So Long HP.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Michael Johnson, PE
  • Start date Start date
M

Michael Johnson, PE

Thanks for the tip. I was looking at he MP500 until I noticed the carts
are WAY less expensive for the 780.
Click to expand...

I don't like to recommend anything I haven't used personally. I don't
know what the MP500 sells for but the economy of the BCI-6 carts over
the newer CLI-8's is substantial. When I can buy prefilled carts for
less than $2 shipped to my door I don't even hassle with refilling.

I have seen new MP780's selling on ebay from $140-$180 which is a
fantastic deal for the quality of the machine. I have been temped to
buy one and store it just in case the one I bought last year fails.
 
I just stomped my 2175 all-in-one into a pile more befitting its
reliability.

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3/screamingfoot/6c857236.jpg

I own 3 or 4 HP printers and I've had it with this thing and with HP's
"idiot proofing."

I CANNOT have a printer all of a sudden decide that a printer cart is
"incompatible."

I CANNOT have a printer count pages printed and tell me the cart needs
to be replaced when it does not.

I CANNOT have a printer that thinks too much.

So the search for a new printer is on and I'd love any feedback in
regard to a decent inkjet unit that might be agreeable to refilling
carts and that won't try and tell me how to live my life.
 
I just stomped my 2175 all-in-one into a pile more befitting its
reliability.

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3/screamingfoot/6c857236.jpg

I own 3 or 4 HP printers and I've had it with this thing and with HP's
"idiot proofing."

I CANNOT have a printer all of a sudden decide that a printer cart is
"incompatible."

I CANNOT have a printer count pages printed and tell me the cart needs
to be replaced when it does not.

I CANNOT have a printer that thinks too much.

So the search for a new printer is on and I'd love any feedback in
regard to a decent inkjet unit that might be agreeable to refilling
carts and that won't try and tell me how to live my life.
Click to expand...

Based on my personal experience I would recommend going to ebay and
getting one of the few remaining Canon MP780 all-in-one units. I have
used mine for a year and it has been flawless. It also takes the BCI-6
(i.e. non-chipped) cartridges are inexpensive and plentiful from the
compatible ink sellers. I buy cartrigdes from Tyler Martin for less
than $2 each and have not had a single issue in over a year of using
them. I print text pages as cheap, if not cheaper than, a laser printer.
 
I just stomped my 2175 all-in-one into a pile more befitting its
reliability. [snip]
I CANNOT have a printer count pages printed and tell me the cart needs
to be replaced when it does not.
Click to expand...

The PSC 2175 does not count pages, it counts individual droplets. It
does not tell you the cartridge needs to be replaced. It does warn you
that the ink level is getting low and you should have a replacement
available. Unlike most Epson and Canon printers the 2175 will allow you
to print until the ink is actually gone (and beyond).

Based on the picture you posted I have a feeling that you will not be
happy with any printer....

- Bob Headrick
 
Bob said:
I just stomped my 2175 all-in-one into a pile more befitting its
reliability. [snip]
I CANNOT have a printer count pages printed and tell me the cart needs
to be replaced when it does not.
Click to expand...

The PSC 2175 does not count pages, it counts individual droplets.
Click to expand...

Regardless, it's a major pain in the ass.
It
does not tell you the cartridge needs to be replaced. It does warn you
that the ink level is getting low and you should have a replacement
available.
Click to expand...

Sure it does, but then it DOES refuse to print for any number of
reasons like "incompatible cart" "incorrectly installed cart" or
whatever. I've had it with HP.
Unlike most Epson and Canon printers the 2175 will allow you
to print until the ink is actually gone (and beyond).
Click to expand...

It has done that, which is kind of not cool since the head dries out.
Based on the picture you posted I have a feeling that you will not be
happy with any printer....
Click to expand...

Sure I will. I just ordered a sweet Canon unit.
 
while i would choose canon if i wanted only one printer (today an ip5200
but yesterday an ip4000) i am very happy with my hp 990cse deskjet that
i use for business documents usually in draft mode. it is terrific. i
use the canon primarily for photos and when i need the extra paper
handling for special projects like invitations and envelopes.

i have never been a fan for all in ones.
 
Based on my personal experience I would recommend going to ebay and
getting one of the few remaining Canon MP780 all-in-one units.
Click to expand...


you do not have to lower yourself and do business with ebay. if you
really want a canon mp780 just trot down to frys (probably outpost.com
has them since they are owned by frys) and get one. they have them on
the shelf.
 
Bob said:
I just stomped my 2175 all-in-one into a pile more befitting its
reliability.
[snip]

I CANNOT have a printer count pages printed and tell me the cart needs
to be replaced when it does not.
Click to expand...


The PSC 2175 does not count pages, it counts individual droplets. It
does not tell you the cartridge needs to be replaced. It does warn
you that the ink level is getting low and you should have a
replacement available. Unlike most Epson and Canon printers the 2175
will allow you to print until the ink is actually gone (and beyond).

