Printer experience: I'm new to the forum and I have enjoyed the various discussions I have monitored the last few weeks. I currently own an Epson 4900 Photo printer which when it works...

Cape Coral Joel

I'm new to the forum and I have enjoyed the various discussions I have monitored the last few weeks. I currently own an Epson 4900 Photo printer which when it works does and outstanding job. The problem with this printer and other Epson's I have owned is the print heads are prone to clogging. My version has finally failed and it's not from over use. I spent nearly all day last Sunday only to find out the Yellow head has failed. To get to that point I used about $ 300.00 in toner trying to clear the 10 print heads. I have decided to trash this 150 pound beast and purchase a Canon Prograph Pro 1000. I was wondering if anyone has had experience with that Canon model. I appreciate any feed back.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Cape Coral Joel wrote:

I'm new to the forum and I have enjoyed the variou... (show quote)

Welcome to our forum!

That sounds like a smart move.

Cape Coral Joel

Thank you Jerry for the welcome. The Epson cost nearly $1100.00 to replace all of the toner and its tough when you lose half of it unclogging the printer.

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

Cape Coral Joel wrote:

I'm new to the forum and I have enjoyed the variou... (show quote)

Cape Corel Joel - I have the Pro-1000, and love it! It's easy to use with extraordinary print quality on sizes up to 17x25 with the latest firmware updates. No issues with clogging even when I haven't printed for awhile. If you do pull the trigger, get some help to unbox and place it, as this is a heavy beast.

Cape Coral Joel

Thank you for your reply. I placed the order for the Pro 1000 it is offered with a $ 300.00 dollar mail in rebate which runs out at the end of the month. I have owned several canon and Epson printers and the Epson really has a clogging issue. I understand the printer is a little heavy, my Epson 4900 weighs in at 140 pounds Plus and the physical size is huge. I will miss the role paper feature of the 4900, but it will be well worth the sacrifice if I don't have to clean the heads for an hour before I can use the printer.
Thank you again for taking the time to respond to my inquiry.

Best,
Joel

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Cape Coral Joel wrote:

I'm new to the forum and I have enjoyed the variou... (show quote)

Epson printers usually fail from LACK of use. You have to print frequently to keep the pigment from separating out of the ink and clogging the lines or the head.

If you only need a few prints a month, find a giclee service bureau (high end inkjet lab). Get their printer profiles...

Cape Coral Joel

Hi Burkphoto. I have owned a number of Epson printers and they all have the same clogging problems if they are not used on a regular basis. The 4900 is plagued with that problem regardless of the frequency of use, which also includes a history of print head failure. I really enjoy printing photo's it kind of extends the photo taking process after the shutter is clicked. I have invested in 4k monitors and I built a high end computer to tie everything together. Thank you for your advice and recommendation.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Cape Coral Joel wrote:

Hi Burkphoto. I have owned a number of Epson print... (show quote)

I put several Epsons in a pro portrait lab. We had a 9600, 9800, and 9880. The only time any of them clogged was when they sat for over a week.

Fortunately, we ran them all at least several times a week most of the year. During our rush seasons, they ran around the clock. In January and July, we had to run "tests" to keep the lines and heads clear.

The 9600 was most prone to clog, but it lasted 10 years with a little TLC and one head replacement. I only remember three or four clogs in that time.

Cape Coral Joel

It sounds like you were kept busy. You would think that Epson would have fixed that problem years ago.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Cape Coral Joel wrote:

It sounds like you were kept busy. You would think that Epson would have fixed that problem years ago.

They have improved their heads by adding Teflon, and they've re-formulated their inks several times.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Cape Coral Joel wrote:

I'm new to the forum and I have enjoyed the variou... (show quote)

I have been using an Epson 3880 Pro for about 10 years now ( as well as other Epson's) and I never ever had a clogged head, even after the 3880 sit idle for 2 years!

Merlin1300 Loc: New England, But Now & Forever SoTX

I refuse to buy ANY printer without a replaceable printhead. Which locks out epson, brother, and just about all but Canon.
Of course any of the current Canon printers SUCK INK, even while off
But with good quality, Inexpensive, third-party inks these days from LD, Ink4Work, Direct Printing Supplies - -
Who Cares ??

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Merlin1300 wrote:

I refuse to buy ANY printer without a replaceable printhead. Which locks out epson, brother, and just about all but Canon.
Of course any of the current Canon printers SUCK INK, even while off
But with good quality, Inexpensive, third-party inks these days from LD, Ink4Work, Direct Printing Supplies - -
Who Cares ??

Epson's pro printers do have replaceable heads. We had to have a couple of them replaced over the five years I ran the large format printing department in a lab.

cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

I have owned several Canon inkjet models including the Pro9500 Mk II and its predecessor as well as several smaller ink jets Canons (latest is the iP7220) and have never suffered a clogged head problem. I use only Canon OEM ink cartridges.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Merlin1300 wrote:

I refuse to buy ANY printer without a replaceable printhead. Which locks out epson, brother, and just about all but Canon.
Of course any of the current Canon printers SUCK INK, even while off
But with good quality, Inexpensive, third-party inks these days from LD, Ink4Work, Direct Printing Supplies - -
Who Cares ??

Can't agree with that assessment of Canon. I keep my Canon Pixma Pro 9000 mkII switched on permanently, and do low volume but moderately regular printing. It certainly does not suck ink, and I've never had a printhead problem. My last Canon Pixma did have a printhead die after about six or more years, but the Pixma Pro was cheaper and better with the right deal.