Thanks for the references. I'm going to check those out tonight. Is
there a printer in the class of the B9180 that you find more reliable,
works better, has less problems, etc that you have experience with? I
don't know if I can handle another Epson although I was going in that
direction initially, looking at the 1800 and 2400. I'd like to keep
it below $700 if possible. Thanks all for the help...
I've had an R1800 for about 18 months, with no nozzle blockage problems
or other problems over that period. I'd still recommend the R1800 if
you mainly print glossy and colour.
If you expect to change between matte and gloss media frequently, then
the 2400 has the added problem of having to switch black cartridges -
wasting a few dollars worth of ink each time.
It seems that the B9180 can match or exceed R2400 output quality (and
IMO the 2400 is "state of the art") for monochrome and colour, but has a
little more gloss differential. A downside is less support for
third-party media, although that will come in time.
I wouldn't suggest not buying the B9180 - but I would suggest perhaps
finding out what HP support is like in your area first. One of the
major complaints that are being expressed is that HP support don't seem
to have the first idea about the printer. OTOH several users have
reported that they have had good response with replacements from
retailers for faulty units - so check the return policy. Problems have
been varied, but include faulty print heads and paper feed mechanisms,
banding, some software bugs - the usual stuff, but more complaints on
user forums than any other printer I can remember in recent times.
But if you get a "good one" they are supposed to be very very good.
I only hope that Canon and HP succeed in this part of the market. Ink
prices are crazy, and only through real competition is there any hope
that prices will come down.
