Generic inkjet cartridges
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Actually, HP does now make a line of printers (the HP Photosmart series), that now have a separate ink cartridge feeding into a separate "heavy-duty" print head. the advantage of those is the printer self-cleans its own heads and it recycles 100% of that ink used for cleaning (where most is wasted) back into it's ink pools for greater output. I don't believe any other manufacture can do claim that. So we have now some of the best "cost per page" we've ever produced.
But to get back to your good reply, it appears the old business model was expensive printer and very cheap inks. Now HP practically gives some printers away and you actually pay for that printer a little bit each time you by ink. Generally from what I have seen is the cheaper the printer you buy the more expensive it will cost you in the long run with inks. But of course HP wants you to buy their ink for that reason. So does Epson and Canon.
But to get back to your good reply, it appears the old business model was expensive printer and very cheap inks. Now HP practically gives some printers away and you actually pay for that printer a little bit each time you by ink. Generally from what I have seen is the cheaper the printer you buy the more expensive it will cost you in the long run with inks. But of course HP wants you to buy their ink for that reason. So does Epson and Canon.
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Well, I suppose that this is a start, but ink run through dirty jets will carry the crud which blocked them in the first place so no doubt sophisticated filter systems will have to be introduced (more cost) to ensure the jets don't repeatedly block.
However what Clutch Cargo has stated really emphasies my point, and the violent competition in which our printer manufacturers are engaged probably prevents any rapid policy change (unless they get together and agree changes, but this would be a cartel - not nice). The introduction of the photosmart system seems to indicate that manufacturers realise the situation that they are in and are starting to do something about it.
I acquired an Epson 925 about five years ago when I started digital photography. It still works well and has never been fitted with Epson cartridges. These started at about £ 30 each and are now just less than £20. I pay less than £3 these days but acknowledge that I am not as fussy about exact colour balance as a professional photographer.
My printer is now getting worn in the paper handling department, it owes me nothing and will soon be due to be replaced. What to me will be of paramount importance will be the cost of the new one's consumables. I object to paying £20 for 30 pence worth of ink contained in an expensive sophisticated, chipped cartridge primarily designed to try to ensure that I cannot refresh my printer's ink supply with another 30p's worth!
Anyway, Clutch Cargo, thanks for responding to my comments, it is much appreciated, especially if my feelings and those of a lot of other people on this board get to the ears of some of the manufacturers.
P.P.
However what Clutch Cargo has stated really emphasies my point, and the violent competition in which our printer manufacturers are engaged probably prevents any rapid policy change (unless they get together and agree changes, but this would be a cartel - not nice). The introduction of the photosmart system seems to indicate that manufacturers realise the situation that they are in and are starting to do something about it.
I acquired an Epson 925 about five years ago when I started digital photography. It still works well and has never been fitted with Epson cartridges. These started at about £ 30 each and are now just less than £20. I pay less than £3 these days but acknowledge that I am not as fussy about exact colour balance as a professional photographer.
My printer is now getting worn in the paper handling department, it owes me nothing and will soon be due to be replaced. What to me will be of paramount importance will be the cost of the new one's consumables. I object to paying £20 for 30 pence worth of ink contained in an expensive sophisticated, chipped cartridge primarily designed to try to ensure that I cannot refresh my printer's ink supply with another 30p's worth!
Anyway, Clutch Cargo, thanks for responding to my comments, it is much appreciated, especially if my feelings and those of a lot of other people on this board get to the ears of some of the manufacturers.
P.P.
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After what seems a lifetime using HP printers (well two of them) I decided about four years ago to change to Epson. The printer was Ok, but the ink cartridges were very expensive and did not last very long. To cut down on expenses I started buying Geha replacement ink cartridges as they are about 10 Euro cheaper. In the last two years I have had no problems with them.
One of the reasons for the Epson originals not lasting so long is, so I am informed, that they have a chip in them that stops you using the last 10 to 15% of the ink "as a safety measure to stop damage to the print head".
I will be going back to HP when I get the next printer.
One of the reasons for the Epson originals not lasting so long is, so I am informed, that they have a chip in them that stops you using the last 10 to 15% of the ink "as a safety measure to stop damage to the print head".
I will be going back to HP when I get the next printer.
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For my ancient Epson photo printer, from my favourite cartridge supplier, an original Epson black cartridge costs a whopping £19.95 and a colour one £16.95.
However, I buy their compatible cartridges, black £1.69, colour £1.95. Can you beat that with H.P?
