Canon i860 nozzle check pattern black pigment 3eBK pattern is missing

[optimizer]

Hi,

I was looking at an i860 printer (to get around my i960 woes).
I ran the nozzle check pattern on the i860.
All the colors printed, but its black pigment 3eBK ink pattern was completely missing from the top of the sheet.

Is that a dire situation on these i860 printers? Is it not worth buying/messing around with an i860 in this situation?

Thanks
:/

 

[Ron350]

The i860 uses the same print head as the iP4000 and it is a good printer. The pigment black part of the print head could just be clogged or fried electrically.
How much do they want for it?

 

[optimizer]

Not a lot. Worth buying just for the ink carts.

I think I've read on here and other places that it's the pigment ink that gives the main problem, so this i860 and others with the 3eBK cart must be the printers with this pigment ink clogging issue (I don't know if my other i960 uses pigment ink, having all BCI-6 type carts).

Does this 3eBK pigment ink clog require different cleaning methods than dye based ink clogs?

and I almost forgot to ask - what will the lack of 3eBK pigment ink affect? Is this for black and white text printing, therefore will this printer be no use for text, and only good for printing photos.

Thanks