The Watcher

If you're wanting to explore the world of third party inks, I would suggest these guys. They have taken the time and expense, to build icc paper profiles for your printer using their ink. An important step in the printing process.

http://www.precisioncolors.com/E6b_79bref.html

Catfish Media Loc: East Texas

I have owned my 1430 for about a year now and I have had a great experience with the quality of the prints. I also still run an Epson 700 and an 810 model and use 3rd party ink in all of my printers for over 3 years now and have had no bad issues at all. this is where I get my ink from if you are interested. http://continuousbulkinksupplysystems.com I calibrate my monitor and printer using a Colormunki system and my Lightroom prints match the monitor nicely.
Also Epson has the 1430 Refurb for 199.00. To find it on the Epson site you must enter in the search box (Refurished 1430) or you won't find it.
Good luck Frank this is my 2 cents worth.

Frank W Loc: Adirondacks in NY

Thank you for the reply, I'm always wary of off brand inks, but will check the link and maybe try some in my Epson 800. And off I go to check out the refurbished 1430