CISS or Refillable Ink Cartridges?? Need Help.

[Rock Slide]

I apologize if this topic has already been covered. I did search, but either the threads were outdated (links no longer any good) or the info was related to Canon printers...

I had no idea CIS systems even existed. Had I not stumbled across Steve's Digicams Forums when searching google for an answer to my service light on my Epson R300, I'd have never known! (Add to the fact I never knew about the external waste ink reservoir mod and I feel like I've been living in the dark!) A member on Steve's site directed me here. Great to know there's a web forum such as this soley on ink and printers.

Ok, so I'm still learning about CISS and have read a good bit on their purpose and how they work, but now I'm not sure if they are worth the time and hassle to keep them running smoothly? I'm just a home user, but me and the family print all of our many digital photos out using our Epson R300. We've had this printer since new (3+ years) and it performs flawlessly. We've also just been buying oem ink cartridges as we need them...and that's getting expensive.

Since, me and my wife both use this printer to print photos, I'm curious if a CISS is too much of hassle to keep up and running? I myself could maintain it, but not my wife. She freaks at the slightest glitch w/ the printer and/or PC. Therefore, I've thought about just purchasing aftermarket ink cartridges instead. I just have no clue which is the best aftermarket ink for our printer? Thoughts??

I'm a bit over whelmed at all the CIS Systems and aftermarket ink cartridges available...

 

[fish]

Rock,

Welcome - I'm the guy that referred you from Steve's. You may also try your hand at refilling. I purchase Image Specialist inks from Mikling - his store is at:

http://home.eol.ca/~mikling/

I have tried a few other inks and have settled on IS.

Mikling has refillable cartridges for your printer. I am a Canon user, from what I have read not many have had success at CIS with Canon. I believe that most posters are refilling their cartridges.

Good Luck

 

[Rock Slide]

Thanks fish, I'm loving this site thus far. Tons of info.

Great, I'll check those out. I failed to mention on Steve's site that my wife prints out photos just as much as I do. Therefore, having a less complicated system (such as refillable cartridges) would probably be the better route for me to go vs a CIS.

Still though, if anyone has a good recommendation on a CISS for a Epson R300, I'm all ears! (I'll just have to force my wife to learn how to maintain it.)

 

[msmart]

Rock, a CISS isn't that complicated. Much easier than refilling, IMO. Epson's are well suited for CISS.

The CISS I used is linked in this thread:

http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=4051

I used the same CISS with my R200 and R220 printers. I was happy with the ink quality. The only thing I didn't get good at was profiling (matching) the color across multiple paper and dvd media types. Do a search to read up all about it. Fun stuff.

 

[siusiuenen]

as a home user, i think a better way to buy stuff from Milking as Fish recommended and buy a squeeze bottle for it. That make the job supper easy for anyone in you house and it's cleanest job for refill. If you go for ciss then make sure you buy a good one because i was buy one before on ebay and give me a lots of hassle and last only for 1 year.

 

[Rock Slide]

Rock, a CISS isn't that complicated. Much easier than refilling, IMO. Epson's are well suited for CISS.

The CISS I used is linked in this thread:

http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=4051

I used the same CISS with my R200 and R220 printers. I was happy with the ink quality. The only thing I didn't get good at was profiling (matching) the color across multiple paper and dvd media types. Do a search to read up all about it. Fun stuff.

Well, if it's not that complicated, I may still give it a shot. I know I can handle it, it's just my wife that feels unsure about using a CISS.

as a home user, i think a better way to buy stuff from Milking as Fish recommended and buy a squeeze bottle for it. That make the job supper easy for anyone in you house and it's cleanest job for refill. If you go for ciss then make sure you buy a good one because i was buy one before on ebay and give me a lots of hassle and last only for 1 year.

I've seen those ebay kits and wonder about them myself. If a deal is too good to be true it probably is.

BTW, how does refilling cartridges work? I mean, do I keep my oem cartridges and refill them or do I need new cartridges that are designed for refilling?

 

[fish]

Rock,

I've been refilling using the "german" method (with a chip resetter) for over two years on my Canon MP830 without a hitch. I don't know how the refillable carts from Mikling work with an Epson but maybe someone else who uses it can provide some feedback. The refill method for the Canon is at:
http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=2465

 

[Rock Slide]

huge, I can't speak to any of your options, but I can tell you that I have a CISS from eBay seller superEseller:

http://stores.ebay.com/superEseller...W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ16967420QQftidZ2QQtZkm

I've had the one for the R200 and used it for a couple years before it died (the printer) then moved it to a R220. The R220 has died (clogged print head) but I had used it for a couple years as well. So the CISS has lasted me about 4-years. I've bought several refill kits (ink bottles) from him as well over the years.

Msmart, from what you've said above in that very thread, I'd be willing to try their CISS. BTW, you said your R220 died to clogged print head...that was not due to the CISS was it? If so, any ideas what caused it?

Oh and looking at superEseller's ebay store, they only offer one Epson CIS kit...and it is labled as only being for the R260, R280, R380 & RX580 models. Not the R300. I emailed the seller 2 days ago, but have yet to hear back from them. Curious to know if it will work on my R300 as I do not know much about those other model epsons listed.

It's ebay item# 350151497621 if you care to see it.

EDIT: The above ebay seller emailed me back today...they do in fact have a CIS for my epson R300 (guess it just was not listed in their store.) Check it out if you wish. It's item# 390092734528. $83 shipped.

Rock,

I've been refilling using the "german" method (with a chip resetter) for over two years on my Canon MP830 without a hitch. I don't know how the refillable carts from Mikling work with an Epson but maybe someone else who uses it can provide some feedback. The refill method for the Canon is at:
http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=2465

Thanks Fish. That's very interesting. I touched base w/ Mikling thru email yesterday...will be calling him tomorrow. Just want to get some more info from him on refilling epson cartridges. Still on the fence about which system to choose - CISS or refillable cartridges.

 

[johnwarfin]

As mentioned in the other thread I've had experience with aftermarket ink on a couple Canons and several Epsons including the R200, R220, R300, and more recently R280. IMO CIS is a HUGE advantage over refilling carts for both brands.

I think those who disagree were turned off by compatibility and quality issues that plagued 1st generation CIS. The latest kits, often described as 4th generation, are a big improvement. Cheaper than cartridge sets, shipped full of ink, they don't leak, pop right in and work out of the box.

 

[Rock Slide]

As mentioned in the other thread I've had experience with aftermarket ink on a couple Canons and several Epsons including the R200, R220, R300, and more recently R280. IMO CIS is a HUGE advantage over refilling carts for both brands.

I think those who disagree were turned off by compatibility and quality issues that plagued 1st generation CIS. The latest kits, often described as 4th generation, are a big improvement. Cheaper than cartridge sets, shipped full of ink, they don't leak, pop right in and work out of the box.

Thanks! I'm still in the market for a CISS...just have not had much time as of late to get one.

Are they any specific 4th gen kits you'd recommend for an Epson R300? The market seems to be flooded all kind of kits available.