Epson Printers

[rfdjr1]

I'm looking at three Epson printers and would like to hear from anyone who is
familiar with them. I've used Epson for nearly ten years and have been happy
with them. It's just time for a new printer.

It will be for home use on a Windows XP based system. I do a lot of photo
printing so I want something that will give me quality photos. ALl three of
these have the same resolution. I also want one that will print on CD's and
DVD's. My current printer is a 785EPX. When I got it, I bought the color monitor
for it, whcih I have never used. Nor do I plug the cards from my cameras
directly into the printer, as I always download and work with the pictures on
the computer before printing. Therefore, a monitor and card reader is not
important to me at this time.

So other than that, I'm trying to compare the three and would appreciate any
opinions or input. The printers are:

Stylus Photo R200
Stylus R320
Stylus R340.

Other than the monitor and card readers, is any one of these better that the
others? And price ins not a concern. I just don't want features I don't need or
will not use.Thanks.

 

[zakezuke]

So other than that, I'm trying to compare the three and would appreciate any

opinions or input. The printers are:

Stylus Photo R200
Stylus R320
Stylus R340.

Other than the monitor and card readers, is any one of these better that the
others? And price ins not a concern. I just don't want features I don't need or
will not use.Thanks.

If you buy before May 8th you qualify for a class action settlement.
It's $45 in various forms. http://www.epsonsettlement.com/

Near as i'm aware, the r200/r220 are the same thing except in a jazzy
new case, and the r320/r340 is the same thing except with card slots.
While it's possible they could have made some improvments... like a
much needed revamp to the waste station to prevent clogging... near as
I can tell they all print with equal quality. They all share the same
ink, the same nozzle amount, the same resolution, and near as i'm aware
the same software.

The r200 was sold for really cheap in it's referbished state on the
epson website. Currently on their site is the rx600, the all in one
version, which does print on CDs but sells in it's referb state for
less than the r340. The r800 is sold in it's referb state for $200 and
actually does offer a benifit over the other printers you listed...
more colors and pigment inks, for more money. No monitor or
pictbridge, just a printer that sells for close to $400 in stores.

But people like my self got so frustrated with the R200/R300 class of
Epson printers we worked to find an alternative. They waste alot of
ink, are prone to clog, and are generally a whole bunch of no fun. The
photo output is surpurb, but you might consider Canon. It won't print
onto CDs out of the box but it will if you know the right code sequence
and buy a tray on e-bay.
http://pixma.webpal.info/

If you do consider an Epson r200/r300 series, consider adding an
external waste tank. These diapers get full quickly and end user
replacement is impossible without breaking plastic, and assembly is
impossible without a jig as they are frameless wonders.
http://www.stevesforums.com/forums/view_topic.php?id=51595&forum_id=40

 

[Roy G]

I'm looking at three Epson printers and would like to hear from anyone who
is
familiar with them. I've used Epson for nearly ten years and have been
happy
with them. It's just time for a new printer.

It will be for home use on a Windows XP based system. I do a lot of photo
printing so I want something that will give me quality photos. ALl three
of
these have the same resolution. I also want one that will print on CD's
and
DVD's. My current printer is a 785EPX. When I got it, I bought the color
monitor
for it, whcih I have never used. Nor do I plug the cards from my cameras
directly into the printer, as I always download and work with the pictures
on
the computer before printing. Therefore, a monitor and card reader is not
important to me at this time.

So other than that, I'm trying to compare the three and would appreciate
any
opinions or input. The printers are:

Stylus Photo R200
Stylus R320
Stylus R340.

Other than the monitor and card readers, is any one of these better that
the
others? And price ins not a concern. I just don't want features I don't
need or
will not use.Thanks.

Hi.

If money is not a problem, and even if it partly was a problem, I would
suggest that you have a real good look at an R800. The Print quality is
superb, and it does not have any gimmicks like card readers or useless
preview screens. An entirely different machine from the 200 / 300s.

Roy G

 

[rfdjr1]

Hi.

If money is not a problem, and even if it partly was a problem, I would
suggest that you have a real good look at an R800. The Print quality is
superb, and it does not have any gimmicks like card readers or useless
preview screens. An entirely different machine from the 200 / 300s.

Roy G

Thanks. Looks like a great printer, but my comment about moneynot being an issue
with the other three printers meant that the difference between the three was no
problem. $400 for a printer is a little out of the question. But this begs
another question. This R800 has the same resoltion as the three I'm looking at,
What makes it so much a better printer? I see it has more ink cartridges. Is
that it? Thanks.

