Multifunction Printer Recommendation?

[Bruce]

After 1.5 years of pretty good service, my Epson CX5200 may have gone out
on me. Clogged printheads?

<[email protected]>

If it is a gonner, can anyone recommend a mid-priced multifunction printer?
I need photo printing, separate tanks (4 tanks is fine), scanning, and
copying.

Thanks,

bruce

 

[Michael Johnson, PE]

I've been using the Canon MP780 for 3-4 months. It has proved to be a
very well designed unit. The document feeders works extremely well. It
also has four ink tanks. I use compatible cartridges which makes
printing extremely economical and it also prints great photos. So far,
I can't say one bad thing about it.

 

[measekite]

Buy a Canon IP4000 and an Epson 4180 or 2480 Scanner. You have the best
of breed on both.

 

[Odie Ferrous]

After 1.5 years of pretty good service, my Epson CX5200 may have gone out
on me. Clogged printheads?

<[email protected]>

If it is a gonner, can anyone recommend a mid-priced multifunction printer?
I need photo printing, separate tanks (4 tanks is fine), scanning, and
copying.

Thanks,

bruce

I've only just gone through all this - the Brother I had didn't like
printing photos, even though it's supposed to do a good job of it.

Fortunately, I am returning and getting a full credit for it.

I did quite a bit of research on this one, and have decided on the new
Epson RX620.

I can't comment on it until Tuesday, but it seems to be a good machine.


Odie

 

[Marvin]

After 1.5 years of pretty good service, my Epson CX5200 may have gone out
on me. Clogged printheads?

<[email protected]>

If it is a gonner, can anyone recommend a mid-priced multifunction printer?
I need photo printing, separate tanks (4 tanks is fine), scanning, and
copying.

Thanks,

bruce

If you switch to an HP printer, you will probably never have a clogged head again. There
is a variety of options at various prices. I just replaced an older HP printer with one I
got for $89.99 at Costco, with a fax and sheet scanner. The photo prints are excellent,
but it does not have separate color ink tanks.

 

[measekite]

Bruce wrote:

That is lousey service. Have you always used OEM ink?

 

[Bruce]

That is lousey service. Have you always used OEM ink?

Yep. Always used OEM ink. As a matter of fact, I have a new black
cartridge and a new cyan cartridge still in the box. Damn.

I just removed the printhead and tried to clean the orifices with alcohol
and very fine brass wire. I reassambled, but no joy.

I think it's time for the junkyard.

 

[Michael Johnson, PE]

Buy a Canon IP4000 and an Epson 4180 or 2480 Scanner. You have the best
of breed on both.

What if he wants the convenience of a document feeder?

 

[Bruce]

Yep. Always used OEM ink. As a matter of fact, I have a new black
cartridge and a new cyan cartridge still in the box. Damn.

I just removed the printhead and tried to clean the orifices with
alcohol and very fine brass wire. I reassambled, but no joy.

I think it's time for the junkyard.

Forgot to mention, my in-laws bought the same CX5200, at the same time I
did, and got about 6 mos. of service. Because it was still under the 1
year warrantly, Epson shipped them, free of charge, a replacement CX6400.
I'd like to give them my CX5200 carts, but they aren't compatible with
their CX6400. Hope their CX6400 lasts longer than my CX5200.

 

[measekite]

Try a Canon IP4000. OEM and Canon Photo Paper PRo or Costco/Kirkland
Glossy Photo Paper work great. Costco is 1/7 the price and 98% as good.

 

[measekite]

What if he wants the convenience of a document feeder?

While expensive, the document feeder for the Epson 4180 is $150.00. Or
he can compromise.

 

[Bruce]

I've been using the Canon MP780 for 3-4 months. It has proved to be a
very well designed unit. The document feeders works extremely well.
It also has four ink tanks. I use compatible cartridges which makes
printing extremely economical and it also prints great photos. So
far, I can't say one bad thing about it.

Do you know if the iP4000, which I like, is the same as the MP760, but
without the scanner and card readers? Do both use 5 tanks (black and
picture black)?