P.P.
However, I buy their compatible cartridges, black £1.69, colour £1.95. Can you beat that with H.P?
P.P.
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Printer Cartridges
Best and cheapest (original) manufacturer's cartridges can be found at http://www.euroffice.co.uk
Been using these prods. for 3 years, and they are genuine.
Been using these prods. for 3 years, and they are genuine.
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It's working again now, but my supplier is still more competitive for compatibles for my "trusty" Epson photo 925 printer. I won't try SD's patience by mentioning them again, but a search engine will help on this forum, and they are referred to in the initial post on this thread.
P.P.
P.P.
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I bought an HP printer because the print head is part of the cartridge. I don't do much color printing and have a laser for B&W. The ink would dry in the print heads before the first cartridge ran out with the Canon and Epson printers I used to have.
I'm willing to pay for HP cartridges to get a new print head with each one. I feel that's cheaper and less bother than throwing away the whole Epson / Canon printer or the trouble and expense of replacing their print head.
Perhaps my case is unusual.
I'm willing to pay for HP cartridges to get a new print head with each one. I feel that's cheaper and less bother than throwing away the whole Epson / Canon printer or the trouble and expense of replacing their print head.
Perhaps my case is unusual.
As a long term HP user, I agree with seascue. It is just a shame that the capacity of the later HP cartridges is much less than their earlier ones.
My old HP 820Cxi uses a No 45 (Black) cartridge with 42ml of ink, and a No 41 (Tri-Colour) cartridge with 40.5ml. Our HP psc950 uses a No 15* (Black) with only 25ml, and a No 78 (Tri-Colour) with 19ml. The No 17 (Tri-Colour) cartridge is smaller again, with only 15ml.
(*Beware also that there are two No 15s available. The C6615NE may look a bargain on price, but it only holds 14ml)
My old HP 820Cxi uses a No 45 (Black) cartridge with 42ml of ink, and a No 41 (Tri-Colour) cartridge with 40.5ml. Our HP psc950 uses a No 15* (Black) with only 25ml, and a No 78 (Tri-Colour) with 19ml. The No 17 (Tri-Colour) cartridge is smaller again, with only 15ml.
(*Beware also that there are two No 15s available. The C6615NE may look a bargain on price, but it only holds 14ml)
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Last year I bought a HP Laserjet 1600 and am very pleased with it. Now the toner needs replacing the prices I have seen for genuine HP replacements vary from £49.99 to £62.99, and I need 4.
So total cost of replacement toner is around £200 - £240.
PC World are advertising a new HP Colour Laserjet 1600 for £121 !
Bit of a no brainer on the financials really, but a shocking waste of a perfectly good printer, and environmentally disasterous.
So total cost of replacement toner is around £200 - £240.
PC World are advertising a new HP Colour Laserjet 1600 for £121 !
Bit of a no brainer on the financials really, but a shocking waste of a perfectly good printer, and environmentally disasterous.
Spoon PPRuNerist & Mad Inistrator
Thread Starter
Woofrey,
You may actually find that the original cartridges supplied are not filled to the same level as the replacements - perhaps as little as 1/4 or 1/3 the normal amount. This has been a common ploy by manfrs in their efforts to keep the cost of the printer down, particularly with inkjet printers .
Not all manfrs do this, and not necessarily this printer model, but worth bearing in mind.
SD
You may actually find that the original cartridges supplied are not filled to the same level as the replacements - perhaps as little as 1/4 or 1/3 the normal amount. This has been a common ploy by manfrs in their efforts to keep the cost of the printer down, particularly with inkjet printers .
Not all manfrs do this, and not necessarily this printer model, but worth bearing in mind.
SD
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Re:The use of compatible inkjet cartridges
Gentlemen,
I would urge caution when using compatible inkjet cartridges.
On the latest Epson,Cannon and I believe HP Printers . Manufacturers have designed their inkjet printers with electronic wizardry that detects whether you are using a non Epson/Cannon/HP replacement ink cartridge.
I had a brand new Epson Inkjet Printer purchased only 3 months ago. I used replacement compatible cartridges which worked fine . When i inserted the third set of replacement cartridges I got a message up on the screen to say "Use of a Non Epson Cartridge Detected" .
The Printer switched itself off and no amount of trying would enable the unit to switch on again. I took the printer to an authorised Epson Repair Centre , they wanted £70 just to look at it to reset the firmware and another £60 for one hours labour to repair it . The Printer only cost me £50 originally from PC World.
