My main computer guy once said "Non OEM ink cartridges just aren't worth the hassle" .
The big issue is that if you clog the jets with crappy ink, the printer is essentially a write-off. Warranties are void by using third party consumables- apparently the big brands are able to test ink residue in the machine to test for this.
My -old- Canon has only had originals through it and it's 100% perfect still and has never ever clogged a jet . Must be at least 5 years old, possibly even seven
Chris-HB is right 7/10 times after market inks ain't worth the hassle, they're quite often inferior inks that end up clogging the heads or producing sub-par results and quite often you'll find the after market inks will only last 2/3-1/2 the distance of the original inks too. While there are a few after market inks that'll work it can be a hit n miss gamble trying to find them.
Correction about the warranties tho, your warranty isn't void by using after market but the manufacturer will not repair anything potentially damaged by after market inks i.e. the heads (unless of-course this was a fault proved to be no association with inks). Technically under NZ law the after market cartridge manufacturer would/should have to cover the malfunction caused by their product, but that argument can more often than not be more hassle than it's worth
I think if you are doing quality prints that are guaranteed to last then the cost of branded ink can be justified, probably cheap ink does shorten the life of the printers but for my use I'm happy with the compatible ink and take a chance on it stuffing up the print heads, I just got a complete set of compatible ink from inkvenus for less than 1 branded, it would have cost me as much to buy 6 Epson cartridges as the original cost of the printer, it seems they sell the printers cheap, then rip us of for ink.
I bought my first computer and printer in 1997 and this is my 3rd printer and I always buy the cheap stuff. I have my fingers and toes crossed that it will last a bit longer.
My sister bought a set of non-genuine ink cartridges for her Epson printer and it ruined the internal electronics of the printer somehow. Thinking it was only the cartridges to blame, she bought a brand-new set of genuine Epson cartridges and it ruined those too. I have an Epson printer that uses exactly the same cartridges and none of her genuine cartridges work at all in my printer. So it was a very expensive lesson for her.
I would never use non-genuine cartridges in any printer. Some people have had good success with the continuous ink flow bottles which hook into a set of dummy cartridges. However, if printing cost was a serious issue, I would buy a colour Laser printer as their running costs are much lower once you have paid the initial $400 - $600 cost.
Chris-HB;436810 wrote: My main computer guy once said "Non OEM ink cartridges just aren't worth the hassle" .
...
My -old- Canon has only had originals through it and it's 100% perfect still and has never ever clogged a jet . Must be at least 5 years old, possibly even seven
Agreed 100%. My Epson is 4+ years old and I've only ever used genuine ink cartridges. It has never clogged a jet in that time whereas my Brother was constantly doing it, even with exclusively genuine cartridges being used.
GrantK;436921 wrote: ....... However, if printing cost was a serious issue, I would buy a colour Laser printer as their running costs are much lower once you have paid the initial $400 - $600 cost.
We've just upgraded to an
Epson Workforce Pro
printer which they claim has the ink economy of a laser. $469 including a replacement warranty so up with the price of a laser but top reviews so we took the plunge. Wifi so I'm not continually taking the lappy to the office to print and it prints at least up to 300gsm light card so our local print service sees a lot less of us. Brilliant machine
Regarding cheap ink try watching TM for that offered by sellers whose printer has died. Prior to getting rid of our previous (Epson Stylus) we picked up most of our (genuine) cartridges for $5-$7 each (instead of $20-$25 retail).
Harm Less Solutions.co.nz
NZ & AU distributor of Eco Wood Treatment stains and Bambu Dru bamboo fabrics and clothing
Organix;436940 wrote: We've just upgraded to an
Epson Workforce Pro
printer which they claim has the ink economy of a laser. $469 including a replacement warranty so up with the price of a laser but top reviews so we took the plunge. Wifi so I'm not continually taking the lappy to the office to print and it prints at least up to 300gsm light card so our local print service sees a lot less of us. Brilliant machine
Sounds like a brilliant piece of kit. If it lives up to these claims it will be amazing:
Ink Yield Information:
Epson provides ink cartridge yields based on the ISO / IEC 24711 and 24712 standard for inkjet products, which excludes the first installed cartridges.
676XL Black (T676XL120): About 2400 pages
676XL Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow (T676XL220, T676XL320, T676XL420): About 1200 pages per color
It will be interesting to hear what you get in practice!
Well, thanks, I guess I won't buy the generic product then. We don't use much of the coloured stuff - maybe 1 set every 6 months so not worth getting a laser printer.
GrantK;436967 wrote: Sounds like a brilliant piece of kit. If it lives up to these claims it will be amazing:
It will be interesting to hear what you get in practice!
Admittedly the cartridges are much larger than the ones for our CX3500 but the prices I've seen makes them good buying if the life expectancy is as claimed.
Harm Less Solutions.co.nz
NZ & AU distributor of Eco Wood Treatment stains and Bambu Dru bamboo fabrics and clothing
Have Epson printer and using GOINK cartridges and not happy at all only troubles and they do nothing to compensate! They either do not work or don't last...
And I have not chosen the cheapest company. They knew how to sell themselves, though!
In past had trouble with other company too. Going back to original cartridges.
Well I'm going to put a spanner in the works. I've used refillable cartridges in my epson and never had a problem. I only do basic home printing. Maybe I've been lucky. I dont know.
wandering free;436918 wrote: I think if you are doing quality prints that are guaranteed to last then the cost of branded ink can be justified, probably cheap ink does shorten the life of the printers but for my use I'm happy with the compatible ink and take a chance on it stuffing up the print heads, I just got a complete set of compatible ink from inkvenus for less than 1 branded, it would have cost me as much to buy 6 Epson cartridges as the original cost of the printer, it seems they sell the printers cheap, then rip us of for ink.
I bought my first computer and printer in 1997 and this is my 3rd printer and I always buy the cheap stuff. I have my fingers and toes crossed that it will last a bit longer.
My printer failed a few months after I posted this last message, but it had nothing to do with the cartridges I use, now I am on my fourth printer in 18 years and am still using the same cheap cartridges I always use and have done on this one for the last 3 years, but I don't use it for quality photographs, that's expecting to much for the price.
