Printer recommendation for infrequent user

[McBarker]

I don't want to start an Epson vs HP, or Inkjet vs Toner war, but I am
looking for some serious printer recommendations. It will be used mainly for
printing images. The problem is that I sometimes don't use a printer for
several weeks (or months) at a time (I binge scan and print), by which time
the heads are clogged. I have had to trash an Epson Stylus Pro, and am on
the verge of trashing an Epson 2200 because of clogged heads. I emailed Art
Entlich for help, but since the 2200 has been clogged for a couple of years,
I'm not optimistic. I was wondering if anyone knows for sure if HP is still
mounting the print heads on the cartridges (so that the heads are replaced
when installing new cartridges), and if so, are all of their models built
with that design? Also, are there any other printer manufacturers using that
design (Canon, etc)? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Elmo P. Shagnasty]

I don't want to start an Epson vs HP, or Inkjet vs Toner war, but I am
looking for some serious printer recommendations. It will be used mainly for
printing images. The problem is that I sometimes don't use a printer for
several weeks (or months) at a time (I binge scan and print), by which time
the heads are clogged. I have had to trash an Epson Stylus Pro, and am on
the verge of trashing an Epson 2200 because of clogged heads.

Conventional wisdom says that Epson is like that, whereas Canon is not.

 

[Bob Headrick]

I was wondering if anyone knows for sure if HP is still mounting the print
heads on the cartridges (so that the heads are replaced when installing new
cartridges), and if so, are all of their models built with that design? Also,
are there any other printer manufacturers using that design (Canon, etc)? Any
help would be appreciated.

HP DeskJet and most HP Photosmart printers use the integrated printhead design.
For example, at
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF02a/18972-236251-64340.html all the
printers listed *except* the Photosmart 8200 series have printheads on the
cartridge. At
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF02a/18972-236251-236261.html the
DeskJet models have printheads on the cartridge while the "Business Inkjet"
models have separate printheads.

Regards,
Bob Headrick, MS MVP Printing/Imaging

 

[Gary Tait]

I don't want to start an Epson vs HP, or Inkjet vs Toner war, but I
am
looking for some serious printer recommendations. It will be used
mainly for printing images. The problem is that I sometimes don't use
a printer for several weeks (or months) at a time (I binge scan and
print), by which time the heads are clogged. I have had to trash an
Epson Stylus Pro, and am on the verge of trashing an Epson 2200
because of clogged heads. I emailed Art Entlich for help, but since
the 2200 has been clogged for a couple of years, I'm not optimistic. I
was wondering if anyone knows for sure if HP is still mounting the
print heads on the cartridges (so that the heads are replaced when
installing new cartridges), and if so, are all of their models built
with that design? Also, are there any other printer manufacturers
using that design (Canon, etc)? Any help would be appreciated.

Get a Canon. You can remove and store the cartridges and head.

 

[measekite]

Get a Canon. You can remove and store the cartridges and head.

THAT ADVICE IS NOT THE BEST. I HAVE A CANON AND I THINK IT IS GREAT. I
ALSO HAVE AN HP AND THAT I USE FOR NON-PHOTO PROJECTS AND I THINK THAT
IS ALSO GOOD.

THE HP USING THE TRICOLOR CARTS IS THE BEST FOR AN INFREQUENT USER. THE
PRINTHEAD IS BUILT INTO THE CART SO IF IT DOES CLOG AND IS LOST YOU JUST
REPLACE THE INK CART AND A NEW PRINTHEAD COMES WITH IT.

WHILE THE CART DOES COST MORE BEING AN INFREQUENT USER MAKES IT A MOOT
POINT.

 

[Martin]

I don't want to start an Epson vs HP, or Inkjet vs Toner war, but I am
looking for some serious printer recommendations. It will be used mainly for
printing images. The problem is that I sometimes don't use a printer for
several weeks (or months) at a time (I binge scan and print), by which time
the heads are clogged. I have had to trash an Epson Stylus Pro, and am on
the verge of trashing an Epson 2200 because of clogged heads. I emailed Art
Entlich for help, but since the 2200 has been clogged for a couple of years,
I'm not optimistic. I was wondering if anyone knows for sure if HP is still
mounting the print heads on the cartridges (so that the heads are replaced
when installing new cartridges), and if so, are all of their models built
with that design? Also, are there any other printer manufacturers using that
design (Canon, etc)? Any help would be appreciated.