The Authorised Repair Center said that Epson make their profits out of selling Ink Cartridges and not from the Printers. Just bear that in mind when you next purchase non manufacturer replacement ink cartridges.
I had to purchase a complete new Printer . Something tell me as a Consumer we are being taken to the cleaners over these Ink Cartridge Issues.
Best Regards
znord737
I would urge caution when using compatible inkjet cartridges.
On the latest Epson,Cannon and I believe HP Printers . Manufacturers have designed their inkjet printers with electronic wizardry that detects whether you are using a non Epson/Cannon/HP replacement ink cartridge.
I had a brand new Epson Inkjet Printer purchased only 3 months ago. I used replacement compatible cartridges which worked fine . When i inserted the third set of replacement cartridges I got a message up on the screen to say "Use of a Non Epson Cartridge Detected" .
The Printer switched itself off and no amount of trying would enable the unit to switch on again. I took the printer to an authorised Epson Repair Centre , they wanted £70 just to look at it to reset the firmware and another £60 for one hours labour to repair it . The Printer only cost me £50 originally from PC World.
The Authorised Repair Center said that Epson make their profits out of selling Ink Cartridges and not from the Printers. Just bear that in mind when you next purchase non manufacturer replacement ink cartridges.
I had to purchase a complete new Printer . Something tell me as a Consumer we are being taken to the cleaners over these Ink Cartridge Issues.
Best Regards
znord737
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I bought a Canon Pixma some years ago - probably the last model Canon Pixma that doesn't have chips in the ink cartridges. Apart from occasional cleaning of the heads when it hasn't been used for a while, it's done fine. It costs me about £5 for a set of cartridges from PrinterInks.com, and they last a couple of months or more. The colour quality is fine, and I haven't noticed any fading, apart from stuff that's left in direct sunlight.
A friend was impressed with mine, and ordered a Canon Pixma. She got a later one with chips in the inkpots, and was very unhappy when it came to buying new ink - at £70 to replace a set, where the printer cost about £65. The £70 set doesn't last any longer than my £5 set.
There's no way she's going to pay £70 for <£1 worth of ink, and she's too arthritic to refill the pots herself, so her poor brother has the job. What he says about Canon is not printable!
We're now both looking for a colour Laser printer that doesn't have ripoff prices for toner cartridges.
A friend was impressed with mine, and ordered a Canon Pixma. She got a later one with chips in the inkpots, and was very unhappy when it came to buying new ink - at £70 to replace a set, where the printer cost about £65. The £70 set doesn't last any longer than my £5 set.
There's no way she's going to pay £70 for <£1 worth of ink, and she's too arthritic to refill the pots herself, so her poor brother has the job. What he says about Canon is not printable!
We're now both looking for a colour Laser printer that doesn't have ripoff prices for toner cartridges.
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Oh dear - it looks as though one has to be even more careful if choosing a new printer these days! I expect that the alternate cartridge industry will come up with a fix before too long and maybe some printer manufacturer will start charging an economic price for its printers and loudly proclaim that it has no objection to the use of alternative ink catridges. I mean - there isn't a cartel, is there?
Some time ago, my wife decided to replace an ink cartridge in her Epson printer/copier/scanner. Normally she gets me to do this. Anyway, she didn't push the new (compatible) cartridge down properly so the "protection chip" did not make proper contact. Result - the printer locked up and after a Google search, I found the reset instructions. Since following these, the printer started working normally and thus saved me the cost of having to do what znord737 is possibly being faced with. Hopefully his reset instructions will appear on Google before long!
P.P.
Some time ago, my wife decided to replace an ink cartridge in her Epson printer/copier/scanner. Normally she gets me to do this. Anyway, she didn't push the new (compatible) cartridge down properly so the "protection chip" did not make proper contact. Result - the printer locked up and after a Google search, I found the reset instructions. Since following these, the printer started working normally and thus saved me the cost of having to do what znord737 is possibly being faced with. Hopefully his reset instructions will appear on Google before long!
P.P.
Last edited by P.Pilcher; 8th Feb 2008 at 18:51. Reason: typo
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Keef
I to have a Canon Pixma without chips . A very nice printer , Im using £5.00 a set cartridges with exellent results .
I did get a bit of black smudging on the very edge of the paper whent printing a lot of A4 borderless photos but running the cleaning cycles fixed .
