help choosing a color print, scan, copy (and fax)?

[gaki]

Hello,
I was wondering if anyone here might be willing to offer some advice...
I am trying to choose an inexpensive color 4 in one, that is refiller friendly, or has very good prices for replacements.

What I am lookin for:
I think I will be printing around 150 low quality color pages a year (color slides to study for school).
I will be faxing just few times a month (to my ma).
I definately want scanner and copy features, but it doesn't have to be anything stellar (just for school).

What I got:
I already own a a samsung ml4600 bw laser printer, which I plan to use for just about all my bw prints.
I have a thinkpad with vista and MS office 2007, and a desktop with xp.
I live near a "cartridge world usa" store
I live in hawaii (shipping can be awful).

My questions!:
1. Any recommendations on models and where to buy? im trying to keep the price in a ballpark of $150 or less, but I'm flexible.
2. I originally was ready to settle for a Pixma MX300 and then i read on this forum that this one may have a chip in it that makes it unrefillable...should I give up on this?
3. Do I need a fax function send and receive faxes, given my OS and hardware? I read somewhere that faxing through your computer is not always easy, so I thought I should get the fax function. I don't mind a slow fax, but I don't want a 15 min setup each time.
4. I see this stuff about these All in ones being vista approved or something.. should I avoid certain machines if they do not specify that?
5. It would be nice to have this new equipment working for about 5+ years, at least. So, reliability is important.

Thank you very much to anyone who replies! I have spent soo much time trying to research this, finally settling on a canon pixma mx300, only to be thwarted by evil chips. Man, shopping for this stuff is exhausting!
Please help! thanks thanks!

moi.

 

[websnail]

Based on what you've said I'd say to go for an MX700 or MP610..

The MX700 is pretty basic but does what you'd need and actually seems more or less designed for that spec'.

The only thing I would say is that you'd want to print a little more regularly than you seem to, so perhaps divert the odd printing job through it instead of the laser, to avoid clogging.

Otherwise pretty much what you'd need.


Answers:
1. (see above)
2. I would leave the MX300.. it's got tri-colour cartridges (3 cartridges in one) which makes it harder to refill.. The MX700 uses four individual tanks (CLI-8 PG-5) which are already well established as easily refillable.
3. Fax functionality is independent of the computer so you wouldn't need the computer turned on
4. Not really... Just check that the driver exists for Vista compatibility before you purchase
5. Can't comment on reliability but 5 years may be pushing it... You could expect to to need a replacement printhead within that time and probably a new set of cartridges (as refilling can only be done so many timers realistically). The key thing to avoid is the printhead burning out and taking the printer with it as has happened to a few of us. But that's with any canon.

Hope that helps.

 

[fish]

gaki,

I am also in Hawaii. I have a MP830 which may be much for your use but like the sheet feed scan and copy functions. Try looking for a MP850 (cheaper, but still using 5 & 8 cartridges). Trying buying locally to avoid shipping (850 was on sale last week, I think at Office Depot). Other than that, check Canon's site for a refurb printer that uses PGI-5 and CLI-8 carts - their shipping charges are reasonable.

http://estore.usa.canon.com/webapp/...051&top_category=12054&top=Y&categoryId=12054

You should try refilling yourself rather than relying on "brand X" inks. I have used Hobbicolors and have switched to Precision Colors.

Good Luck!

 

[stratman]

Refurbished Canon MP830 from Buy.com for ~$102 - http://www.buy.com/prod/canon-pixma...-printer-refurbished/q/loc/101/209996474.html.

Free shipping but NOT to Hawaii. :-(

Bought one of these last month as backup to current MP830 with $15 off for using PayPal. Short warranty but has new printhead and ink cartridges (worth about $80+ alone).

Supposedly the MP830 has Vista compatible drivers. Check out the Canon website or from an alternate like http://driverscollection.com/?H=PIXMA MP830&By=Canon. I run XP Pro so can't comment further on Vista.

 

[gaki]

Thanks much, you guys!

websnail, I am checking out the MP610 now.. I think another poster said newegg had some refurb ones for 55 bucks, but then 84$ shipping! (God of Hawaii shipping.. you are killin me, man!).
I found out I can get MP610 refills locally for 8-11$.. but she the vendor says they have to use a thing to reset a "chip" in the CLI-8X inks.. does this mean I don't have the option to refill it myself if I want to?
Im thinkin MP610 instead of 700 now, especially because.. well if its not so hard to accept and send faxes thru my computer as long as I am home, I guess thats fine. I should check if i still have my old dial up modem card first though, I guess... right?

fish, thanks much on the tips for the local sales, and the Canon site. Also, where do you buy your refill inkss? Man shopping for this kind of stuff was so much simpler on the mainland where just about anything could be had for free ship

stratman, thanks also for the tip from Buy.com.. I will check out other places where I might be able to get a deal on that.. and see what I decide on between MP830 MP610...

