questions on mp520, precisioncolors, inkrite and ink.co.uk

[zxcvbnm114]

I have just replaced my four year old 35 canon ip2000 with a 40 canon mp520. Four inks pgi-5 and cli8 x3. I am in the UK. Exploring the options on how to fuel it four options have interested me and I would welcome any thoughts on them.

Precision colors looks like the safest choice and not too expensive to get a small start on refilling. However does anyone know if they ship to the United Kingdom and how much their shipping is? I have sent an ebay message three days ago but no reply yet. So I guess its either no or they are having a really long weekend.

Hobicolors seems the second choice though I'm a little worried about them not being the same colour. Don't know if I'm ready to cope with that.

Inkrite cartridges. I ran my ip2000 on 99p pre filled inkrite cartridges figuring a brand name would make some effort. To do the same on the mp520 would mean no refilling and cost about 2 a cartridge from ccl online. I don't have much of a frame of reference to compare them with. Does anyone have any opinions on whether I have been missing out quality wise or are they reasonable ink. Tempting to be lazy but should I?

Ink.co.uk frustratingly hard to google. Seems too much cheaper to be true. But it is tempting to fill my printer up with 30p cartridges. Does anyone have any experience on whether their ink is any good? They certainly talk a good show.

Oh and when my canon cartridges are specified at 500 pages each does that mean combined they will print 2000 evenly coloured pages or that after 500 pages all four cartridges will be empty.


Lots of questions for a first post but appreciate any thoughts. Like everyone I just want to print decnt quality cheaply without breaking the print head...
Thanks

 

[panos]

Of the 4 manufacturers I would choose the one who specifies their ink supplier. That leaves everyone but precision colors out.

To your second question, yes they would print 2000 pages using the 4 colors.

 

[dougsewell]

Hi Just ordered 4 X 4oz kit of pigment black and dye C, M & Y from Precision Colours based in Canada. Cost inc P&P = 21.32 with $8.62 being postage. Sorry you need to convert the dollars. All in all a good deal and by all accounts on this forum good ink. Note Dollars are Canadian Dollars with different exchange rate to US dollars. 1 Canadian dollar = 0.5582p this am.
Good luck
Doug

 

[zxcvbnm114]

Thank-you for that. I have ordered a 10oz ink kit from precisioncolors. Can't checkout though as I still don't know their uk postage rate. However if they gave you a price no doubt the will give me one eventually too.

 

[stevec]

Hi,
I have just received a refill kit from Precision Colors 1* 4oz and 4* 2 oz (for my IP4500). Cost me 17.84 including postage. I ordered last Friday (15th) and received today so pretty good delivery. I haven't tried any yet as I still have some of the oem ink left. Postage was US$7.52. I bought 12 empty original cartridges off ebay and have yet to prepare them for filling.

 

[zxcvbnm114]

Thankyou that is reassuring to hear. Unless I am missing something I have to wait till they send me a manual estimate of my shipping to order. I am still waiting. I suppose I could just put in 8 dollars but it would be nice to know they are paying attention in canada...

 

[nche11]

Of the 4 manufacturers I would choose the one who specifies their ink supplier. That leaves everyone but precision colors out.

That also makes it the most expensive supplier too. I have had Hobbicolors ink and love the quality. They are cheaper and cost less to ship too. I am probably one individual among many who have been curious about who and where the manufacturer of Hobbicolors ink is. I tried to find out. Emailed and asked Dave @ Hobbicolors. Unfortunately they won't tell me much. I can understand the reason why they do not want to disclose such vital business information to potential competitors. Their ink is so good that I am concerned it may be discontinued if Hobbicolors somehow decides to quit. I hope it won't happen though. Does anyone know who may be most likely the manufacturer of their ink? I have used Image Specialists, Formulabs, Inktec and many compatible ink sold at Fry's. Nothing is like Hobbicolors ink. Does anyone know anything else about Hobbicolors ink?

 

[stevec]

nche11
I've just looked on ebay for Hobbicolors here in the UK. To get equivalent to what I have just received from Precision Colors would cost me UK20. I paid just short of UK18 for the IS ink from Precision Colors. Both inclusive of shipping. So that makes Hobbicolors more expensive over here. Product cost is about the same within a few cents. Hobbicolors charge more for shipping.

 

[panos]

Business transparency & constant quality level are my reasons for my preference to vendors who specify their sources. Image specialists have a lot to lose if they degrade their quality.

Hobbicolors seems to be OK but I didn't like their performance on the photo with the tree in this posting. I understand some users like the vibrance of their colors, but the word "gamut" may not be entirely precise.

Finally, considering we are already saving hundreds by refilling, I don't think the price of bulk ink is an important factor for an inkjet printer user.

This is purely my point of view, I just wanted to make it clear. They are not meant to refute anyone's arguments.

 

[Tin Ho]

One day I bought a wheel bearing for my BMW. I went to a European parts place and got one under the FAG brand name. FAG is a 50 year old German company that makes a lot of bearings for cars. FAG is one very large OE manufacturer in Germany. Well, I discovered that the bearing was made in Canada, not in Germany. The bearing will be fine but I think I paid a premium for it.