Jeff said:
Thank you for the wonderful replies, I've learned ALOT.
Just a few more questions.
Is it a good idea to stock up on cartridges from ink supply houses in
anticipation of the ITC action? or, have they already stopped selling
the aftermarket replicas.
Dye inks are often good for years past their expiration dates, but
pigment inks because they use solid colorants and resins can denature
and otherwise clot and alter chemically, and probably won't last long
beyond their expiration date.
However, you may wish to consider stocking up on empty refillable
cartridges, as these too may soon disappear. Then you can buy ink as
you need it. Ink will not be restricted by the ITC rulings.
I have been using EPSON durabright inks on my c80, to switch to dye
based, do i have to take out ALL ofthe cartridges in there?
Probably best to do so for a number of reasons.
1) the inks may not be compatible, although they do use similar bases
2) the colors will probably not match, so it may be better to move all
at once and make the appropriate adjustments in the color management all
at once, or you may be chasing after stable color balance as each color
is replaced.
3) I would go one step further and try to flush the old ink out of the
system using cleaning cartridges or make your own by refilling with a
cleaning fluid (do not use pressurized liquids through the heads as it
may damage them).
Are ALL aftermarket Epson cartridges Spongeless?
No, it depends upon the model printer you are trying to refill, and even
then some 3rd party inks cartridges could be designed using older
methods (with "sponges") because they are cheaper to design. The
spongeless cartridges require much more sophisticated ink regulation
systems, and more control over air, which pigment inks require to
prevent oxidation of the ink.
And, are ALL genuine epson cartridges made with sponges in them.
No, all Epson cartridges for current printers (with individual color ink
cartridges) are spongeless. Only the older ganged color units had
sponges or batting in them.
If one was to go into circuit city or best buy and by a wide format
printer ( 13 x 19) or even a good 8.5 x 11 which ones currently new
would you recommend as being future proof in that they are the easist
and simplest to refill?
Probably Canon, but you have to make sure the cartridges do not run out
of ink, since you need to turn the ink monitoring levels off, and the
head will fail if the printer is run without ink in any cartridges.
Lastly, if the ITC ruling is signed off by the President will CIS be
impossible to get?
Hard to say, right now the ITC ruling doesn't directly speak to CIS,
however, it may just be a matter of time before patent issues bring
these to a halt as well.
And if it's signed off on can Aftermarket cartridges simply be oprdered
from overseas vendors?
It is unknown if other markets will follow or if importation will be
allowed into the US. Some manufacturers are now making their cartridge
ink monitor chips regional so they will only work in printers from the
same country region.
i guess the question really is for those of us that want to be Heavy
printers and consume huge amounts of ink, will there contine to be ways
to do this, albeit not dosmetically but still allow us our hobby or
passion?
This is a newly charted process, and how it comes down is hard to know.
There will probably be some "tests" by 3rd party manufacturers and
attempts will likely be made to confound the legislation should it be
signed.
Art
