JimBart wrote:
I need to say before I get started that I have already ran a search here on the forum for "printer(s)" and have found numerous topics on this subject however the dates of the latest responses on most of them range from 2012 to 2015. So please bear with me on this "more recent" posting.
As I said, I am in need of a new printer which can perform multiple uses...copy, scan and, print quality photos and works with Windows 10. I currently possess an Epson XP-620 which uses 4 cartridges (photo black, cyan, magenta and yellow). and was satisfied with it until the ink resevoir reached its maximum print count and quit running (One unknown feature that all Epson printers have). After locating and installing a new replacement, this printer is placing ink splotches at the beginning of each print cycle. I have tried cleaning print heads and the nozzle to no luck and even reinstalled the new resevoir. Consequently the need for a new printer.
I print mostly photos (up to 8X10 size) but do utilize the copy and scan modes on occasion.
What do you recommend today for that is cost effective and still provides quality prints using several cartridges.
Thanks a bunch
I need to say before I get started that I have alr... (
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Before you trash your current printer (and assuming you don't just want something new or an upgrade), view this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nw3k90Fj3Tg and check out this website:
https://resetkey.net/reset-epson-xp-620-end-of-service-life-error-message.html and this website:
https://printerkeys.com/resetting-epson-xp-620-waste-ink-pad-counter.html (I haven't used these particular reset apps, see below).
Epson has had a history of building "expiration" dates into their printers. I had a different model that "expired" 3 times before I finally dumped it, when it started having problems feeding paper and cleaning didn't help. In that case, I downloaded one of those small apps (or "keys") and that worked fine resetting the "page counter" Epson had built in. Two more times I did this and the printer continued to work fine. So I used it more than 3X longer than Epson thought I should! Their "printer has expired" messages are utter BS. Just a way to get you to buy a new printer, even though there's actually nothing wrong with the one you already have.
I don't recall where I got the reset app that I used. I don't think it was one of the above downloads, but can't be sure.
I think I've read that Epson has "upped their game" so that the apps can reset them once, but not a second time. Still, you can get 2X the life out of the printer.
I can't suggest a replacement printed because I don't use anything like you're seeking and am not a fan of "all in one" printers. I use two 13" wide format (Canon Pro-100 and HP B9180), both 8-color printers designed primarily for photos.
I can tell you that if you want to make photographic prints good enough to hang on the wall, you need at least a 6 color printer (typically Cyan, Light Cyan, Magenta, Light Magenta, Yellow and Black... though some of the newer printers come with a red ink replacing one of the other colors). If you want to do black & white prints, at least 8 colors are usually necessary (the above colors, plus a couple grays).
The most efficient printers have individual ink tanks for each color. Anytime a printer uses cartridges with multiple colors, you end up with waste because you'll be throwing away some ink whenever any particular color runs out.
There now are some "eco" printers with refillable ink tanks. But as far as I know all of those are four color only (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black), which won't make very good color prints.
I think most or maybe all 8.5" wide printers utilize dye based inks. If you want prints to have a decent life span, look carefully at the inks being used. The inks in the old Epson mentioned above were "rated" for 25 years, but on certain papers there was significant fading in a year or less. The dye based inks in my Canon Pro-100 are rated for 100+ years, while the pigment inks in my HP are rated for 200+ years. Obviously I'm not too concerned in either case!