inkjet printers/all-in-one - what to buy????

[dave.l]

Hi folks

Am a relatively (ancient!) newboy to the printer minefield!

There are so many alternatives/makes available I could sure use some advice!

With space/cash limited, I think an all-in-one with individual, unchipped, refillable, colour cartridges + black, giving reasonable photo reproduction and copying plus standalone copying would fit the bill - if such is now available?????

If such a beast has/is not yet marketed , a good photo quality inkjet, individual colour cartridges - preferably refillable & unchipped might be suitable (retaining my ancient, existing, all-in-one for correspondence/copying etc)

Now into digital photography - any advice on current or recent models still available, would be gratefully received!!!

 

[Osage]

Yes Dave.1,

Run don't walk to your nearest Fry electronic store---who have the Canon MP780 on sale for $150.
after rebates this week.--the flagship Canon MP printer with non-chipped cartridges--which is based on the Canon ip4000 pruinter engine, but also has a A4 flatbed scanner, and also a fax.----some might prefer the better scanner of the MP760, but then you lose the fax and best of luck finding one. But the MP730, MP750, MP760, and MP780 can do stand alone copying and even have a ADF to boot.

I have the previous generation equivalent in the MP730 I picked up cheap refurbished. Its a great machine but it lacks the dye based photoblack cartridge. ---so I use my wifes ip4000 for better quality photoprinting. If you want a Canon printer that is better than an ip4000 for photoprinting and is non chipped------six, eight , and even a future 10 color models are there or will be coming---but not in multifuntional form and without chips.

So I would recommend you look to a Canon MP 750, 760, or 780----and only the MP780 is readily available retail.----and I look for the last of them to be gone very soon from the retail supply chain.
You might be able to find a MP760 on ebay new, but I seriouly dought you could get one for $150.00 shipped. Another option if you need to scan 35 MM slides and negatives and don't need a fax.

 

[websnail]

So I would recommend you look to a Canon MP 750, 760, or 780----and only the MP780 is readily available retail.----and I look for the last of them to be gone very soon from the retail supply chain.

I'm with Osage on this... I have an MP750 myself and it's a {deity}send..

Unfortunately they're discontinued so you'll find yourself looking for a refurb or second hand unit.. Some of these are available in the USA from ebay if you do a search but I couldn't be sure that they're a genuine refurb/service center as they've never once bothered to reply to any of my emails.. :|


Just as a quick aside.. I've noticed that Canon have officially announced their new MP models all of which are of course going to be chipped versions..

The MP540, MP800R and MP830...

Given the actual cost of these units is going to be obscene in the extreme AND the carts are chipped and equally horrendously priced to run I'd steer clear.. but I plan to look at the MP540 and MP830 with a view to turning them into CIS enabled units.

 

[dave.l]

Thanks for your advice friends!

I'm in the UK and have located suppliers of the MP780's, although they're pretty expensive for my pension!! I don't really need fax (or card reader slots as I have these in my computer) I've been refilling cartridges on my existing ancient all-in-one with some success but machine is now approaching trash-can!

Now into digital photography so I need seperate colour cartridges, preferably ones I can refill & therefore un-chipped (which I assume is the case with the MP780). I've searched around for the earlier 750 range but these seem not now available.

My old printer was my first & only! - so I value your help and advice - I'll wait to see if you've any further thoughts and then probably go for the 780.

Many thanks & regards - Dave -

 

[Osage]

I have little extra advive--other than if you don't need a fax you are as well off with a MP750 as with a MP780--and only the MP760 has the better scanner---but those three are same genertion printers --are unchipped--use the exact same cartridges as your i860, and if only your internal mechanics of your i860 are ready for the trash can, make sure you save the printhead---as it--I am pretty sure-- will also fit any one of the three in the MP series mentioned.--always nice to have a spare printhead on your shelf.--read threads on this forum on how to clean and store it.---but given you are already invested in a i860 is more reason to restrict your search to only those three models---price and availability must also guide.

I understand printer prices may be somewhat higher than in the USA---but check your local Canon website for refurbished units also--those from Canon itself carry the same 1 yr warranty as a new unit.

But if you have more time than money-----shop around---have the money in your sock--and when you find a good deal grab it.

 

[websnail]

I'm in the UK and have located suppliers of the MP780's, although they're pretty expensive for my pension!! I don't really need fax (or card reader slots as I have these in my computer) I've been refilling cartridges on my existing ancient all-in-one with some success but machine is now approaching trash-can!

Even though you don't really need the fax, I did some searching myself as I was intending to supply MP750's to some schools I support then did the math on the 780... Basically whilst there is a small premium of 30 or so for the fax functionality (used or not), it's nothing compared to the fact that my testbed ip4200 (which is the newer printer unit used in the MP830 in May or thereabouts) requires consumables at around 45+ for a new set.. Add to that the soon to be released chipped MP units are about 100 more expensive than the MP780 and suddenly you have a LOT of compelling reasons for getting the unchipped MP780 yesterday!

Now into digital photography so I need seperate colour cartridges, preferably ones I can refill & therefore un-chipped (which I assume is the case with the MP780). I've searched around for the earlier 750 range but these seem not now available.