 

[measekite]

MAYBE
YES
YES

Thanks. Looks like a great printer, but my comment about moneynot being an issue
with the other three printers meant that the difference between the three was no
problem. $400 for a printer is a little out of the question. But this begs
another question. This R800 has the same resoltion as the three I'm looking at,
What makes it so much a better printer? I see it has more ink cartridges. Is
that it? Thanks.

 

[measekite]

Hi.

If money is not a problem, and even if it partly was a problem, I would
suggest that you have a real good look at an R800.

THIS PRINTER USES PIGMENTED INK AND HAS A GREATER TENDENCY TO CLOG AS
OPPOSED TO THE R300 SERIES PRINTER. THE INK COSTS MOREAND THE PRINTS
ARE NOT AS VIBRANT BUT THEY DO HAVE GREATER LONGEVITY

The Print quality is
superb, and it does not have any gimmicks like card readers

NOT A GIMMICK

or useless
preview screens.

NOT NEEDED AND THEY ARE USELESS UNLESS YOU WANT TO PRINT WITHOUT A COMPUTER

An entirely different machine from the 200 / 300s.

AND IT COSTS 3 TO 4 TIMES AS MUCH

 

[zakezuke]

Thanks. Looks like a great printer, but my comment about moneynot being an issue

with the other three printers meant that the difference between the three was no
problem. $400 for a printer is a little out of the question. But this begs
another question. This R800 has the same resoltion as the three I'm looking at,
What makes it so much a better printer? I see it has more ink cartridges. Is
that it? Thanks.

It's only $200 shipped as a referb from the epson store. I can't
direct link to it, but it's there

Benifits

1. pigment rather than dye
2. More colors, extra blue and and red, less dithering required
3. 1.5pl drops, finer dithering, better color.

-last years $500 printers-
http://www.tomshardware.com/2004/12/29/are_high/page6.html
-last years sub $300 printers-
http://www.tomshardware.com/2004/10/25/in_living_color/page9.html
-this years consumer line-
http://www.tomshardware.com/2005/12/08/canon_hp_xmas_ink_jet_printer_fleet/page13.html

Not the best site for printer reviews but they do have some images from
each respective printer. It'll give you some clue.

 

[rfdjr1]

I'm looking at three Epson printers and would like to hear from anyone who is
familiar with them. I've used Epson for nearly ten years and have been happy
with them. It's just time for a new printer.

It will be for home use on a Windows XP based system. I do a lot of photo
printing so I want something that will give me quality photos. ALl three of
these have the same resolution. I also want one that will print on CD's and
DVD's. My current printer is a 785EPX. When I got it, I bought the color monitor
for it, whcih I have never used. Nor do I plug the cards from my cameras
directly into the printer, as I always download and work with the pictures on
the computer before printing. Therefore, a monitor and card reader is not
important to me at this time.

So other than that, I'm trying to compare the three and would appreciate any
opinions or input. The printers are:

Stylus Photo R200
Stylus R320
Stylus R340.

Other than the monitor and card readers, is any one of these better that the
others? And price ins not a concern. I just don't want features I don't need or
will not use.Thanks.

So what other options do I have besides Epson that will print on CD's and DVD's?

 

[zakezuke]

So what other options do I have besides Epson that will print on CD's and DVD's?

Canon, if you order a tray on e-bay

IP class ip3000/4000/4000R/4200/5000/5200/5200R/6000D/6600D/7500/8500
MP class
mp750/760/780/500/800/820/900/950
http://pixma.webpal.info/

 

[rfdjr1]

Canon, if you order a tray on e-bay

IP class ip3000/4000/4000R/4200/5000/5200/5200R/6000D/6600D/7500/8500
MP class
mp750/760/780/500/800/820/900/950
http://pixma.webpal.info/

Okay, thanks. But I think it odd that you have to order a tray on eBay. Why not
directly from Canon?

 

[zakezuke]

Okay, thanks. But I think it odd that you have to order a tray on eBay. Why not

directly from Canon?

It's a licensing issue with Phillips... no north american printer comes
with a tray, and canon usa parts won't sell you one. Canada perhaps...
there are Canadians buying and selling them on e-bay, typicaly about
$20 bucks, or at about 100% profit.

 

[rfdjr1]

It's a licensing issue with Phillips... no north american printer comes
with a tray, and canon usa parts won't sell you one. Canada perhaps...
there are Canadians buying and selling them on e-bay, typicaly about
$20 bucks, or at about 100% profit.

I'm ignorant of these issues. So how does Epson get away with it? Thanks. Also,
I just found a brand new in the box R220 on eBay for $49 with $39 shipping. I
wonder if it's worth it?

