Are all aftermarket cartridges created equal?

[LOTL]

Just picked up a Canon MX-982 for $50 and couldnt resist the deal. I knew going in that the CLI-226 AND PGI-225 cartridges are not the best out there like some of the older Canon cartridges nor are the newer Canon print heads.

Like i said i couldn't pass up the deal. I want to get away from refilling as the Girlfriend wants to be able to plop a cartridge in if need be when im not around. So that leads me to looking for aftermarket cartridges for the MX-982.

I have looked at some real inexpensive aftermarket cartridges on Ebay, Amazon and Meritline, but im not convinced this isnt a get what you pay for deal or maybe worse. I have read some reviews where people have trashed their print heads using aftermarket cartridges and inks.

I have an email into inksupply.com to see if the aftermarket cartridges they sell use the image specialists inks or if they are just the same ole Chinese stuff everyone else is selling.

So if anyone happens to have any luck using aftermarket cartridges and wouldnt mind sharing where they got them, id really appreciate it.

 

[jtoolman]

EPSON and 3rd party refamufactured carts.....OK
CANON and 3rd party remanufactured carts.....BAD!!!!!!
You simply never know what you are getting and you simply do not want to take a chance of frying the thermal head with carts that starve the head of ink. Which will cause its demise.

The only option for CANONs is to refill your OEM carts.

You could always have a couple of sets filled and reset always on standby, ready to use when needed.
I switch a complete set whenever one goes low. That way you are not purging ink with EVERY individual carts switch. Once you get going with your printing, you find you are constantly changing empty carts for full ones.

 

[Simon R.]

Generally, there are 3 types of aftermarket cartridges:

1. Remanufactuerd - most of the components of the OEM cartridges are used -- recycled or just cleaned
2. Clones - build from scratch, new components built on the OEMs basis.
3. Compatible - more like the clones, but the manufacturers have invested in researching the technology instead of cloning it from the OEMs

The quality of any of the above can vary.

 

[websnail]

... and just to add to Simons list...

4. "Remanufactured" branded but actually new build (ie: compatible, non OEM) cartridges... Effectively, rip offs.

This latter category seem to be popping up more in the Mid-East and Africa though if the various counterfeit bust news bulletins are anything to go by.

 

[The Hat]

I will add my shillings worth to this discussion also by saying.

Buy a set or two of empty 221/220 OEM cartridges, they can be gotten easily from good ink suppliers
like percisioncolor.com /octoinkjet.co.uk, along with I.S. inks.

These cartridges are easy to refill and are an excellent replacement for your current opaque ones
by just swapping over your 225/226 chips onto them, not forgetting a resetter..

Happy Refilling..

 

[LOTL]

I will add my shillings worth to this discussion also by saying.

Buy a set or two of empty 221/220 OEM cartridges, they can be gotten easily from good ink suppliers
like percisioncolor.com /octoinkjet.co.uk, along with I.S. inks.

These cartridges are easy to refill and are an excellent replacement for your current opaque ones
by just swapping over your 225/226 chips onto them, not forgetting a resetter..

Happy Refilling..

TheHat,
Looks like refilling is the way to go. If i can find some OEM 221/220 cartridges, the idea Jtoolman had of keeping a spare set handy sounds like a good plan.
Now how easy is it to swap over the chips?

 

[The Hat]

TheHat,
Looks like refilling is the way to go. If i can find some OEM 221/220 cartridges, the idea Jtoolman had of keeping a spare set handy sounds like a good plan.
Now how easy is it to swap over the chips?

Its funny you should say that, like when you first had the ideal to refill your own cartridges it does sound daunting till you try it,
then it turns out to be easy and very rewarding, well heres one I prepared earlier.
http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=41631#p41631
Enjoy..

 

[ThrillaMozilla]

These cartridges are easy to refill and are an excellent replacement for your current opaque ones
by just swapping over your 225/226 chips onto them, not forgetting a resetter.

But he still needs the chips. Two sets of cartridges with two sets of chips.

So here's an idea. Buy another set of cartridges, new or used, and try refilling them. If you then think you need transparent cartridges, then you can get a set and try swapping chips.

 

[LOTL]

So here's an idea. Buy another set of cartridges, new or used, and try refilling them. If you then think you need transparent cartridges, then you can get a set and try swapping chips.

This sounds like a good plan, other than id have to be a little extra careful while filling. Ill drill out a set of new or used OEM 225/226 cartridges and see how it goes. I did this on an old I560 canon printer i still have, but it was so long ago i dont remember what method i used.
Any how to's for the 225/226's?

Edit: Isnt there a reputable source for aftermarket cartridges that i can swap the 225/226 chips onto or is it best to just stick with the OEM Canons?

If i was to find some empty used 225/226 cartridges, would they have to be cleaned out before filling with 3rd party ink?

 

[The Hat]

I think youre getting yourself all mixed up with the different cartridges, the i560 would have used the big BCI-6 clear cartridges,
where as your current 882 model uses opaque small ones and 221/220 are also small but semi opaque (Easier refilled).

There are a couple of threads on here regarding the refilling of the 225/226 but
because these cartridges are opaque you need to take extra care not to over fill them and block the air maze.

Again regarding aftermarket cartridges they are ok to use once, but should not be refilled because of reliability issues (Poor quality)
so yes is your answer stick with refilling only OEMs for the best results.

If you can find some empty 225/226 cartridges well and good but only for their source of replacement chips
and not for refilling, get and use the 221/220 empty ones instead..