Innovative approach to non-OEM CLI-221/PGI-200 Canon carts !

[azuchrome]

Refer to eBay listing at http://cgi.ebay.com/10P-PGI-220-CLI-221-Printer-Ink-Cartridge-Set-Canon-/380172175393?cmd=ViewItem&pt=BI_Toner&hash=item5884070821.

This eBay seller - bigdrop423, with store name BuyInkNow123 - appears to be selling an innovative mechanism for non-OEM replacements for the new Canon CLI-221 and PGI-220 carts. He's selling a re-usable ARC chip tank frame along with swappable replacement ink tanks. To repalce an empty cart, you pop out the old tank from the chip frame, pop a new full tank into the chip frame, then re-install the frame/tank combo.

I've sent the seller a few technical questions - who makes his ink, country of origin, can his ARC chips co-reside in the printer with Canon OEM carts, etc.; I'll post his reponses if anyone shows some interest. The system looks interesting, and the prices are quite reasonable. Obviously, it's hard to judge quality from photos, although the images the seller has posted are large and nicely detailed. The idea of refilling these tanks without risking damage to the chips is especially appealing.

Does anyone have any experience with this system for these or other Canon carts ? Any experienaces with this eBay seller ? Thanks much !

 

[jonalava]

From the pictures on the ebay listing, I am pretty sure these carts are made by Skyhorse.

I've been using this brand on my previous Epson printer (R220) with great results. Sure, you won't get as accurate colors as when refilling OEM with Image Specialists ink, but still way better than G&G and similar. No green cast and no flow problems!

However, you can't be sure that my experience is applicable to Canon carts.

 

[d1hamby]

I've been using these for a few months and haven't had any problems.

 

[pharmacist]

There is nothing special about this concept. KMP introduced this system (maybe another manufacturer too) a few years ago for the CLI-8/PGI-5 cartridges, albeit only with the original chip, because then there was no resetter at the time.

 

[nche11]

I really don't believe in any compatible ink cartridges. I have not seen any that has a quality that you can depend on in providing reliable service. I once cut open a few of CLI-8 compatible cartridges bought as a set at a same time from an ebay seller. I could see the size of the sponges were clearly not uniform in their dimensions. Some were larger and some were smaller. If there is no quality control over the size of the sponge how will there be any consistency in quality? I have some that are not used yet. I can see the sponges not uniform without cutting open the cartridges. I was told that those cartridges were from G&G, which is one of the largest Chinese manufacturers of compatible cartridges.

 

[tigerwan]

There are good quality compatibles out there, like everything else you have to watch who you buy from, try and get compatibles that use Image Specialist inks or OCP etc. High quality inks, it's the ones that use the cheep inks that give compatibles the bad rep.

 

[leo8088]

It's beyond me when you can refill OEM carts for free people still want to buy compatibles. You probably can find good quality compatibles but you will have to take a risk to use them first. You will be lucky if they don't damage your print head. But if your print head gets hit it is almost always too late and you will come to this forum asking for help. Do a side by side comparison between an OEM cartridge and any compatible one. I have not seen a single compatible that did not look crappy in comparison with an OEM.

I got quite a few free used Epson AIO and simple printers from people who used compatibles then tossed them to me. The Epsons can be revived with simple cleaning procedure and a set of new OEM carts. When people sent me Canon printers I would check if compatibles were in the printers. I sent them to eWatse Recycling if compatibles were found in them.