Best Printer for Occasional Use

  • Thread starter Thread starter Al
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Al

Are there some models of printers that can clean the printheads better
than others? I have a Canon i350 and have used up almost all of my ink
in the process of cleaning the printheads and with wasted printouts
from clogged heads. I print about once a week and the air is dry in
the winter.

Is any inkjet better, or is it just the nature of them? Are higher DPI
printers more prone to clogging? Do any of them have the option to
just clean the black printhead?

TIA!
 
Are there some models of printers that can clean the printheads better
than others? I have a Canon i350 and have used up almost all of my ink
in the process of cleaning the printheads and with wasted printouts
from clogged heads. I print about once a week and the air is dry in
the winter.

Is any inkjet better, or is it just the nature of them? Are higher DPI
printers more prone to clogging? Do any of them have the option to
just clean the black printhead?
Click to expand...

This is something I am trying to pin down recently.

I have had HPDJ printers since the 500c and apart from when I have let
the cart run empty, can't remember them ever having trouble printing
even after a prelonged idle period (like a month?).

I am getting close to getting the Canon ip4000 but every time I hear
stories of blocked print heads on Epson and Canon printers (unless you
print something every day etc) I wonder if I'm doing the right thing?

Even if they actually take the same time idle as HP's before 'clogging
/ blocking' at least with HP a new cart means a new (clean) printhead?

I don't particularly want 'vibrant colours', wicked speeds or the
ability to print CD's etc, just something that is there ready to
print when I need it to without costing a fortune in inks (especially
if they are wasted whilst 'cleaning' print heads? (but I do like
colour and can't afford a laser).

What to do ... <sigh>

All the best ..
 
Al said:
Are there some models of printers that can clean the printheads better
than others? I have a Canon i350 and have used up almost all of my ink
in the process of cleaning the printheads and with wasted printouts
from clogged heads. I print about once a week and the air is dry in
the winter.

Is any inkjet better, or is it just the nature of them? Are higher DPI
printers more prone to clogging? Do any of them have the option to
just clean the black printhead?

TIA!
Click to expand...

You're probably better off with a HP inkjet if you only require occasional
use, as the print heads are part of the ink cartridges and if it clogs
through lack of use you just change the cartridges.

I personally prefer Epson or Canon printers although they are more prone to
clogging, but then I use a printer every day.

Whatever you do forget Lexmark's or you'll be kicking yourself for ever
after.
 
If you want to print photos and business documents, even occasionally,
get a Canon IP4000 when on sale for about $120. If you are sure that
you never have the desire to print photo (maybe once in a while that are
just snapshots) then for about $80 you can get a Canon IO3000. This is
the same identical printer with the exception it is a 4 cart printer
instead of 5. The extra cart is a dye based black used for photos to
enhance contrast and make color inks last longer since black does not
have to be mixed. The only other difference is the color of the case.

If you never want to print photos and do not want any color then get a
simple Brother, HP, Samsung, or Okidata mono laser printer. You can
probably get a decent one for around $300.
 
I say the same thing. I have both an HP990Cse and a Canon. I have let
my HP sit for 3 months with no problem. I like and prefer my Canon
IP4000, about 6 months old better, especially for photos and I use the
Canon about once every 2 weeks. Currently I have a need to fast draft
quality and the HP does that well.
 
Al said:
Are there some models of printers that can clean the printheads better
than others? I have a Canon i350 and have used up almost all of my ink
in the process of cleaning the printheads and with wasted printouts
from clogged heads. I print about once a week and the air is dry in
the winter.
Click to expand...

I've found HP seems to be among the best for short cleaning cycles and
not clogging.

I've had several HP inkjet models, and all of them have sat idle for
extended periods, and the carts never clogged while in the printer. In
fact, an HP printer I had sitting in a closet for a year was put back
into service. After turning it on, it hummed and clicked for about 10
seconds and promptly spit out a test page. It looked perfect and no
clogs.

I will point out that cartridges I stored outside of the printer in a
cartridge holder, have clogged a bit when stored for extended periods.
However a damp cloth fixed them up quickly enough.

My fairly new HP Deskjet 6540 has sat idle for nearly three weeks at one
point without any issues too. Turned it on and 10-15 seconds later, it
printed perfectly. The cleaning cycles are a lot quicker than the old
Canon i850 I had, that's for sure. And it seems to use a lot less ink in
the process too. I took the i850 apart to check the waste ink area, and
it was covered with ink...at least several ink tanks worth splattered
all over the area.
Are higher DPI
printers more prone to clogging?
Click to expand...