 

[measekite]

Do you know if the iP4000, which I like, is the same as the MP760, but
without the scanner and card readers? Do both use 5 tanks (black and
picture blACK

The IP4000 does use those 5 carts. The best deal on a scanner is the
Epson 4180

 

[Michael Johnson, PE]

While expensive, the document feeder for the Epson 4180 is $150.00. Or
he can compromise.

A quick search shows an average price for the 4180 to be approximately
$200. Add the feeder and the price balloons to $350 for just the
scanner. Add another $120 for the iP4000 and the total cost of your
recommendation is $470 (plus another $20-$30 for a cheap modem for
faxing) verses $260 for an MP780. For the $500 spent on your suggestion
he could have the MP780 and the Epson 4180 with change to spare.

As we discussed in another thread, the convenience of today's
multi-function printers is the real reason for their existence.

 

[Burt]

Measekite misses the point completely. While he (and I, although I find it
difficult to imagine anything about which we would agree) prefer to buy each
piece of equipment for its own attributes, he fails to listen to the
question the original poster poses. He is so convinced of his own perfect
judgement that he invariably suggests the equipment he owns as suitable for
everyone elses needs. Chosing a MF unit can be based on lack of deskspace,
expense, or a variety of other issues, one of which may be personal bias,
something that Measekite is full of. Now you can bet that he will respond
to this post by telling me what I am full of! His usual response to logic
he can't refute.

 

[measekite]

A quick search shows an average price for the 4180 to be approximately
$200.

I paid $125 after sale and rebate. You are quoting list and nobody pays
that.

Add the feeder and the price balloons to $350 for just the scanner.

$275.00

Add another $120 for the iP4000 and the total cost of your
recommendation is $470

$375 (sales and rebates)

(plus another $20-$30 for a cheap modem for faxing)

Software is built into windows but does not get installed normally. You
need to go into the files and install it manually.

 

[measekite]

Measekite misses the point completely. While he (and I, although I find it
difficult to imagine anything about which we would agree) prefer to buy each
piece of equipment for its own attributes, he fails to listen to the
question the original poster poses. He is so convinced of his own perfect
judgement that he invariably suggests the equipment he owns as suitable for
everyone elses needs. Chosing a MF unit can be based on lack of deskspace,
expense, or a variety of other issues, one of which may be personal bias,
something that Measekite is full of.

The real justification is space.

Now you can bet that he will respond
to this post by telling me what I am full of! His usual response to logic
he can't refute.

I did not respond to this post to tell Burt he is full of shit even though

 

[Michael Johnson, PE]

I paid $125 after sale and rebate. You are quoting list and nobody pays
that.

The price I listed was based on a quick scan of priced on the PC
Magazine web site. Obviously, many people do pay that price. Even
assuming your price on the 4180 is legitimate the total cost of your
suggestion is $430 (don't forget the modem). I can buy an MP780 and a
4180 (@ $125) for $385 and still have money in my pocket. I don't see
your point. Quoting a low price for the 4180 works against you about as
much as it supports your position.

$275.00

This is more than the total cost of the MP780 and you still can't print
anything.

$375 (sales and rebates)

Add the cost of a modem and I can still buy an MP780 and a 4180 with
change to spare.

Software is built into windows but does not get installed normally. You
need to go into the files and install it manually.

You still need to buy a modem to fax anything. The software cost is
irrelevant to this discussion.

 

[Burt]

The real justification is space.

Again he proves my point - that he mistakes his personal bias for
irrefutable fact. There are as many justifications as there are people who
chose one of these unit. Measekite - your "real" justification is not the
only one. And---as predicted he responded. He loves to follow several of
us around this NG trying to create doubt about our advice.

 

[Michael Johnson, PE]

Do you know if the iP4000, which I like, is the same as the MP760, but
without the scanner and card readers? Do both use 5 tanks (black and
picture black)?

I believe the printing capabilities of the MP760/780 are identical to
the iP4000. I think they use the same print head and I know they use
the same ink tanks.