Based on the picture you posted I have a feeling that you will not be
happy with any printer....
Click to expand...


he shouyld know being a former hp employee who stopped telling people that.
 
It has done that, which is kind of not cool since the head dries out.


Sure I will. I just ordered a sweet Canon unit.
Click to expand...

New canons count the drops, but do permit you to go beyond their
estimate. I don't know all the logic layers but there is at the very
least a prism in the cartridges, i.e. there is a means of actually
seeing if the cartridge is 20% empty. But once empty there is no real
way to reset the chips on a cartridge, so a given cartridge will always
be empty.

The mp780 I don't have direct experence with, but I can speak for the
mp760 which should be similar in this regard. This uses a prism to
relay "ink is low" which happens at 20%. From there I think it uses
some form of drop count estimate but I always pull the cartridges and
manualy refilled them for another printer by this point. But the
cartridges are at least clear so you always know if you have under 20%
by look, but it's hard to establish how full a sponge is.
 
zakezuke said:
New canons count the drops, but do permit you to go beyond their
estimate. I don't know all the logic layers but there is at the very
least a prism in the cartridges, i.e. there is a means of actually
seeing if the cartridge is 20% empty. But once empty there is no real
way to reset the chips on a cartridge, so a given cartridge will always
be empty.

The mp780 I don't have direct experence with, but I can speak for the
mp760 which should be similar in this regard. This uses a prism to
relay "ink is low" which happens at 20%. From there I think it uses
some form of drop count estimate but I always pull the cartridges and
manualy refilled them for another printer by this point. But the
cartridges are at least clear so you always know if you have under 20%
by look, but it's hard to establish how full a sponge is.
Click to expand...


Apparently the mp780 Canon uses carts that don't have chips in them and
the carts are REALLY cheap. These Canon machines are pretty highly
regarded so now I'm done with slow performance from the HP and
massively inflated ink prices.
 
Based on my personal experience I would recommend going to ebay and
getting one of the few remaining Canon MP780 all-in-one units. I have
used mine for a year and it has been flawless. It also takes the BCI-6
(i.e. non-chipped) cartridges are inexpensive and plentiful from the
compatible ink sellers. I buy cartrigdes from Tyler Martin for less
than $2 each and have not had a single issue in over a year of using
them. I print text pages as cheap, if not cheaper than, a laser printer.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the tip. I was looking at he MP500 until I noticed the carts
are WAY less expensive for the 780.

I'm over the slow HP and it's other issues.
 
Apparently the mp780 Canon uses carts that don't have chips in them and
the carts are REALLY cheap. These Canon machines are pretty highly
regarded so now I'm done with slow performance from the HP and
massively inflated ink prices.
Click to expand...

I know you've already got an MP780 on order so beyond just saying "I
would have recommended it too".. here's a couple of additional tips.

If you're really using it a LOT and want to avoid a waste mountain of
cartridges you could do worse than spend some time on nifty-stuff.com
forums and learn about refilling.. There's a plethora of information and
experience on there to help.

Oh and they're also a good place for when/if things go wrong..

All the best and enjoy the new printer :)


Martin
[MP750 owner]
 
Martin said:
I know you've already got an MP780 on order so beyond just saying "I
would have recommended it too".. here's a couple of additional tips.

If you're really using it a LOT and want to avoid a waste mountain of
cartridges you could do worse than spend some time on nifty-stuff.com
forums and learn about refilling.. There's a plethora of information and
experience on there to help.

Oh and they're also a good place for when/if things go wrong..

All the best and enjoy the new printer :)


Martin
[MP750 owner]
Click to expand...

Really appreciate the help. I know about refilling, but have run into
trouble lately with this HP I just stomped. I tried the saving carts
and switching thing, but that was a real pain. I'm looking forward to
refilling the MP780 carts with all this ink I bought but couldn't use
on my HP 2175.

I know for a fact that the ink itself is about 50% water, AND I talked
to a guy once who visited HP and was standing inside this large, very
new and swank building which the HP employee tells him, "This was all
paid for by ink."

I don't mind paying for stuff, but I'm sorry, $28. for less than 20ml
of ink is absolutely ridiculous.

So long HP!
 
Apparently the mp780 Canon uses carts that don't have chips in them and
the carts are REALLY cheap. These Canon machines are pretty highly
regarded so now I'm done with slow performance from the HP and
massively inflated ink prices.
Click to expand...

I know this well, I own the mp760. It does have something that
resembles an ink counter, which I "believe" kicks in after the
reservoir side is empty, leaving 20% in the sponge.
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2005_reviews/canon_mp760_pg2.html. I
have never tried to run a cartridge empty so I can't speak about it
directly, but i'm told it will complain eventually if you don't replace
the cartridge after the "cartridge low" warning. Unlike you HP, you
"don't" want to run these dry as the head will cost you $80ish out of
warranty.