If you seriously want to junk that 2200 I would be willing to give it
a new home. I'm in the process of learning about various technical
problems like head de-clogging and could really use some experience on
something a little challenging...

So, if you're willing to do a liddle negotiation please drop me a
line in info (AT) websnail (doT) net...



As to your particular problem, I can't offer much experience as I'm a
continual printer but it would seem that a Canon with a detachable
head and cart set would be a good option as you could air seal them
for storage till you next needed them..

Best of luck...

Martin

 

[SteveB]

HP printers with heads in the cartridges can go for months unused and work
first time with no clogs, they have a very efficient capping system.

 

[Glenn]

let me pass this along to you. last year I bought a cheap HP and a cheap
canon. I used them a few times and packed them away after buying a nice
Canon. A friend of mine asked me last week if I had a printer I wanted to
get rid of. I did, two in fact. I powered up the HP.. the black worked fine,
the color cart... not so much. The Canon fired up just fine and my friend is
quite happy with it..

Draw your own conclusion.

 

[measekite]

let me pass this along to you. last year I bought a cheap HP and a cheap
canon. I used them a few times and packed them away after buying a nice
Canon. A friend of mine asked me last week if I had a printer I wanted to
get rid of. I did, two in fact. I powered up the HP.. the black worked fine,
the color cart... not so much. The Canon fired up just fine and my friend is
quite happy with it..

Draw your own conclusion.

THE CONCLUSION IS SIMPLE FOR A PERSON WITH INTELLIGENCE. IF YOU DID
THIS WITH 10,000 PRINTERS AND THEY ALL GOT THE SAME RESULT YOU COULD
MAKE SOME INFERENCE AS TO A CONCLUSION.

HOWEVER, IN THIS CASE WITH A UNIVERSE OF ONE THAT IS HARDLY ANY
CONCLUSION THAT COULD BE DRAWN.

 

[measekite]

HP printers with heads in the cartridges can go for months unused and work
first time with no clogs, they have a very efficient capping system.

THAT IS CORRECT

 

[measekite]

If you seriously want to junk that 2200 I would be willing to give it
a new home. I'm in the process of learning about various technical
problems like head de-clogging and could really use some experience

YOU CERTAINLY COULD. I AGREE.

 

[Davy]

The Canon fired up just fine and my friend is

quite happy with it.

Draw your own conclusion

"McBarker

My Epson clogged on the 4th day, the replacement sometime late
clogged on the 4th day all with Epson ink

I went and got a Canon, five or six months old now, not one singl
clog, I will buy another without hesitation

One thing, they use clear ink tanks and they are economical to run
stick my neck out here and say I used Epson cartridges on a ratio o
3 to 1 compared to the Canon

Dav

 

[Davy]

Trouble is with 3 in 1 cartridges is if one goes - they all go

Dav

 

[Taliesyn]

let me pass this along to you. last year I bought a cheap HP and a cheap
canon. I used them a few times and packed them away after buying a nice
Canon. A friend of mine asked me last week if I had a printer I wanted to
get rid of. I did, two in fact. I powered up the HP.. the black worked fine,
the color cart... not so much. The Canon fired up just fine and my friend is
quite happy with it..

Draw your own conclusion.

Different capping and cleaning methods perhaps between the different
printers would be my conclusion. For example, I had an Epson 740 and
after a couple of years it slowly began to clog more and more to the
point where it had to be put down. But.... my Father still uses my
previous model, an Epson 500 (that dates back to 1995, I believe) and
has never had any clogging. Back when the 740 was in style "clogger" was
the middle name of the 740 line of printers (regardless of whether you
used OEM or compatible inks) as witnessed by the amount of posts coming
into this newsgroup. The current Canons lines are quite good, nothing to
report. After my experience with the Epsons I tried a Lexmark (good but
not enough printing options) and then moved to Canons. According to my
astrologer she doesn't see an HP in my lifeline . . .

