Try your local Cartridge World (If there is one in your neck of the woods!),
In the UK and some parts of the US they can both refill and reset the chips
on these cartridges so you lose no functionality of the cartridges nor do
you lose any ink quality.
Regards
Stick
Hi,
My family uses Canon MP530 printer for general printing job.
Any concerns using non-OEM cartridges? And where I can order
some less expensive compatible ink cartridges? Any suggestions?
TIA,
Hi Tony:
Based on your email address, you're located in Canada, just as I am.
I'm located in Ottawa, Ontario, have worked in the IT industry for 23
years now, 17 of those in supporting very large-scale variable print
operations (hardware and software).
With respect to non-OEM PGI-5 and CLI-8 ink cartridges for the Canon
MP530, they are available within Canada. However, you should be aware
of a few things before you travel the non-OEM route.
1. The use of non-OEM cartridges requires that you move the "chip"
from the original OEM cartridge to the replacement non-OEM cartridge.
Canon has seen fit to install chips on the CLI-8 and PGI-5 cartridges
used by this printer, and the printer will not operate unless these
chips are present on each cartridge. You need to re-use the original
chip from your empty Canon cartridge (see
http://www.idiya-solutions.com/Canon_Chip_change.pdf
), so save them. Non-OEM cartridge manufacturers, so far, have been
unable to replicate this chip, though I've read about non-OEM chipped
cartridges recently becoming available in Europe. I haven't yet seen
any in Canada, however.
2. Since the original Canon chip cannot be "reset" (afaik) to reflect
a full ink cartridge, you will need to override the print driver
warning that you have a "low ink level", most likely multiple times,
by pressing the OK button to continue printing (see page 99 of your
user guide) after inserting a re-chipped non-OEM cartridge. After a
number of these overrides, your print driver should warn you that:
a) it's detected that you're attempting to use non-OEM cartridges,
b) that continued use will cause the low ink-level monitor to be
disabled (see 3. below)
c) that continued use will void any remaining warranty on your
printer.
Once you've accepted all of these warnings, the printer should
continue to operate without further interruption. This is Canon's
method to "persuade" you to stick with their pricey OEM cartridges.
There's really little reason not to go ahead and void your warranty
and proceed using non-OEM ink cartridges. However, it is YOUR
choice. If you're worried about wrecking the printer, be comforted by
the fact that you will likely be able to pick up a new one for a few
dollars more than the cost of a full set of OEM cartridges. If it's
on sale, maybe even less! For example, the latest iP4500 is available
at Staples for C$129.76, and it comes with a set of OEM cartridges...
and the cost for a set of OEM carts at Staples for this puppy? (4 x
18.62) + 19.95 = C$94.43. Guess that means Canon is selling the
printer for about $35...
3. Canon inkjets are thermal inkjet printers, i.e. they use heat to
rapidly expand the ink within a jet, causing a drop to be ejected from
the nozzle. It is important not to continue to use the printer with
an empty ink tank. The presence of ink cools the nozzles during use.
If there is no ink, it is likely that the nozzles will overheat, and
possibly burnout, ruining the printhead. Once you have started using
non-OEM cartridges, the ink level monitor will be disabled, and you
will have to manually monitor the ink level within each cartridge.
Refer to this post for a good tip (you may have to unwrap the link if
this editor wordwrapped it):
http://groups.google.ca/group/comp....632a0/3762a454662651a4?hl=en#3762a454662651a4
4. Ink quality can vary widely with non-OEM cartridges. The trick is
to find a 3rd party brand that you like, and works well for your
"general printing" purposes. Personally, I like the CoralJet brand,
and have used them for a couple years now with excellent results, even
with photos. I'm quite impressed with this ink. FYI, I'm not related
in any way to the vendor.. it's just that the vendor happens to be
located here in Ottawa, which also makes it convenient for my needs...
and at C$3.15 a cartridge, it's a fraction of the price of Canon
cartridges. He does ship within Canada via post. See:
http://www.idiya-solutions.com
The savings over time are substantial, to say the least.
5. As far as non-OEM ink clogging the jets - my only experience with
a clogged jet happened with the original factory-supplied OEM Canon
ink with my iP5300, and then only with the pigment-based PGI-5 black
(the CLI-8 cartridges are dye-based). I practically emptied the PGI-5
cartridge trying to flush the jets using the print-driver-based
cleaning cycles without any success. Since the printer was
practically brand new, I called Canon and they sent out a new
printhead. Upon receipt, I tossed the offending OEM PGI-5 and
replaced it with a CoralJet equivalent, overrode the print driver
warnings, and have had zero problems since. (note: Later, I was
eventually able to flush out the clog in the original printhead by
soaking the head in isopropyl alcohol, and now have a "spare" for this
printer).
Regardless, after the original OEM set of ink cartridges were run
through our printers, we've used nothing but CoralJet cartridges, and
have had absolutely no clogging problems. I purchased a total of 8
Canon printers for myself and my extended family - 4 x iP5000's, 1 x
iP6000D, 2 x iP5200's, and 1 x iP5300. All are using CoralJet
cartridges, and all with great results... and I've saved thousands of
dollars that would have otherwise been spent on OEM ink cartridges.
Warning: No doubt you'll encounter posts from the resident troll
"measekite", who will rant on and on about sticking with the factory
Canon cartridges regardless of cost. My advice is to ignore him. Do
some research, and make up your own mind.
Another option is refilling your OEM cartridges. It's even more
economical, but can be messy. One of my favourite sites is
http://www.nifty-stuff.com for non-OEM inkjet cartridge and refilling
information.
Cheers!
Phineas