I don't believe it's a major factor.
Do any of them have the option to
just clean the black printhead?
Click to expand...

If any of them can, it would be the models that can print safely without
any colour carts installed. I know most, if not all, HP printers can
print just black without colour installed, and since the printhead is
integrated, it can't hurt anything by removing the colour cartridge
because the printhead is removed also.

I know the Canon i/P-series can damage their printheads if you remove
any of the cartridges. There is a backwards design flaw in the ink level
monitoring optical device that fails to properly check for installed
cartridges - the printer merely assumes an ink tank is present and full
if it can't detect a reflected signal in the bottom of the ink tank
prisms.

This design flaw means you could easily remove the colour ink tanks, and
the printer will think they're still installed and try to print without
any ink. Not a very safe system.

As for Epson and Lexmark, I don't have much first-hand experience in
their design and function, so I'll leave that to others in the group.
 
--
Al said:
Are there some models of printers that can clean the printheads better
than others? I have a Canon i350 and have used up almost all of my ink
in the process of cleaning the printheads and with wasted printouts
from clogged heads. I print about once a week and the air is dry in
the winter.

Is any inkjet better, or is it just the nature of them? Are higher DPI
printers more prone to clogging? Do any of them have the option to
just clean the black printhead?

TIA!
Click to expand...

It is a very good plan to bite the bullet and set some time aside for
preventative maintenance. Us spare empty cartridges and fill them with
either one of the Pro cleaning - cum - cartridge flush solvents or use
Windex (UK Windolene). Sprodaic use of these will flush out from within this
tendency to clog. You may particularly nedd this if you live in a high temp
part of the World where oxidation is the main culprit.
You'll find a solvent flush solution as below... in the USA cart.
Got the picture...Print it. JetTec perfect.
http://www.aah-haa.com 30% more ink
http://www.inkylinkusa.com
 
It is a very good plan to bite the bullet and set some time aside for
preventative maintenance. Us spare empty cartridges and fill them with
either one of the Pro cleaning - cum - cartridge flush solvents or use
Windex (UK Windolene). Sprodaic use of these will flush out from within this
tendency to clog. You may particularly nedd this if you live in a high temp
part of the World where oxidation is the main culprit.
You'll find a solvent flush solution as below... in the USA cart.
Got the picture...Print it. JetTec perfect.
http://www.aah-haa.com 30% more ink
http://www.inkylinkusa.com
Click to expand...
Thanks to everyone for the helpful information. I have only seen these
"cleaning" cartridges on a few ink sites, but it seems like a good
idea.

There seems to be a consensus that HP printers are less prone to
clogging. I wonder what they're doing differently... but for the text
printing I do they should be fine. Their printers used to be very
sturdy, but I haven't hefted a recent model.

One question about the HP's - will they let you keep printing when the
cartridge gets low, or do they lock up on low ink? I've heard some
woes about this.
 
Thanks to everyone for the helpful information. I have only seen these
"cleaning" cartridges on a few ink sites, but it seems like a good
idea.

There seems to be a consensus that HP printers are less prone to
clogging. I wonder what they're doing differently...
Click to expand...

The print head is built into the cart so when you change the cart you
get a new head / nozzles. So it never get's the chance to see any more
ink / time than in there in the first place (less you refill that is).

but for the text
printing I do they should be fine.
Click to expand...

I would say my (older) HP 840c prints a very respecatable picture,
especially when on photo papers (some people I show the printout to
think they *are* photos) ;-)

Their printers used to be very
sturdy, but I haven't hefted a recent model.
Click to expand...

I can't speak of the newer model but this one is quite nicely made and
has given very good servive over 3 years for a 25 gpb 'salvage' offer
;-)
One question about the HP's - will they let you keep printing when the
cartridge gets low, or do they lock up on low ink? I've heard some
woes about this.
Click to expand...

Mine will just keep printing with empty carts.

All the best ..

T i m
 
T said:
Their printers used to be very

I can't speak of the newer model but this one is quite nicely made
Click to expand...

I found the newer models vary in build quality as it seems to depend on
the class of printer and price point.

For instance, the smaller HP Deskjet 5740 is light and feels a bit
flimsy, yet for $50 more the 6540 weighs twice as much and is built like
a tank.