-Taliesyn

 

[Stan Birch]

It will be used mainly for
printing images. The problem is that I sometimes don't use a printer for
several weeks (or months) at a time (I binge scan and print), by which time
the heads are clogged.

I'm a binge printer too. I've never had any problems with my 3.5 year
old Canon S900 six colour printer being left sitting 6 months at a
time; not even to the point of having to do a head cleaning.

After doing thousands of photos with this unit, the head has finally
given up: Black ink is starting to leak internally in the head, into
the photo cyan cartridge. The head has also become intermittent,
sometimes printing perfect pictures and sometimes they turn out dark
and muddy; but this has nothing to do with nozzles being clogged.

After reading so many favourable reviews of the new 4+1 colour IP4200,
I'm going to give one a try. Some are reporting print quality similar
to the previous generation of 6 colour printers; and noticeable
economic benefits. It can be expensive keeping up with light coloured
photo cyan and magenta colour useage.

 

[measekite]

IP5200 IS PROBABLY A BETTER CHOICE.

I'm a binge printer too. I've never had any problems with my 3.5 year
old Canon S900 six colour printer being left sitting 6 months at a
time; not even to the point of having to do a head cleaning.

After doing thousands of photos with this unit, the head has finally
given up: Black ink is starting to leak internally in the head, into
the photo cyan cartridge. The head has also become intermittent,
sometimes printing perfect pictures and sometimes they turn out dark
and muddy; but this has nothing to do with nozzles being clogged.

After reading so many favourable reviews of the new 4+1 colour IP4200,
I'm going to give one a try. Some are reporting print quality similar
to the previous generation of 6 colour printers; and noticeable
economic benefits. It can be expensive keeping up with light coloured
photo cyan and magenta colour useage.

 

[McBarker]

Guys, thanks for all of the input. At this point, after reading your
comments, and doing a little research on ink consumption and head
cleaning/replacability, I'm considering a Canon PIXMA IP8500. Newegg is
selling that model for $306 (US) + S/H. I really appreciate your input.
Martin, I sent you an email.

Regards
McBarker

 

[Martin]

Guys, thanks for all of the input. At this point, after reading your
comments, and doing a little research on ink consumption and head
cleaning/replacability, I'm considering a Canon PIXMA IP8500. Newegg is
selling that model for $306 (US) + S/H. I really appreciate your input.
Martin, I sent you an email.

Ah... I don't actually read that email address as it's sure to get
spam (and trust me I get enough already ) You can resend to info
(at) websnail (doT) net

 

[Sam Louis]

Guys, thanks for all of the input. At this point, after reading your
comments, and doing a little research on ink consumption and head
cleaning/replacability, I'm considering a Canon PIXMA IP8500. Newegg is
selling that model for $306 (US) + S/H. I really appreciate your input.
Martin, I sent you an email.

Regards
McBarker

Simply one of the best printer. Good decision. Have seen one at work.
Imagine the abuse by people. It's one of the Canon printer I hope to
see refurb unit. But I suspect there will be any. The price was around
$350 plus S/H a year ago.

Sam

 

[measekite]

WHILE THE IP8500 CAN PRODUCE GREAT RESULTS IT IS NOT REALLY A GOOD BUY
UNLESS YOU NEED FULL DUPLEX AND TWIN PAPER FEEDS AND DO A LOT OF
BUSINESS DOCUMENTS BECAUSE THE BED SIZE IS LIMITED TO LETTER SIZE.

YOU WOULD BE BETTER TO PAY A FEW DOLLARS MORE AND GET A WIDE FORMAT
(PRINTS UP TO 13X19) I9900 AND HAVE THE ABILITY TO PRODUCE LARGE
PHOTOS. BOTH PRINTERS HAVE A SAME PRINT ENGINE AND TAKE THE SAME CANON
OEM CARTS.