which would be useless to me), while
every website I've been to suggests to use the same kind of refill ink
for both printers.

This is true but in terms of actual compatability the C88 ink is just as
compatible with the C86/84 and vice versa.. It's only the chips that can
cause problems.

I don't know enough about the actual colour value and intensity changes
on the inks but I do know that my MIS Ultrachrome inks are working fine
in all my C8x model printers.

So I'm looking for reviews for ink and cartridges
from different companies for this specific product (I guess the C86
refill kits for now), and am also wondering if a different kind of ink
is being worked on for refilling the C88?

Hopefully I've already answered the query you have above but my money is
on MIS with its Chroma Equiv' ink.. If you want to test out both, why
not get a small 2oz quantity of the MIS Pro version a well to see how
they compare. Either way, if you're looking to refill then the new
spongeless carts, along with the relevant refilling kit would be the way
to go.. but take heed of the little rubber stoppers tendancy to pop out
and be sure to add some tape over it to keep it secure and in place.

Hope that lot helps

Martin

 

[measekite]

The ink used in C86 is the chroma equivalent, DURABrite brand or
"Pigment" as this sort of thing is usually termed. It uses a non water
solvent and is prone to be a little more clog happy (or annoying for
the end user).

As you suggested the prime candidate tends to be a mix of:
- low usage (many sit for weeks without use in a heated or air
conditioned surroundings)
- poor choice/quality aftermarket inks (ie: non-epson carts)

ALL AFTERMARKET INK IS POOR CHOICE SINCE THEY WILL NOT TELL YOU WHAT YOU
ARE GETTING.

net result: it's ain't working.

Solution is of course to use a combination of:
- regular printing
- if necessary install the print scheduling utility that MIS

MISsing in action

provide to automatically print out a purge sheet every few days (thus
exercising the printer)
- keep the printer away from the radiators, heater, etc..
- decent quality ink (avoid universal!)

OH I WONDER WONDER WONDER WHO
WHO WROTE THE BOOK OF REFILLING

Well, I've provide printer support for a school with two C84's and one C86

WOW DATS A BIG SCHOOL. YOU MUST MAKE BIG BUCKS

that have been printing off HUGE amounts of colour work from kids
work, to photos of trips, activities, to display work, etc... and the
heads are still going strong.

Waste ink hasn't been a problem yet but I've anticipated the problem
and even worked out how to modify the C8x model printers to add a
waste ink tank here:
http://www.allthefaqs.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3769

HACKERS SHOULD BE FIRED.

You also need the SSC utility (google "epson ssc reset") and to use it
regularly to reset the waste counter every month or so. That way you
avoid ever getting the "service required" message. Waiting until you
get that message means you'd then need the actual service utility from
Epson itself so pro-active is better.

YES YOU SHOULD BE FIRED

Actually MIS does provide a fair amount of information

EXCEPT THEY DO NOT DISCLOSE WHAT THEY ARE SELLING YOU

HA HA HA HA

A REAL JOKE.

if you look hard at some of the links and speaking from experience,
support is pretty good. However all websites related to
refilling/CIS/bulk-ink seem to suffer from information management issues

AIN'T THAT THE TRUTH

and could use a review and rewrite with a view to cross-referenced
information being single point editable.

You also have to remember that a lot of the "cheap" options out there
are as liable to the "pay peanuts, get monkeys" saying as any others.
Clone copies of CIS kits for example abound and get naff all support.

U SPEEKUM WID FORKED TONGUE

This is true but in terms of actual compatability the C88 ink is just
as compatible with the C86/84 and vice versa.. It's only the chips
that can cause problems.

I don't know enough about the actual colour value and intensity
changes on the inks but I do know that my MIS Ultrachrome inks are
working fine in all my C8x model printers.

THATS BECAUSE THEY DO NOT DISCLOSE WHAT THEY ARE SELLING YOU. YOU COULD
BE USING DIFFERENT INKS PURCHASED FROM THEM AT DIFFERENT TIMES UNDER THE
SAME LABEL
IMPOSSIBLE. SINCE THEY DO NOT DISCLOSE WHO THE FORMULATOR OF THE INK IS
YOU COULD BE GETTING THE SAME THING UNDER MANY LABEL.

Hopefully I've already answered the query you have above but my money
is on MIS with its Chroma Equiv' ink..

THAT IS A DUMB STATEMENT. HOW CAN YOU PUT YOUR MONEY ON A RELABER
WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT IS INSIDE.

If you want to test out both, why not get a small 2oz quantity of the
MIS Pro version a well to see how they compare. Either way, if you're
looking to refill then the new spongeless carts, along with the
relevant refilling kit would be the way to go.. but take heed of the
little rubber stoppers tendancy to pop out and be sure to add some
tape over it to keep it secure and in place.

Hope that lot helps

HOW CAN THAT HELP WHEN YOU SAID NOTHING.

AND GOD SAID(if you believe that stuff) LET THERE BE LIGHT

 

[Prime]

ALL AFTERMARKET INK IS POOR CHOICE SINCE THEY WILL NOT TELL YOU WHAT
YOU ARE GETTING.


MISsing in action


OH I WONDER WONDER WONDER WHO
WHO WROTE THE BOOK OF REFILLING


WOW DATS A BIG SCHOOL. YOU MUST MAKE BIG BUCKS


HACKERS SHOULD BE FIRED.

