Epson Ecotank ET-16600 vs WF-7840DTWF

[pharmacist]

My Epson WF-7525 is almost end of life and has to be replaced. Since I need the possibility to print A3 I was looking at these two printers fitting my needs, Both print at a speed of 25 ppm BW and 12 ppm colour (same Precision Core print head), but one is with built-in CISS (Ecotank), the other with cartridges, but the price difference is huge: 3.5x between the cartridge based WF-7840DTWF and the CISS based ET+16600. They even use the same waste ink cartridge.

Since there are fillable cartridges and resetters available for the 405 (XL) cartridges), I might better choose the significantly cheaper WF-7840DTWF printer. I already have liters of good quality Inktec pigment ink for my Epson WF-7525 printer.

 

[pharmacist]

I just ordered the Epson WF-7840DTWF AIO printer, because it was much better deal for me as a dedicated refiller. I also ordered 2 sets of refillable 405XL cartridges and I discovered the usb-powered resetter recently bought for my Epson XP-15000 378/478XL cartridges (both aftermarket and original cartridges can be reset) is also compatible with 405 (XL) cartridges, used in the Epson WF-7840DTWF AIO printer

 

[websnail]

I've been keeping an eye on the reports of customer service when it comes to the expensive ET series and it seems Epson haven't really learned to treat them any differently from their bog standard cartridge fed machines.

There's still plenty of reports of "buy a new one" for something less than a month out of warranty or printers being replaced with a similar model but one that is obviously suffering from other problems and the list goes on. So on balance I suspect your decision is the best one...

The sheer cost of the A3 size ET series printers has been nothing short of obscene compared to the A4 series so glad you were able to save your money

 

[pharmacist]

So finally installed the Epson WF-7840 DTWF printer. Refillables are under way now and hopefully I can see how these carts are functioning and can be reset with my XP-15000 resetter.

 

[pharmacist]

I discovered the scanner is perfectly calibrated, unlike my previous Epson WF-7525, which produces scan with a colour cast. It matches visually exactly like I can see under normal viewing condition in bright light.

Here a scan of a printed page from my Epson SC-P800 (upper part) and Epson XP-15000 (lower part):

 

[pharmacist]

Today I installed a set of refillable Epson 405/405XL cartridges in my Epson WF-7540 printer to see how they perform and also if my Inktec HP H5088 pigment ink (Formulated for HP printers, using bubbjet technologie and therefore can be used in both Canon, HP, Brother and Epson pigment ink printer without any problems).

After priming I printed the nozzle check page and made a scan of both the original Epson 405/405XL ink and the Inktec HP5088 pigment refill ink.

Above nozzle check: original Epson 405/405XL ink
Lower nozzle check: Inktec HP5088 pigment refill ink

Yesterday I made a copy of the cover of children's book using the original Epson 405/405XL ink and today I did the same but now with the Inktec HP5088 pigment refill ink in the refillable 405/405XL cartridges. Left scan is printed with original 405/405XL ink and right is the one using the Inktec HP5088 pigment refill ink (no additional colour correction, just press on the button copy of the printer):

As you can see only a very slight colour difference. The HP refill produces a slightly deeper and darker black.