 

[zakezuke]

I'm ignorant of these issues. So how does Epson get away with it?

They pay money to Phillips. Canon just doesn't want to. This is as
far as I know, neither company has made statements to this effect.

Thanks. Also,
I just found a brand new in the box R220 on eBay for $49 with $39 shipping. I
wonder if it's worth it?

$5.00 more (93.74) you can get one from newegg.com, new, shipped. You
know it has a 1 year warranty, you know it comes with ink. You also
get an invoice which you can print from the website if you lose yours.
I can't say the same about your e-bay deal. "We are not dealers for
the product we sell and therefore do not guarantee that manufacturers
will honor their warranties." It also probally wouldn't qualify for
the settlement.

For $93.92 you can get it from buy.com with free shipping. For $20.00
you can get two years of protection on this sucker, which given it's
tendancy to clog... you might consider it.

For $10 more you can get a referb off the epson site which carries a 1
year warranty, at least the last time I asked, you may wish to double
check that fact. But newegg and buy.com are both cheaper.

From time to time I see the r200 on the epson site for under the cost

of new OEM ink... but not today.

If you buy it get an external waste tank
http://www.stevesforums.com/forums/view_topic.php?id=51595&forum_id=40
Otherwise your printer will fill up, stop working, and might leak ink
if you reset it. Mine filled up with ink and overflowed after the
waste warning came up.

While I am critical of these printers... $20 in cash and $25 in credit
for the settlement and for a $90 printer which comes with $77ish in ink
isn't a bad deal, and if it breaks in the warranty period, you often
get a referb with free ink. And if it breaks within a year the
investment is small, or nothing when you take the ink it comes with
into account.

 

[Fenrir Enterprises]

I'm looking at three Epson printers and would like to hear from anyone who is
familiar with them. I've used Epson for nearly ten years and have been happy
with them. It's just time for a new printer.

It will be for home use on a Windows XP based system. I do a lot of photo
printing so I want something that will give me quality photos. ALl three of
these have the same resolution. I also want one that will print on CD's and
DVD's. My current printer is a 785EPX. When I got it, I bought the color monitor
for it, whcih I have never used. Nor do I plug the cards from my cameras
directly into the printer, as I always download and work with the pictures on
the computer before printing. Therefore, a monitor and card reader is not
important to me at this time.

So other than that, I'm trying to compare the three and would appreciate any
opinions or input. The printers are:

Stylus Photo R200
Stylus R320
Stylus R340.

Other than the monitor and card readers, is any one of these better that the
others? And price ins not a concern. I just don't want features I don't need or
will not use.Thanks.

I bought an R340 in November. Three months later the CD printing
function failed (The rollers that are supposed to move out of the way
for the tray broke, and didn't lift, so the printing tray crashed into
the rollers). Eventually the entire roller assembly failed. Epson's
warranty service was the worst one I've ever dealt with. They don't
have an 800 number so you pay each time you call them. After the fight
that I talked about in this newsgroup, they wound up invalidating the
replacement again because the 'warranty process wasn't handled
correctly' and I had to fight a second time in order to first get the
replacement validated again, and second to get the 'alternative'
method approved where I wouldn't have to pay /them/ to get them to
ship the replacement.

I finally did get another one. If it breaks again I'm taking a
sledgehammer to it rather than fight with Epson again. Epson /is/
convenient that it has the CD printing function out of the box, and,
I'm sorry to say, better photo quality than most printers from other
companies in the same price range. But I would never buy another Epson
product again. Go for the Canon and get a CD tray off of eBay. I've
worked with Canon's warranty service before. If it does break, which
is probably less likely than the Epson, you'll have a better chance at
getting it replaced promptly without weeks of problems.

The R340 has an LCD screen, as well. Someone else recently said their
RX (all in one with the exact same print engine) LCD broke after 15
months. Hopefully if this happens I'll still be able to print off the
PC, at least. Epson may make nice prints, but the rest of the machine
is junk. If you absolutely /have/ to buy an Epson, then go for the
refurbished idea that zakezuke mentioned. Don't buy a new one, it's
not worth the money.

---

http://www.FenrirOnline.com

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

 

[rfdjr1]

I bought an R340 in November. Three months later the CD printing
function failed (The rollers that are supposed to move out of the way
for the tray broke, and didn't lift, so the printing tray crashed into
the rollers). Eventually the entire roller assembly failed. Epson's
warranty service was the worst one I've ever dealt with. They don't
have an 800 number so you pay each time you call them. After the fight
that I talked about in this newsgroup, they wound up invalidating the
replacement again because the 'warranty process wasn't handled
correctly' and I had to fight a second time in order to first get the
replacement validated again, and second to get the 'alternative'
method approved where I wouldn't have to pay /them/ to get them to
ship the replacement.