Thanks thanks so so soooo much all you guys!

 

[fish]

gaki,

Mikling's site (Precision Colors) is a source of Image Specialist ink.

http://home.eol.ca/~mikling/

Yes, you need to watch shipping charges. Amazon and Canon Store charges are fair. Anything other than USPS can be very expensive.

 

[websnail]

gaki,

Mikling's site (Precision Colors) is a source of Image Specialist ink.

http://home.eol.ca/~mikling/

Yes, you need to watch shipping charges. Amazon and Canon Store charges are fair. Anything other than USPS can be very expensive.

I use the Image Specialist inks myself and they are very good for the Canons so I can recommend... Mikling isn't my supplier but he's on here a fair amount so you could do worse

 

[stratman]

The following is a compilation of previous posts to help you get started refilling and preemptively answer questions you might have.


A) Refill Ink

Any of the following will give good results:

http://www.inksupply.com/ selling MIS inks(reported to be Ink Specialty inks)

http://www.precisioncolors.com selling Ink Specialty inks

http://hobbicolors.com/ selling Hobbicolors inks

http://www.alotofthings.com/viartshop/index.php selling Formulabs inks (May no longer sell the ink)

http://www.inktec.com/english/main.asp fot InkTec inks (Google "Inktec" for retailors)

Aftermarket ink from these retailors can be added to and mixed with Canon OEM ink still left in the cartridge.

Advanced User Tip - If you want the best color output then you will need to purge the Canon OEM ink out completely (see below) (or run a couple cartridges full of the aftermarket ink to wash out the Canon OEM ink), refill with one of the inks listed above, then obtain/purchase an ICC Printer Profile for your printer, ink and paper combination. You can purchase one from places like http://www.cathysprofiles.com/. Many casual hobbyists do not purchase an ICC Printer Profile and are satisfied with their color output. You'll know whether you're happy with the colors in your photos after printing out a few pictures. Much has been discussed about ICC Printer Profiles in this forum. Do a search if interested.

CAUTION: Some bulk ink retailers sell a "pigment only" black PGI-5 ink and/or a combination "pigment plus dye" black ink for the PGI-5. Make sure to get the "pigment only" PGI-5 if you want the best results, particularly for highlighting. It will cost a bit more but has the best chance of mimicking Canon OEM PGI-5 ink.

B) Refill Methods

Most people recommend using only Canon cartridges/chips for refilling as they are well made and last a long time with less risk of failure. Having a spare set is a good idea too as this helps decrease lag time in printing when you need to refill and swap in a fresh cartridge on demand (which always seems to happen in the middle of a print job you need to expedite).

There are several methods for refilling cartridges. You could vacuum refill - search for it in this forum. Several people on this forum use vacuum to refill with excellent result, though I think it is better for higher volume refilling than one cartridge at a time like most hobbyists. Then there are the two basic needle and syringe methods of refilling - a standard hole in top of cartridge method or the Durchstich/German method with hole on side towards bottom of cartridge. You can search for both methods in this forum as well.

If you prefer the standard method of refilling, then start by looking at the threads found in the "Refilling Inkjets" Forum. In fact, most all the knowledge you seek is contained within that forum. Whatever isn't will be added when the resident brainiacs, inventors and/or problem solvers figure it out.

A link to the text instruction for the Durchstich method at http://www.druckerchannel.de/artikel.php?ID=1830

A link to instructional videos on both standard and Durchstich methods of refilling plus on about purging cartridges found in post #7 at http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/viewto 45#p13145.

C) Cartridge Purging

Purging a cartridge entails running water through the cartridge to flush out old ink. It is useful if you change inks and do not want a mixture of previous brand ink with new brand ink, crud inside the cartridge, the cartridge is old and ink has dried up on the sponge which could impede ink flow, or there are streaks or missing ink when printing from poor ink flow out the cartridge for a yet unknown reason(though this could be a printhead issue).

A text version on purging cartridges using Grandad's Method is at http://www.nifty-stuff.com/canon-BCI-6-cartridges.php

Here is the equipment I put together for purging Canon CLI-8 and PGI-5 cartridges that evolved from that discussion:

Purging unit parts from Hope Depot.

1) 3/8" inner diameter clear vinyl tubing (outer diameter 1/2"), 3 feet ~$1.00 worth.

