Cheap to run ink jet?

[Osem]

I'm after a new all-in-one inkjet to replace my ageing Lexmark X85 - the main redeeming feature of which is the fact that I've been able to refill it's unchipped black and colour cartridges many times over the years saving me ££££s....

Can anyone recommend a good AIO printer with, preferably, unchipped cartridges which can be easily refilled. If that's not possible, something reliable with good print quality for which cheap compatible cartridges are readily available and which doesn't suffer from issues like print heads regularly getting blocked etc.

I've read that some printers require 'self cleaning' frequently using loads of ink and I'd obviously like to avoid that problem.

TVM as always.

Anything that does not have the print head fitted to the cartridge. Canon and Epson for example are just reservoirs whereas Lexmark and HP are complete cartridge and print head in one

[Osem]

To be honest, I've had very few issues with my Lexmark cartridges over the years. I was always wary about the prospect of having to junk an expensive combined head/reservoir type cartridge but have hardly ever had to do that. I don't do a vast amount of printing and tend to not to do it regularly so I'm wanting to avoid printers which really need to be used frequently to prevent the print head being damaged.

[carlwaring]

I can recommend Epson too. my DX3800 uses four individual cartridges and I can get 14 (3 of each plus 2 extra black) for around a tenner on ebay.

[Osem]

Interesting - I've been considering the Epson 425w but have heard reports that the heads suffer from clogging problems and that cheap ink refills aren't available. Know anything about that?

Cheers.

[carlwaring]

No, sorry, I don't. All I know is mine's fine; and has been for a few years now.

[Taf]

Kodak 100%


Lexmark and Brother left me fuming and out of poocket

[techguyone]

Canon, get loads of ink cheap on ebay, and they use multi tanks, unlike those stupid 'colour' ones where you use all the green say, and to print more green you have to replace the entire cartridge, despite the other colours being ok.

Originally Posted by Osem

Interesting - I've been considering the Epson 425w but have heard reports that the heads suffer from clogging problems and that cheap ink refills aren't available. Know anything about that?

Cheers.

I owned two epsons and both suffered clogging problems, especially when used with refills.

That combined with their truly awful customer service and tech support means I'm determined never to own another Epson product, ever again.

---------- Post added at 13:37 ---------- Previous post was at 13:35 ----------

Originally Posted by techguyone

Canon, get loads of ink cheap on ebay, and they use multi tanks, unlike those stupid 'colour' ones where you use all the green say, and to print more green you have to replace the entire cartridge, despite the other colours being ok.

Green is a combination of (mostly) cyan and yellow ... if your printer won't print green, then two of the three colours in the combined tank are depleted.

</pedant>

Fair point though, separate tanks are more economical in the long run. I use Canon these days, they have championed separate tanks for years.

Originally Posted by Chris

I owned two epsons and both suffered clogging problems, especially when used with refills.

That combined with their truly awful customer service and tech support means I'm determined never to own another Epson product, ever again.

---------- Post added at 13:37 ---------- Previous post was at 13:35 ----------



Green is a combination of (mostly) cyan and yellow ... if your printer won't print green, then two of the three colours in the combined tank are depleted.

</pedant>

Fair point though, separate tanks are more economical in the long run. I use Canon these days, they have championed separate tanks for years.

I still run a R300 this printer is old. Yes when not used for a long period of time the inks do clog but I am yet to see a printer brand this has not happened with ( in the field I have seen loads and loads before anyone says my one doesnt do it) 6 seperate inks cost me less than a fiver so on the odd occassion it blocks it only costs a few pence to pass a few runs using the epson utility. The most ive had to do is change the cartridge meaning the head has actually never clogged really anyway

[Osem]

Originally Posted by heero_yuy

I've been using a Stylus 680 for years with few problems, I often refill the carts and use a chip zapper to reset them. Very few clogging problems and they are usually after fitting a cartridge. Trick is to let the printer rest for a day after fitting replacement cart(s) and then do the nozzle check and clean if needed. I think it's air locks rather than blockages that cause the problems.

Interesting TVM for that. Any idea if the sx425w cartridges can be 'zapped' using that thing or similar?

---------- Post added at 21:13 ---------- Previous post was at 21:12 ----------

Originally Posted by Zing

I still run a R300 this printer is old. Yes when not used for a long period of time the inks do clog but I am yet to see a printer brand this has not happened with ( in the field I have seen loads and loads before anyone says my one doesnt do it) 6 seperate inks cost me less than a fiver so on the odd occassion it blocks it only costs a few pence to pass a few runs using the epson utility. The most ive had to do is change the cartridge meaning the head has actually never clogged really anyway

Where do you get your inks from Zing?

[Ben B]

I use a HP Deskjet F4180 AIO and usually pay £15-20 for a pair of compatible cartridges from ASDA, they last a while too. Printer only cost me £30 as well

Originally Posted by Osem

Interesting TVM for that. Any idea if the sx425w cartridges can be 'zapped' using that thing or similar?

---------- Post added at 21:13 ---------- Previous post was at 21:12 ----------



Where do you get your inks from Zing?

SVP. I aint bought any for a while and buy discs at the same time to soak up the delivery

[Osem]

Originally Posted by heero_yuy

I think this one does it. Says SX400, SX405. Gives the carts which it does. Epson are being very sneaky though on the later models:



I've also bought clone carts from Trago Mills under the "Jet tec" brand, only £4.75 for the colour and IIRC £1.99 for the black and they've worked fine.

I couldn't find a reference to the 425 cartridges (T12... series) on the list so not sure it it'd be compatible. I also read about that sensor thingy last night on one of the websites I checked out after posting here. I really detest that sort of thing and it's hardly environmentally sound is it?....

[Hom3r]

To be honest I would never buy an inkjet.

I would always buy a colour laser, yes the cartridges cost a lot (cheaper online) and will be far far cheaper in the long run.

Ink jet ink is the one of the most expensive liquids on the planet, I did hear that it costs $750,000 to fill the space shuttle with fuel. If they used printer ink it would be over $500,000,000 to fill.