I finally did get another one. If it breaks again I'm taking a
sledgehammer to it rather than fight with Epson again. Epson /is/
convenient that it has the CD printing function out of the box, and,
I'm sorry to say, better photo quality than most printers from other
companies in the same price range. But I would never buy another Epson
product again. Go for the Canon and get a CD tray off of eBay. I've
worked with Canon's warranty service before. If it does break, which
is probably less likely than the Epson, you'll have a better chance at
getting it replaced promptly without weeks of problems.

The R340 has an LCD screen, as well. Someone else recently said their
RX (all in one with the exact same print engine) LCD broke after 15
months. Hopefully if this happens I'll still be able to print off the
PC, at least. Epson may make nice prints, but the rest of the machine
is junk. If you absolutely /have/ to buy an Epson, then go for the
refurbished idea that zakezuke mentioned. Don't buy a new one, it's
not worth the money.

---

http://www.FenrirOnline.com

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

This is my second 785EPX. Three years ago, literally just before the warranty
ended, the rollers broke. A supporting piece of plastic or something. I forget
exactly now. I called Epson, and they send me out a new printer. All I had to do
was send the broken one back in the box the new one came in. And as far as I
remember, it was new and not refurbished, as I asked them that beforehand. So my
one and only dealing with them for warranty had a happy ending. No guarantee
it'll hapen again though.

 

[rfdjr1]

I'm looking at three Epson printers and would like to hear from anyone who is
familiar with them. I've used Epson for nearly ten years and have been happy
with them. It's just time for a new printer.

It will be for home use on a Windows XP based system. I do a lot of photo
printing so I want something that will give me quality photos. ALl three of
these have the same resolution. I also want one that will print on CD's and
DVD's. My current printer is a 785EPX. When I got it, I bought the color monitor
for it, whcih I have never used. Nor do I plug the cards from my cameras
directly into the printer, as I always download and work with the pictures on
the computer before printing. Therefore, a monitor and card reader is not
important to me at this time.

So other than that, I'm trying to compare the three and would appreciate any
opinions or input. The printers are:

Stylus Photo R200
Stylus R320
Stylus R340.

Other than the monitor and card readers, is any one of these better that the
others? And price ins not a concern. I just don't want features I don't need or
will not use.Thanks.

True enough about buying locally from a store so if I have a problem I can bring
it back. So I went to Staples about five minutes away. I was all set to buy the
R220 for $99 and the salesman told me I'd need ink cartridges. I said my
understanding was that they came with the printer. He said those were only
"starter" cartridges and would only give me some sample printing and quickly run
out. So now I'm looking at another $80 or so in ink. I put it off for the time
being and came home to look for Epson ink on eBay. I found a complete set of
Epson brand with an additional black cartridge for $63. But more interestingly,
the auction site had the following posted:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Question: Are these starter cartridges?

Answer: NO! These are original Epson cartridges and Epson does not make "starter
cartridges". The term "starter cartridge" was created by other sellers to make
their product seem more appealing, but in fact whether the cartridges are
packaged together or separately they all contain the same amount of ink.

Question: How can I verify what you just told me is correct?

Answer: This information can be verified by speaking with one of Epson's
pre-sales representatives at (800) 463-7766.

 

[John H.]

True enough about buying locally from a store so if I have a problem I can bring
it back. So I went to Staples about five minutes away. I was all set to buy the
R220 for $99 and the salesman told me I'd need ink cartridges. I said my
understanding was that they came with the printer. He said those were only
"starter" cartridges and would only give me some sample printing and quickly run
out. So now I'm looking at another $80 or so in ink. I put it off for the time
being and came home to look for Epson ink on eBay. I found a complete set of
Epson brand with an additional black cartridge for $63. But more interestingly,
the auction site had the following posted:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Question: Are these starter cartridges?

Answer: NO! These are original Epson cartridges and Epson does not make "starter
cartridges". The term "starter cartridge" was created by other sellers to make
their product seem more appealing, but in fact whether the cartridges are
packaged together or separately they all contain the same amount of ink.

Question: How can I verify what you just told me is correct?

Answer: This information can be verified by speaking with one of Epson's
pre-sales representatives at (800) 463-7766.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
nteresting. So I called Epson and they told me the same thing, that the printer
ships with full size cartridges. So I guess the salesman at Staples was looking
for an additonal sale. Can anyone confirm this info, even though Epson told me
what they did? Thanks.
The salesman lied to you.You will get a full size cartrides with the printer.

