What new refillable inkjet printer should someone buy?

[OM2]

If someone was going to buy a new printer and wanted to refill, what should they buy?

Newer Canon carts - you can't damn see how much you need to refill!
(If there's a guide on how to fill these in, please give me a link)

I haven't any experience with Epson or any others
But when I researched 2 years ago, the answer was: buy Canon
Is this still the case?

Thanks


Omar

 

[The Hat]

If someone was going to buy a new printer and wanted to refill, what should they buy?

Newer Canon carts - you can't damn see how much you need to refill!
(If there's a guide on how to fill these in, please give me a link)

Thanks

Omar

Here is a list of just some of the Canon printers that can and cant be refilled easily..
http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=58849#p58849

 

[OM2]

@thehat, thats a great list
so, for the time being: stay away from canon? (for new printers)

 

[PeterBJ]

If you are going to buy a new Canon printer I recommend buying one of the PGI-525/CLI-525 generation,while they last. These cartridges can be refilled using the topfill method with a wooden toothpick used as a dipstick to gauge ink levels, or you can use the more easily refillable PGI-520/CLI-521 windowed cartridges with the PGI-525/CLI526 chips attached. And resetters are available.

I would avoid buying one of the newest Canon printers using the new PGI-550/CLI-551 cartridges. No resetters are available (yet?), and the cartridges are opaque, allowing no visual check of ink levels. Another inkset, not yet available, may also be needed for refill.

 

[OM2]

@peter thanks for that
i think i'll try to rescue my mp640 for myself - the print head seems gone

but i get looads of people asking for advice on what printer to buy
so good information from u helps

 

[turbguy]

I find it hard to beat buying as USED Canon printer off eBay that uses the older un-chipped carts. If if breaks, buy another. If it needs a printhead, there are plenty on eBay...

Wayne

 

[OM2]

@turboyguy, i purchased an ip4500 for less than 20 (delivered)
i have to admit, i am gob smacked at the quality of printing
it's super fast as well
i honestly would have to say that it beats by MP640 and MX870 hands down

 

[PeterBJ]

Hi OM2

Congratulations with finding this fine printer for a bargain price. The BCI-3e/BCI-6 and PGI-5/CLI-8 generations of Canon printers for home use were high build quality, long lived, easily refilled with decent capacity transparent cartridges. Sadly Canon doesn't make them like that any more except for the high-end photo printers.

I have an iP5200 which I like very much, and your iP4500 with its more advanced printhead may be even better. With IS inks and Sihl photo paper they produce photos that are very close to those made with Canon OEM inks and paper.

In the future you may need a service manual in case of problems, you find a simplified service manual here: http://www.gotocommerce.com/free_ma...s/data/Canon iP4500 - Service Manual {EN}.pdf

 

[OM2]

N@peter, thanks for the reply

This is how human kind works: as time goes by, we develop bigger and better and more advanced than previous models - we don't go backwards and develop inferior products and sell these at higher prices!!

That's funny

What's so good about the ip5200?

I've got an old one lying around. All I need to do is clean the print head. If I can get working, maybe I should replace the my super ip4500?

What do you think?

Thanks

 

[websnail]

What's so good about the ip5200?

It was comparable with the iP4300 so your iP4500 is ostensibly a better buy

I've got an old one lying around. All I need to do is clean the print head. If I can get working, maybe I should replace the my super ip4500?

Heck no... keep them both..

Just my opinion mind...