Canon Mega Tank inks???

[Paul Verizzo]

Having had Canon printers for almost a quarter century, I've seen several ink named ink types, the most recent one being Chromalife 100. For the dye inks, of course, not Pro-10 or CL5 PGBK pigment inks.

My new G2020 Mega Tank has no such branding. Somewhere in the literature I say something about "hybrid" ink. Maybe that was just referring to the pigment black alongside the dye color inks.

There is nothing on the Canon site claiming any special benefits such as what Chromalife inks might do.

Any thoughts or knowledge?

 

[Ink stained Fingers]

Your observations are correct - Canon names its dye inks 'Chromalife 100(+) and the pigment inks 'Lucia (Pro) in different versions - different generations and combinations of colors, these are very well performing inks - gamut and longevity, the Megatank printers - the lower end/entry level models come with a Canon no-name inkset, and as bad as it is - these Canon no-name inks are no better than other 3rd party noname inks in regards to its fading performance/longevity, they just don't perform well, I have tested them several times and there is as well a Wilhelm Research report available. One of the recent reports is available here

https://www.printerknowledge.com/threads/canon-bottled-dye-inks.15247/#post-133472

But you have an option - the bottled inks of the G620/650 Megatank printer are genuine Chromalife 100 inks, and you are able to swap these inks with a syringe and a long needle over into the bottles of your printer. You find similar comments here

https://www.printerknowledge.com/th...on-canon-ink-for-a-pro-100.15567/#post-135864

 

[Paul Verizzo]

Your observations are correct - Canon names its dye inks 'Chromalife 100(+) and the pigment inks 'Lucia (Pro) in different versions - different generations and combinations of colors, these are very well performing inks - gamut and longevity, the Megatank printers - the lower end/entry level models come with a Canon no-name inkset, and as bad as it is - these Canon no-name inks are no better than other 3rd party noname inks in regards to its fading performance/longevity, they just don't perform well, I have tested them several times and there is as well a Wilhelm Research report available. One of the recent reports is available here

https://www.printerknowledge.com/threads/canon-bottled-dye-inks.15247/#post-133472

But you have an option - the bottled inks of the G620/650 Megatank printer are genuine Chromalife 100 inks, and you are able to swap these inks with a syringe and a long needle over into the bottles of your printer. You find similar comments here

https://www.printerknowledge.com/th...on-canon-ink-for-a-pro-100.15567/#post-135864

Wow, thanks for that information!

Of course, I've now got three full color tanks. I just tried to jam one of my long needles into one of the refill holes, could not. However, it almost fits, so I think a small drill bit will do it. Or, heat the needle and melt its way in. I like the latter, no chance of particles.

I did keep the old ink bottles. I wonder if the G620 and G2060 use the same bottle/tank indexing? Meaning, how they prevent color cross contamination by the shape of the bottle end and receiving tank. In which case, if the same, no need to transfer.

Canon has redesigned their site since the last time I was there and it is horrible. Apparently, any printer that is not being sold by them, there is no information available. None, even if the printer is still be sold by dealers or you may have a NOS printer. I could NOT find the G620 inks!

Any thoughts or knowledge about the color profiles of the two ink families?

UPDATE: I figured out how to find the inks for the G620.

 

[Ink stained Fingers]

UPDATE: I figured out how to find the inks for the G620. No mention of being Chromalife on the packaging.

Canon is not interested for some reason to tell users prominently that the GI23 inks are Chromalife inks, please have a look here
https://www.usa.canon.com/shop/p/gi-23-magenta-ink-bottle?color=Black&type=New
It is stated in the overview

Dye-based, ChromaLife100 rated ink for beautifully vivid and long-lasting photos.

And there are a very few other locations with this info

https://www.canonwatch.com/canon-announced-new-all-in-one-wireless-inkjet-pixma-printers/

It states there in the G620 description

six color dye-based ChromaLife 100 inks helping to promote archival photo quality

But that's about it - you are not really supposed to know...................

I have tested these inks - they are very good indeed.

You can insert a long needle into the ink bottle - pull up the ink and load it into the original G2020 bottles, the bottle coding is most likely different since they are diferent inks.

 

[Paul Verizzo]

Canon is not interested for some reason to tell users prominently that the GI23 inks are Chromalife inks, please have a look here
https://www.usa.canon.com/shop/p/gi-23-magenta-ink-bottle?color=Black&type=New
It is stated in the overview

Dye-based, ChromaLife100 rated ink for beautifully vivid and long-lasting photos.

And there are a very few other locations with this info

https://www.canonwatch.com/canon-announced-new-all-in-one-wireless-inkjet-pixma-printers/

It states there in the G620 description

six color dye-based ChromaLife 100 inks helping to promote archival photo quality

But that's about it - you are not really supposed to know...................

I have tested these inks - they are very good indeed.

You can insert a long needle into the ink bottle - pull up the ink and load it into the original G2020 bottles, the bottle coding is most likely different since they are diferent inks.

Thanks again for your continued assistance!

I did later find the Chromalife 100 in the description, no mention of "+". I would presume it is.

I've decided that if I want Chromalife, I'll use my Pro 100. Use the G2060 color for unimportant work.

 

[Ink stained Fingers]

I have not seen relevant differences between a Chromalife 100 and a Chromalife 100+ ink in fading tests, it just may indicate that the Pro-100 inkset comes with more colors.

It is quite easy to handle to use the GI23/GI53 Chromalife inks of the G620/650 Megatank printers in other printers via ink swap, the GI23/53 inkset just does not come with a pigment black but only with a dye black.