Are Canon BCI-3e Black and PGI-5 Black cartridges interchangeable?

fdm2000

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I have a Canon Pixma iP 3500 using PGI-5 black pigmented cartridges and a Canon i560 using BCI-3e black pigmented cartridges. Except for the chip on the PGI-5 the two cartridges appear identical in size and configuration. I have several full BCI-3 cartridges that I would like to use in the iP 3500 if compatible.

Will the BCI-3s work with the Pixma iP 3500 without the chip?

Thanks for any insight
 

ghwellsjr

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No, they will not fit.

You can put the chipped dye ink CLI-8 cartridges in a printer designed for the unchipped BCI-6 cartridges and they will work but the colors will be off but not the other way around.

You could put the chipped pigment black PGI-5Bk cartridge in a printer designed for the unchipped BCI-3eBk cartridge but it won't stay in place because the locking mechanisms are slightly different.
 

fdm2000

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Thanks for the response and advice, GHWjr.

I was of the opinion that Canon had made interchangeability problemmatic - your comments confirmed it.
 
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