John H.

 

[zakezuke]

On Mon, 17 Apr 2006 19:06:56 -0400, (e-mail address removed) wrote:
True enough about buying locally from a store so if I have a problem I can bring
it back. So I went to Staples about five minutes away. I was all set to buy the
R220 for $99 and the salesman told me I'd need ink cartridges. I said my
understanding was that they came with the printer. He said those were only
"starter" cartridges and would only give me some sample printing and quickly run
out. So now I'm looking at another $80 or so in ink. I put it off for the time
being and came home to look for Epson ink on eBay. I found a complete set of
Epson brand with an additional black cartridge for $63. But more interestingly,
the auction site had the following posted:

nteresting. So I called Epson and they told me the same thing, that the printer
ships with full size cartridges. So I guess the salesman at Staples was looking
for an additonal sale. Can anyone confirm this info, even though Epson told me
what they did? Thanks.

Some printers exist which include only starter cartridges. I have no
clue what the staples guy person was thinking, it could be he honestly
thought Epson came with starter cartridges. A good rule of thumb is to
look in the ink section first, and see if there is a standard size, and
a large size. Some rebaged lexmarks by dell come with starter
cartridges for example, or at least it seems like it. Some Okidata
color lasers come with starter cartridges.

Near as i'm aware Staples staff don't work on commission , and odds
are people will be back for ink anyway, so I suspect it was just a
person with bogus info.

 

[Fenrir Enterprises]

True enough about buying locally from a store so if I have a problem I can bring
it back. So I went to Staples about five minutes away. I was all set to buy the
R220 for $99 and the salesman told me I'd need ink cartridges. I said my
understanding was that they came with the printer. He said those were only
"starter" cartridges and would only give me some sample printing and quickly run
out. So now I'm looking at another $80 or so in ink. I put it off for the time
being and came home to look for Epson ink on eBay. I found a complete set of
Epson brand with an additional black cartridge for $63. But more interestingly,
the auction site had the following posted:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Question: Are these starter cartridges?

Answer: NO! These are original Epson cartridges and Epson does not make "starter
cartridges". The term "starter cartridge" was created by other sellers to make
their product seem more appealing, but in fact whether the cartridges are
packaged together or separately they all contain the same amount of ink.

Question: How can I verify what you just told me is correct?

Answer: This information can be verified by speaking with one of Epson's
pre-sales representatives at (800) 463-7766.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
nteresting. So I called Epson and they told me the same thing, that the printer
ships with full size cartridges. So I guess the salesman at Staples was looking
for an additonal sale. Can anyone confirm this info, even though Epson told me
what they did? Thanks.

No, they are full cartridges, however, because the initial head
priming takes up a massive amount of ink (10-15 ml, nearly a full
cartridge worth), they won't last as long as the next set. I doubt it
was so much that he was trying for an additional sale as much as he
didn't know the product. I've seen salespeople in Staples, Circuit
City, and Best Buy go so far as to tell people they didn't have a
product that they /did/ carry, simply because they had no clue about
it. However, printers coming with 'starter cartridges' is a pretty
common myth that most people believe. Most HPs still do this, but
Epson and Canon do not, as far as I know.

---

http://www.FenrirOnline.com

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

 

[rfdjr1]

No, they are full cartridges, however, because the initial head
priming takes up a massive amount of ink (10-15 ml, nearly a full
cartridge worth), they won't last as long as the next set. I doubt it
was so much that he was trying for an additional sale as much as he
didn't know the product. I've seen salespeople in Staples, Circuit
City, and Best Buy go so far as to tell people they didn't have a
product that they /did/ carry, simply because they had no clue about
it. However, printers coming with 'starter cartridges' is a pretty
common myth that most people believe. Most HPs still do this, but
Epson and Canon do not, as far as I know.

---

Thanks. The Epson rep did say that the intitial priming did use a lot of ink.
But almost a whole catridge worth? Anyway, I think I'll go for the R220. It's
only a hundred bucks. And if someplace down the line I want more printer, I can
always get one. I just need a replacement right now. Don't know if I even
mentioned it in my original post, but the problem with my 785EPX is that a
couple of the rollers keep getting ink on them and smearing the paper. Before
every print job I have to run blank paper through six or eight times to clean
the roller. I contacted Epson and they tolk me the printer probably needed
service, and with the cost of printers, it would likely be more economical to
just byt a new one. I think he was probably right.