I got mine on ebay and there are a few from the Canon outlet but I wouldn't really recommend too many of the others..

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Canon-Outlet_Canon-Printers_W0QQcolZ2QQdirZQ2d1QQftidZ2QQtZkm

This might be worth a look though..

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Canon-MP780-M...oryZ3303QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

If in doubt though I'd go with a retailer and try www.pricerunner.co.uk to get a comparison on price...

 

[dave.l]

Hi friends!

I have now ordered a MP780. After some bewilderment, I decided you chaps know best and have ordered one!

I considered the Epson RX620 with its six cartridges and orientation to photography, but reviews were so-so. Then I considered the Canon MP500 that would have fitted the requirements, but couldn't establish whether the tanks were chipped! (The few MP760's I located were much more expensive than the 780!)

Despite the MP780 having but three colours and two blacks, all the reviews I studied gave this the best multifunction rating - including photo reproduction - followed closely by the MP500.

I expect I will soon be studying the forum posts about re-filling. Any advice on this and - with probable periods of disuse - what are the problems with clogging of print heads? With my old (dare I mention it!) Lexmark, I tended to run a colour test sheet at bi-weekly intervals after experiencing a permanent blockage when yellow ran out unbeknown and that head bunged up - a couple of times - even though indicator showed full - tricolour tanks!

Thanks again for your help - Regards - Dave

 

[websnail]

Just as an aside Dave... I'm about to order in a whole lot more Canon and Epson inks that I actually need but the minimum for my supplier is a litre of each so if you're interested I'd be happy to let you have a 125ml selection of the colours (inc photo black) and 250ml of the standard black at a whole lot less than buying them from MIS Associates (one of the recommended ink retailers) direct..

They're the same ink, it's just that I'd rather offset my costs a little if I can as we've just moved house and money is tight enough to make my wallet squeak

That'd help you with the which ink to get and how question at least


As to refilling... You've got a LOT of reading ahead of you but it's pretty simple if you pay attention.. Best of luck...

 

[Osage]

To Dave.1,

The MP500 is chipped---so you guessed right.

In terms of refilling----read up on this forum---lots of good suppliers, but make sure the ink
you get is formulated for Canon printers. And I doubt Websnail would steer you wrong and if good deals are offered its sure something to consider. Because shipping costs and small quantity orders can eat savings.
Sharing is always better.

But you now have a printer that will get you into super cheap per page ink consumable costs.
Now its just a matter of getting started in refilling---the big ticket items are already purchased.
After that its just a matter of harvesting the savings. Enjoy.

 

[Osage]

To Dave.1,

After some thought I decided I have the time to give you better than a mere enjoy as a send off into the world of refilling. As somewhat a newby refiller, I want to leave you with some facts and observations.--hopefully something to guide you as you read up on refilling.

1. In terms of ink consumable costs for your printer-----ink bought in the form of Canon OEM cartridges--and denomated in US prices --costs you $2600 per gallon for the large text black BCI-3ebk cartridge and $4300 per gallon for the BCI-6 colors. In contrast, high quality refill inl can be bought for $100 per gallon in fairly large lots of a 1/8 a gallon or greater and probably less than $300 per gallon in lesser sizes. The gallon unit is somewhat unimportant--it converts to any other unit, the US price ratio will be similar to UK prices, and bottom line the savings are huge.--and compelling.

2. Your printer will come with Canon Oem cartridges. They will last some time and buy you the luxury
of time to learn something about refilling. Save the wing nuts off the cartridges and these cartridges may become your first refill candidates when they empty.

3. Your first refilling decision is to locate a supply of ink and one syringe. Any Canon formulated ink from MIS, Formulalabs, or hobbicolors are good choices. Others may recommend other options in your local UK market. But having some inks on hand for every cartridge variant is still step 1.

4. Your next step is to understand that you--the user must create an ink inlet hole in any cartridge you refill ( unless you buy a special blank where that hole is already created)----and also find a way to air tight seal that ink inlet hole after refilling. Its also nice to have at least two complete sets of cartridges.
So you can swap out cartridges and refill at your leisure. Since buying a complete set of Canon OEM is very expensive consider getting a third party prefilled Cartridge set which may be far cheaper. But your Canon OEM set will probably be the first cartridges you refill when they empty. Or maybe you can get creative and lucky and find someone who just throws out their Canon Oem cartridges when depleted. You should get at least six refills out of each cartridge before you encounter problems and may need to
do anything special.

5. Sadly, the instructions on many refill kits is not all that instructive. I have found it normal and alright when the sponge completely color saturates. So read some of the hobbicolor threads to get a better idea of what to expect-----while there is a danger of overfilling---the cartridges are far more forgiving and easy to refill---I note that years ago I tried refilling Lexmark and HP cartridges and made a botch of it---but have now refilled quite a few Canon cartridges with 100 % sucess.--as someone else put it, its like putting gas into a gas tank. There is a learning curve---but not a big one--and once you get it down its real easy.-----if I can do it anyone can.

6. So happy reading-----if you have questions---ask---but the first steps are often the hardest.