Best PGI-220 and CLI-221 refill inks?

[jamorama]

After doing some research on the forum and on sites like ebay, I still am not sure what I should get. I have looked around, and octoink (precision colors) and hobbicolors seem to be the better kinds out there. As of now, the hobbicolors UW8 seems like best choice as I live in the US. So my question is, in your opinion, what is the best dye based (the 4 colors) ink and what is the best pigment based (1 black) ink? I was wondering if I should just go with the 5-set from hobbicolors...

Can anyone help? Thanks!

 

[Red John]

There are users in Dpreview that are delighted with the OCP German inks. According to the realized tests it seems to have a permanence bigger than the inks of Image Specialist and Hobbicolors.

 

[RMM]

Hobbicolors is the most inexpensive quality option. Image Specialists (Precision Colors) is also an excellent option. The general opinion is that the Image Specialists colors more closely match the OEM ink without using a color profile.

If you are concerned with photo color fidelity without tweaking too much or using profiles you might want to stick with the Image Specialists inks.

I have no experience with OCP but I have heard a lot of good things about them as well. I'm not sure about the price or availability of the OCP inks.

 

[iP4XXX]

I have no experience with OCP but I have heard a lot of good things about them as well. I'm not sure about the price or availability of the OCP inks.

I also have not used OCP ( I use Image Specialists (Precision Colors), but here is a link for OCP inks:

http://www.rjettek.com/catalog/advanced_search_ink.php

Looks like the smallest packaging is 16oz priced as follows:
PGI-220 = $16.91
CLI-221BK= $14.35
CLI-221C = $15.60
CLI-221M & Y = $12.04

They also sell 32oz and 128oz.

 

[jamorama]

Thanks for the replies. Now, the thing is this is for personal use, I simply don't need 16oz per color. I'm looking more at 4oz per color minus the pigment, which can be more. Hobbicolors (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260661704928&ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT) already has a bundle that I would be able to purchase that would include almost everything I need to refill by the 'germon' method. That said, I have no problem with other inks if a similar solution can be found (Remember: Shipping(California) and cost are pretty big issues)

Edit: Another issue I need to mention is that I need a 2" needle/syringe. Hobbicolors supplies one with the set, while precision colors supplies one that would be too short. Of course, this shouldn't be the decider, but unless I am able to find a place to purchase syringe/needles, I am leaning towards hobbicolors.

 

[jimbo123]

when i was starting out i used a separate syringe and 2" needle for each ink cartridge. better yet, get a spare syringe/needle for each too.

just email hobbicolors owner dave what you are looking for, tell dave that you are a member of the nifty-stuff forum, he'll take care of you. he knows many of us here at nifty-stuff very well.

J

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Printers: Canon MP830, IP4500, MX700, MX860
Method: German Durchstich Method
Ink: Hobbicolors
Misc: Squeeze bottles - so much easier than syringes

 

[nche11]

When you asked this kind of question you should be prepared to hear personal opinions mostly. People tend to say good things about what they use unless they have a real problem with the product. I doubt there is really a significant difference between any good quality ink and OEM. I printed a bounch of photos, some with OEM and some with Hobbicolors ink. Honestly after 6 months I could not tell which was printed by which by looking at the prints. I have to wait for 6 months at least to do this test. Otherwsie I may still remember which was printed by which.