YES YOU SHOULD BE FIRED


EXCEPT THEY DO NOT DISCLOSE WHAT THEY ARE SELLING YOU

HA HA HA HA

A REAL JOKE.


AIN'T THAT THE TRUTH


U SPEEKUM WID FORKED TONGUE


THATS BECAUSE THEY DO NOT DISCLOSE WHAT THEY ARE SELLING YOU. YOU
COULD BE USING DIFFERENT INKS PURCHASED FROM THEM AT DIFFERENT TIMES
UNDER THE SAME LABEL

IMPOSSIBLE. SINCE THEY DO NOT DISCLOSE WHO THE FORMULATOR OF THE INK
IS YOU COULD BE GETTING THE SAME THING UNDER MANY LABEL.

Many different companies made the parts in your car. Since they are
unknown suppliers, I suggest you start walking instead.

THAT IS A DUMB STATEMENT. HOW CAN YOU PUT YOUR MONEY ON A RELABER
WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT IS INSIDE.

Ford is a relabeler. So is Mercedes. I guess meankite will be walking a
lot.

HOW CAN THAT HELP WHEN YOU SAID NOTHING.

Your advice also says nothing. If you didn't have so much constipation
you could think clearly.

 

[Frank]

I'm still considering buying an Epson C88 for large scale business
printing (since my HP printer just won't work for it) and will
probably want to use refills for it. I haven't seen many reviews for
it yet, but the C86 seems to have had massive clogging problems even
using OEM ink, but I'm willing to bet this was due to being used very
little (most customers I've talked to barely print once a week if they
don't have their printer for business use), wheras I would be using it
for at least 200 pages a month, usually much more. But I'm wondering
just how long the printhead would stand up to heavy use (not to
mention the waste tank counter) and whether the new model still has
problems.

Second, while looking at refill companies I've found many of them
(such as MIS, Atlantic Inkjet, ColorBAT, etc) have very little
information on their products, the website is mostly a text catalog
with no 'More Information' links for their products. Those with decent
pictures and data, etc, such as WeInk, seem to have much less variety,
and also seem to be enormously overpriced. The only one I've seen that
has good pictures /and/ good prices is printerfillingstation.com ; but
I'm also looking to buy empty cartridges, since Epsons don't seem easy
to refill, along with the ink, and would be willing to buy from two
different companies if one makes better carts, and the other better
ink. Also the C88 seems to take a different kind of DuraBrite ink than
the C86 (though the difference seems to be it's slightly glossier on
Epson's standard photo paper, which would be useless to me), while
every website I've been to suggests to use the same kind of refill ink
for both printers. So I'm looking for reviews for ink and cartridges
from different companies for this specific product (I guess the C86
refill kits for now), and am also wondering if a different kind of ink
is being worked on for refilling the C88?

Also, does anyone need a lot of HP 10 Black 11 Color carts? Since I'm
tossing the HP 1100D either way, I have zero use for the extras now.

---

http://www.FenrirOnline.com

Computer services, custom metal etching,
arts, crafts, and much more.

You might take a look at inksell.

www.inksell.com

Frank

 

[measekite]

measekite <[email protected]> posted the exciting message



Many different companies made the parts in your car. Since they are
unknown suppliers, I suggest you start walking instead.



Ford is a relabeler. So is Mercedes. I guess meankite will be walking a
lot.



Your advice also says nothing. If you didn't have so much constipation
you could think clearly.

YOU SEEM TO FOCUS ON YOUR DUTY.

 

[SLLD]

I use PrintPal.com for my epson carts. I print at least 125 pages ever
month. Both sides of a 8X14 sheet some color
There are times when I do a head clean and everything is great after that.
Consider they cost 7.95 and 6.95 USD
they are great.. I could not afford the epson carts for that much
printing. And my bulletins only last for 1 week so
no need for long. time. Hope this is useful.
Slld

 

[Fenrir Enterprises]

I use PrintPal.com for my epson carts. I print at least 125 pages ever
month. Both sides of a 8X14 sheet some color
There are times when I do a head clean and everything is great after that.
Consider they cost 7.95 and 6.95 USD
they are great.. I could not afford the epson carts for that much
printing. And my bulletins only last for 1 week so
no need for long. time. Hope this is useful.
Slld

Which Epson do you have, and how is the text quality? I did some
sample prints at Office Depot on one of the all-in-ones that takes the
Durabrite Ultra inks and the text quallity was horrible. More
feathering than my old Canon BJC-4300. Epson's been promoting these
things as having almost no feathering due to the pigment based ink not
soaking into the paper, and having sharp text on even plain paper. I
was thoroughly unimpressed by the results. It could be that because
it's a demo model it's getting worn out, or maybe the C88 has a better
printhead.

---

http://www.FenrirOnline.com

Computer services, custom metal etching,
arts, crafts, and much more.

 

[SLLD]

At this time I use the cx6600 . the print quality is as good as the epson
ink !
I bought this at office depot BTW..
Before I used the c84 It was also a great machine with little problems
O yes I also use office depot bright 8X14 paper I do not work for PP or
epson
Sorry you had to use some other product.My interest is only in getting good
printing.
It also make bright and beautiful pictures on matte paper. 8X11
Many people like the pictures I put in the Directory I make.
An art critic may not like my work, but I consider that their loss....
Slld