2) One Sweeper Nozzle, Model 56171 at Home Depot, $2.97 (similar to but with some plastic: http://lawn-garden.gillroys.com/Hoses_ &_Sprinklers/Hose_Nozzles/ BRASS_SWEEPER_ NOZZLE-s761223.html) . This screws onto my utility sink's threaded fawcet like a typical garden hose would.

3) One Hose Clamp 7/32" to 5/8" to secure #1 to #2.

4) 2mm hole drilled into the top of the spongeless area next to the edge of the decal (near where the ball is located) to let the purge water out.

The flexible tubing easily fit around the exit port of the cartridge. Warm water washed the sponge clean in well under one minute and I have no ink on my hands. I held onto the cartridge and directed the purge stream down the drain hole, but any ink in the sink washed completely out without staining.

D) Glue Gun Use For Sealing Purge Hole

1) Let the glue gun heat up to the proper temperature. This will cause a lot of waste glue to drip out on some guns, but the glue you do shoot will be hot enough to get he job done.

2) Don't use really old gluesticks that have "spoiled".

3) Use the right kind of gluestick, don't use wood glues for plastic cartridges for example.

4) Make sure the glued area is clean. Wipe off ink residue and peel away old glue if refilling a previously glued cartridge. It also helps to slice drill residue off the hole with a razor blade, as the plastic shreds can interfere with sealing.

5) Glues have different "open times" so allow the right amount of time for the glue to set.

6) For sealing holes on drilled cartridges, shoot a tiny glob to plug the hole, let sit for a few seconds, then shoot a secondary "sealing glob" over the plugged hole. Press the sealing glob flat with a flat heat resistant metal object. It helps to use a non-stick spray on your pressing object to prevent glue from sticking to it. I have found this method to be very effective in preventing leaks.

7) To remove the plug for later refilling, simply use a small needlenose pliers and peel off/pull out the glue.

E) Cartridge Resetters

There are a couple of different models of cartridge resetters now available, one from China and one from Germany. The Chinese offering is a relative unknown but may be perfectly fine. The one from Germany appears to have gotten the most press and reviews and therefore appears to be the one to consider at this time. The German model is offered at http://www.patronenhandel.de/index.php/ etter.html or on eBay (do a search for "Canon resetter") where multiple versions may be found.

It is another matter entirely if a resetter is necessary, especially given your financial state. People have been "eye-balling" their ink levels for years and not experienced a printhead failure from no ink while printing. It is, like most things, personal preference and money.

F) Ink Level Monitoring

Simply take the cartridge out and visual inspect for ink in the spongeless side. Until you are confident, refill your cartridges just before or just when the spongeless side is empty of ink. The sponged side will always appear to have ink left in the sponge, never turning completely white and free of ink - I have heard that up to 1 ml of ink remains in the sponge even when Canon declares it empty. Best not to tempt fate, though if you do, when a color startrs streaking or missing you will know the ink is used up (OR you have developed a problem like a clogged or burned out printhead). STOP printing and refill!

Removing the cartridges in order to refill or inspect ink levels will initiate a cleaning/priming cycle after the cartridge(s) are returned to the printer. Canon's purge much less ink than Epson's, and, with bulk ink the money loss is minimal.

To cut down on these initiated ink purgings, there is a novel way of visually inspecting ink levels WITHOUT removing the cartridges. Read about it at http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=2492.

Also, there is a clever program developed by a poster on Nifty-Stuff that keeps track of print jobs and helps alert you when ink is running low depending upon how YOU set it up. The program can be found at http://inkmon.org/.


For all these seemingly overwhelming instructions/tips, refilling a Canon ink cartridge is as simple as poking a hole in the cartridge, filling it with ink from a syringe and needle, and sealing or not sealing the hole (depending on the method used). The process takes 2-3 minutes per cartridge once you've done it a couple of times. Cost is about 10-15% of an new OEM Canon cartridge per refill.

 

[pharmacist]

Stratman,

Thanks for your elaborate contribution about refilling Canon cartridges. Great job !

 

[stratman]

Thank you. Your most welcome, Pharmacist.

I think I posted this previously but it gets buried in all the posts on this forum such that it's difficult to find. Thought I would cut to the chase and present the info since he's asking some of the questions already.

I would like to see Nifty-Stuff create some sticky posts where novices can go quickly for the relatively unchanging meat and potatoes information on refilling. Use this post as a template and modify it or make a whole new post, it would all be good for this forum.

You've had some great posts that should go into a sticky post too. Sure would be easier than searching through all 500 plus posts you currently have.