Please help me decide on a printer (Page 2): I just bought an Epson xp-960 "small-in-one". The photos it prints are fantastic. Two paper trays and a back slot that takes 11" wide. When...

neilds37 Loc: Port Angeles, WA

I just bought an Epson xp-960 "small-in-one". The photos it prints are fantastic. Two paper trays and a back slot that takes 11" wide. When closed up (an automatic operation), there is nothing protruding. Has ports for SD, MS, and CF cards. Wireless. Top flat-bed scanner. Six ink cartridges, rather on the small side. Will print, through the cloud, from anyplace on earth. Print sizes up to 11" x 17", or 8.5" x 44".

Flyerace Loc: Mt Pleasant, WI

I LOVE my Epson ET-2550. The ink bottles only cost $14.00 each (there are 3). I bought some backup bottles in case I went crazy printing photos. You can barely see the drop in the ink and I've had it 8 months. If you are trying to print professional jobs on this printer, you might be putting it to the test, but if you print an occasional batch of photos, it is great. (I did have a problem with the first printer (clogged print head), but Epson replaced it right away and sent a prepaid FedEx return label. I, too, am sick to death of the ink cartridges that lasted 10 seconds after inserting. One of the best decisions I've made.

PictureThis....

I have the Canon Pro 10 and love it. It is basically a photo printer. Ink costs can make you scream uncle, but when ordering on line, I always get assorted free photo papers! (a great idea for using up ink regularly! Works wirelessly so you don't need to have it next to your computer. I also have a Mac and their support is superior to Epson (had the Epson 1900 before this one). Good luck with your decision.

Sinewsworn Loc: Port Orchard, WA

foathog wrote:

I'm ready to dump 2 HP printers and buy one wirele... (show quote)

Canon Pixma Pro 100. I have a HP 6320. Fine for office stuff but photos are not ad "clear" and focused and every print from the HP gas a color cast.

al lehman Loc: San jose, ca.

I havea Canon pixma pro 100 and love it. Once I tuned it up to my compter and monitor it produces excellent quality prints. Normally around $400 but B&H I believe sells the pro 100 for around $140 as part of a rebate program i believe.

foathog wrote:

I'm ready to dump 2 HP printers and buy one wirele... (show quote)

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

al lehman wrote:

I havea Canon pixma pro 100 and love it. Once I tuned it up to my compter and monitor it produces excellent quality prints. Normally around $400 but B&H I believe sells the pro 100 for around $140 as part of a rebate program i believe.

They pay you to take the Pro 100. The net, after the rebate, is currently $130. It comes with it comes with full, regular ink tanks. Not "trials" or "starters". That's worth $125. They throw in 50 sheets of big paper and that is worth about $50. That means the printer itself has a negative cost of about $45.

Replacement ink will "feel" expensive. In fact, if you figure out the cost per print it will be near or less than the cost of sending them to a print lab that will do the same quality.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

foathog wrote:

what computer are you using?? I read a review of that unit that said if you had a Mac you would have trouble setting it up. they guy wasn't real happy. LOL

I've used Epson printers with Macs and PCs since the model 777, and never had an issue with any of them. You just have to go to Epson's web site and download the latest driver for your OS. Most can now be configured to "phone home" and get the latest updates automatically.

The only issues with the big ink tank printers: The inks are water soluble. Don't get your prints wet! Since there are only four inks (face it, it's an office printer!), photo quality isn't perfect. But if you use Epson paper and inks and the Epson driver, and calibrate your monitor, and use proofing profiles, they can be quite pleasing.

Oh, and don't buy an inkjet printer unless you use it at least once a week to print something in full color. That keeps the heads from clogging.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

burkphoto wrote:

.....Oh, and don't buy an inkjet printer unless you use it at least once a week to print something in full color. That keeps the heads from clogging.

I've left my Canon Pro-100 unused for months at a time (while on extended RV trips) with no clogging problems. It might help that it uses dye, not pigment inks.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

bsprague wrote:

I've left my Canon Pro-100 unused for months at a time (while on extended RV trips) with no clogging problems. It might help that it uses dye, not pigment inks.

In my experience, it does help, in that it heats the ink each time the printer is powered up. I let mine sit for months at a time, power it up and print with no problems. This is decidedly different from the clogging problems I've experienced with pigment ink printers. Here's a link to Red River's study concerning printing costs for various sized prints (Red River makes excellent paper): http://www.redrivercatalog.com/cost-of-inkjet-printing-canon-pro-100.html

bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

Ihttp://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-444088-1.html# have an epson eco tank, Ive printed 100's of 8x10 photos and you cant even see where the ink has moved. Im happy with it EXCEPT it hates talking wireless to my computer. Others in the house are ok ,but it hates my computer so I had to wire it.

You can't tweak the printer too much so I had to change settings on my print program . At first I hated the pics but now after some trial and error they are looking as good as most cartridge printers. and yes if I had to Id buy another...

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

bsprague wrote:

I've left my Canon Pro-100 unused for months at a time (while on extended RV trips) with no clogging problems. It might help that it uses dye, not pigment inks.

Different technology (bubble jet vs EPSON's piezo electric crystal things.).

Jim Bob

Teton Viewer wrote:

Consider a Canon Pixma Pro 100, at this time only $129.99 at B&H and possibly elsewhere after a mail in rebate, offer listed as good until 2/28 although I think they've had it for most of the past few months. This is a photo printer only with many very satisfied photo users. It uses 8 ink cartridges which are expensive if from Canon. The price before rebate is $379.99.

Hell of a printer. Can't come anywhere close to this quality at its price point or even double it.

neilds37 Loc: Port Angeles, WA

neilds37 wrote:

I just bought an Epson xp-960 "small-in-one". The photos it prints are fantastic. Two paper trays and a back slot that takes 11" wide. When closed up (an automatic operation), there is nothing protruding. Has ports for SD, MS, and CF cards. Wireless. Top flat-bed scanner. Six ink cartridges, rather on the small side. Will print, through the cloud, from anyplace on earth. Print sizes up to 11" x 17", or 8.5" x 44".

Edit: I've been keeping close records since day one for my Epson XP-960, printing a wide assortment of photos, and after 9,990 sq. in. printed the ink cost is $0.004/sq in.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

neilds37 wrote:

Edit: I've been keeping close records since day one for my Epson XP-960, printing a wide assortment of photos, and after 9,990 sq. in. printed the ink cost is $0.004/sq in.

Very interesting. So, approximately $4 for 125 8x10s?

neilds37 Loc: Port Angeles, WA

TriX wrote:

Very interesting. So, approximately $4 for 125 8x10s?

OOOP's. My error. That is $0.004 per color. Huge difference. 9990 x .004 = $39.96 x 6 = $239.76.