Pharmacist
I think pigment ink is just a interm solution while they (ink manufactures) try to make dye inks fade resistant.
The difficulties you experiencing may be hardware related ( printhead and electrical characteristics are optimized for dye ink) and cannot be resolved without...
Pharmacist,
Some of these 'Happy Users' are not user at all but are company insiders trying to promote their product and put down their competitors at the same time.
Case in point comments posted by Don Yong (http://photo.net/digital-darkroom-forum/00JRDw)
I will copy them here for you to see...
Mikling...... the complex and " beautiful " design is Epson's attempt to prevent their cartridges from being refilled and is not for the benefit of the consumer. Am I getting my money's worth ? In Vancouver, Canada, a Epson r-1800 cartiage cost $17.99 + taxes = $20 each X 8 =$ 160
for a set...