Ink is reasonable on the HPs, so long as you don't buy the cheepo model
or a low end all in one. Canons you do have to take the head into
account, which is officaly end of life after the 10th cartridge change,
but i've heard as high as 20. The head is covered under warranty, and
they don't drop like flies, but it's wise to mentally add $1.25 per
cartridge to fairly contrast a canon to an HP with the head on the
cartridge.

This being said, i'd probally still own HP if it wasn't for the ease of
refilling or CD printing. I find the canon AIOs to be a tad immature
in the software department. The springboard menu to make multi copies
from a scan goes through EZ photo print which only permits printing to
Canons. But as long as you already have software to use the scanner
part you should be perfectly happy.
 
zakezuke wrote:




Apparently the mp780 Canon uses carts that don't have chips in them and
the carts are REALLY cheap. These Canon machines are pretty highly
regarded so now I'm done with slow performance from the HP and
massively inflated ink prices.
Click to expand...

canon ink prices while less than hp are still not cheap but you need to
pay for quality.
 
Michael Johnson, PE wrote:





Thanks for the tip. I was looking at he MP500 until I noticed the carts
are WAY less expensive for the 780.
Click to expand...

the difference is about $2.00 at costco. the bci 6 carts are around $9.00
 
Martin said:
I know you've already got an MP780 on order so beyond just saying "I
would have recommended it too".. here's a couple of additional tips.

If you're really using it a LOT and want to avoid a waste mountain of
cartridges you could do worse than spend some time on nifty-stuff.com
forums and learn about refilling.. There's a plethora of information
and experience on there to help.
Click to expand...


this is a cult of posters who discuss how to unclog their printers from
the unknown generic ink they use. also some of them are plants who work
for the relabelers who push this stuff. while at one time there was an
relabeler pushing dude here extolling trhe virtues of the messy
refilling schemes and they made him a moderator on that site.

the best source of info on printers are the various pcmagazines like
pcworld and pcmag. you should see what they say about refilling and
generic ink. they could barely get through a test without a clog and
then seek out www.wilhelm.com and find out what that reputable lab says
about fading of generic inks.

those are some of the reasons i use canon oem ink. plus i want to deal
with professional suppliers.
Oh and they're also a good place for when/if things go wrong..

All the best and enjoy the new printer :)


Martin
[MP750 owner]
Click to expand...
 
I don't like to recommend anything I haven't used personally. I don't
know what the MP500 sells for but the economy of the BCI-6 carts over
the newer CLI-8's is substantial. When I can buy prefilled carts for
less than $2 shipped to my door I don't even hassle with refilling.
Click to expand...

Yeah, good point. It's just that I went nuts one day and bought up a
bunch of ink when it looked like it was going to get scarce and I'd
like to use it up.

I can't believe how inexpensive the BCI carts are, so I'm gonna stock
up. Any idea about "shelf life" of carts? I can't believe they actually
have a limited lifespan as mentioned somewhere I can't recall.
I have seen new MP780's selling on ebay from $140-$180 which is a
fantastic deal for the quality of the machine. I have been temped to
buy one and store it just in case the one I bought last year fails.
Click to expand...

I got a sealed new one for $221. total on ebay so I'm fairly stoked and
SO LONG HP!

I might even chuck my annoying HP 1050 fax!
 
Yeah, good point. It's just that I went nuts one day and bought up a
bunch of ink when it looked like it was going to get scarce and I'd
like to use it up.
Click to expand...

If the ink you bought is formulated for HP inkjets or is generic (i.e.
works in multiple printers) I recommend not using it in your new
printer. It might clog or damage the head. It also may give poor
results for photos and other color printing. The good thing is that if
it doesn't work the worst you will do it kill the print head which can
be replaced by the user.
I can't believe how inexpensive the BCI carts are, so I'm gonna stock
up. Any idea about "shelf life" of carts? I can't believe they actually
have a limited lifespan as mentioned somewhere I can't recall.
Click to expand...

We have had carts sit around for more than six months. I usually buy
40-60 cartridges per order and I never have had an issue with any
cartridges. My guess is they will last years if kept out of the light
and in a relatively cool place like a closet. I have an HP DesignJet
plotter that I use cartridges in that I bought over five years ago.
They work just like they were bought yesterday so I think ink has a long
shelve life.
 
We have had carts sit around for more than six months. I usually buy
40-60 cartridges per order and I never have had an issue with any
cartridges. My guess is they will last years if kept out of the light
and in a relatively cool place like a closet. I have an HP DesignJet
plotter that I use cartridges in that I bought over five years ago.
They work just like they were bought yesterday so I think ink has a long
shelve life.
Click to expand...

That's what I thought.

By the way, I got the Canon MP780 (for G5) and it's awesome. Thanks
again for the tip.

So Long HP!
 
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