I paid the extra $50 to get the better model, and I haven't been
disappointed.
Mine will just keep printing with empty carts.
Click to expand...

I concur. All of the HP printers I've owned give a low ink warning so
you can be prepared to switch cartridges. But they will continue to
print until they run out of ink. They'll also continue to print if one
of the cartridges is empty or removed.
 
Al said:
One question about the HP's - will they let you keep printing when the
cartridge gets low, or do they lock up on low ink? I've heard some
woes about this.
Click to expand...

The models with integrated ink supply and printhead will allow you to keep
printing past the low on ink warnings, even if the cartridge is empty. This
includes all the HP DeskJet, Photosmart and PSC units. Units with separate
printheads typically give warnings as the ink level gets low and then will stop
printing if the cartridges run low enough. These include the Business Inkjet
models as well as some of the all-in-one units.

Regards,
Bob Headrick, not speaking for my employer HP
 
The models with integrated ink supply and printhead will allow you to keep
printing past the low on ink warnings, even if the cartridge is empty. This
includes all the HP DeskJet, Photosmart and PSC units. Units with separate
printheads typically give warnings as the ink level gets low and then will stop
printing if the cartridges run low enough. These include the Business Inkjet
models as well as some of the all-in-one units.

Regards,
Bob Headrick, not speaking for my employer HP
Click to expand...



Another quick question - the All-In-One printer/scanners cost just a
few dollars more than a printer alone, and they use the same ink
cartridges.

Are they are as good as the printers (the specs give the same
resolution), and is there any down side to them other than size? It
would be nice to bypass the software just to make a photocopy.
 
Al said:
Another quick question - the All-In-One printer/scanners cost just a
few dollars more than a printer alone, and they use the same ink
cartridges.

Are they are as good as the printers (the specs give the same
resolution), and is there any down side to them other than size? It
would be nice to bypass the software just to make a photocopy.
Click to expand...

The all-in-one units give comparable print quality and speed to the printer
they are based on. Personally I prefer the AIO units; currently I use an
Officejet 7410 at home and an Officejet 7310 at work. The AIO units are very
convenient; it is easy to get spoiled with a quick desktop color copier.

Regards,
Bob Headrick, not speaking for my employer HP
 
Al said:
Another quick question - the All-In-One printer/scanners cost just a
few dollars more than a printer alone, and they use the same ink
cartridges.

Are they are as good as the printers (the specs give the same
resolution), and is there any down side to them other than size? It
would be nice to bypass the software just to make a photocopy.
Click to expand...

You just press the copy button on the all-in-one to make a copy. I think you can
even scan directly to the memory card (if the all-in-one has a memory card
slot), without running any PC software.

--
--
Ben Thomas - Software Engineer - Melbourne, Australia

My Digital World:
Kodak DX6490, Canon i9950, Pioneer A05;
Hitachi 37" HD plasma display, DGTEC 2000A,
Denon 2800, H/K AVR4500, Whatmough Encore;
Sony Ericsson K700i, Palm Tungsten T.

Disclaimer:
Opinions, conclusions, and other information in this message that do not
relate to the official business of my employer shall be understood as neither
given nor endorsed by it.
 
The all-in-one units give comparable print quality and speed to the printer
they are based on. Personally I prefer the AIO units; currently I use an
Officejet 7410 at home and an Officejet 7310 at work. The AIO units are very
convenient; it is easy to get spoiled with a quick desktop color copier.

Regards,
Bob Headrick, not speaking for my employer HP
Click to expand...

Thanks for the helpful information!

One more quick question... is there a difference between "Thermal
Inkjet" and printers called just plain inkjet?
 
Al said:
One more quick question... is there a difference between "Thermal
Inkjet" and printers called just plain inkjet?
Click to expand...

Most inkjets use a thermal process of heating the tiny droplets of ink
to fire them out of the nozzles at high speed. Think of bacon grease and
how it splatters when heated. The two terms are interchangeable for this
process.

Epson uses a different process called piezo-electric which uses a
crystal to literally squeeze the ink droplets out at high speed. Think
of a bottle of water with a small spout and how it sprays when you
squeeze it.
 
Al said:
Is any inkjet better, ...
Click to expand...

If I were in the market for a printer that would see
long idle periods, I'd take a serious look at laser,
esp. if color isn't a requirement. Even color laser
printers are amazingly cheap these days.

Dry toner just has to be less troublesome over time
than anything present in liquid form in an opened
package (even if "sealed" at a head parking station).
 
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