A thought can the chip from a genuine cartridge be removed and stuck on the clone ?
I to have a Canon Pixma without chips . A very nice printer , Im using £5.00 a set cartridges with exellent results .
I did get a bit of black smudging on the very edge of the paper whent printing a lot of A4 borderless photos but running the cleaning cycles fixed .
A thought can the chip from a genuine cartridge be removed and stuck on the clone ?
Spoon PPRuNerist & Mad Inistrator
Thread Starter
Well, the first pass was completed -
Premier Ink supplying Print-Rite cartridges.
I had 4 cartridges - Black (small, for colour printing), Cyan, Magenta and Yellow, of which all but Yellow were Print-Rite, while the Yellow was Canon, as a "control".
Interestingly, the 3 Print-Rite cartridges have all expired, while the Canon is still going strong. Obviously this is far from conclusive, but it does suggest that the 3rd-party cartridges don't have the same longevity as the original Canons.
The original Canon Black (large, for B&W printing) is still going, also.
In terms of colour quality on test prints, my view is that the replacements were slightly - but perceptibly - paler or washed out compared to the originals, although the black was indistinguishable. In real-world printing there's very little to choose between them.
I've now got a set of Tesco cartridges to compare. Results in a... while!
SD
Premier Ink supplying Print-Rite cartridges.
I had 4 cartridges - Black (small, for colour printing), Cyan, Magenta and Yellow, of which all but Yellow were Print-Rite, while the Yellow was Canon, as a "control".
Interestingly, the 3 Print-Rite cartridges have all expired, while the Canon is still going strong. Obviously this is far from conclusive, but it does suggest that the 3rd-party cartridges don't have the same longevity as the original Canons.
The original Canon Black (large, for B&W printing) is still going, also.
In terms of colour quality on test prints, my view is that the replacements were slightly - but perceptibly - paler or washed out compared to the originals, although the black was indistinguishable. In real-world printing there's very little to choose between them.
I've now got a set of Tesco cartridges to compare. Results in a... while!
SD
Best and cheapest (original) manufacturer's cartridges can be found at http://www.euroffice.co.uk
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Saab - I look forward to reading your results.
The other day, a friend asked me if I would book him in online and print out his boarding passes as he lives in Jersey and has no computer access over here. Job done then I just had to print out his passes (print-rite ink). My trusty Epson Photo 925 locked up and refused to do anything as it insisted on being returned to an Epson service centre. No warning - it just locked up. Fortunately my wife's printer did the job, but then I checked the Epson. It transpired that this happens when it thinks the waste ink reservoir is full and it is a service centre job to empty it. Probable cost about £70-80 (and compare this with the cost of a new printer). Fortunately, there is a useful utility on the web. Download same and run it so that the printer is re-set. It is working beautifully again now - I've just got to dismantle it to empty that resevoir!
P.P.
The other day, a friend asked me if I would book him in online and print out his boarding passes as he lives in Jersey and has no computer access over here. Job done then I just had to print out his passes (print-rite ink). My trusty Epson Photo 925 locked up and refused to do anything as it insisted on being returned to an Epson service centre. No warning - it just locked up. Fortunately my wife's printer did the job, but then I checked the Epson. It transpired that this happens when it thinks the waste ink reservoir is full and it is a service centre job to empty it. Probable cost about £70-80 (and compare this with the cost of a new printer). Fortunately, there is a useful utility on the web. Download same and run it so that the printer is re-set. It is working beautifully again now - I've just got to dismantle it to empty that resevoir!
P.P.
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We have a Canon Pixma at work.
What a useless piece of junk.
Have to keep pressing buttons 3 or 4 times for it to do anything.
Uses ink like its going out of fashion
Only upside i had the printer it replaced, a 5 year old HP d145.
Brillant work horse, still prints perfect on refilled cartridges.
All you have to do is remove the button memory battery from printer and the thing can't remember what cartridge is in so it just prints away without problem.
Downside, now i'm tasked with printing all our brochures!
Still small price to pay for a great printer.
What a useless piece of junk.
Have to keep pressing buttons 3 or 4 times for it to do anything.
Uses ink like its going out of fashion
Only upside i had the printer it replaced, a 5 year old HP d145.
Brillant work horse, still prints perfect on refilled cartridges.
All you have to do is remove the button memory battery from printer and the thing can't remember what cartridge is in so it just prints away without problem.
Downside, now i'm tasked with printing all our brochures!
Still small price to pay for a great printer.