KCDoug
Getting Fingers Dirty
I decided to start a new thread rather than tack this onto my other one related to attempts to resuscitate my printhead. Interestingly or coincidentally, my printhead clog (photo cyan) and faint streaking from photo magenta were the two that I'd installed hobbicolors ink & cart this past summer.
I'm trying to make a quick decision about whether or not to replace the printhead ($80-90 w/shipping) or the whole printer - I might be able to pick up a comparable, soon to be discontinued, PIXMA 6000D that uses the same ink and carts for under $95 w/shipping, same resolution but slower printing with fewer nozzles - and thought I'd seek opinions from the wisdom pool here.
>> I do not print a high volume of pictures, and could be categorized as an infrequent user perhaps printing every other month or so. I estimate that I print 200-250 pics a year, mostly 4x6, and mostly on high quality stock.
The approx. 2.5-year-old i960 has generally printed beautifully for me, but I am disappointed that the printhead has gone belly-up. My expectation is to get 5+ years out of a quality printer. The price to replace the printhead seems high relative to the overall cost of a new printer.
Points of consideration that I'd welcome opinions and facts on:
1. (a) Given my relative infrequent use of the printer, is there another ink jet printer of comparable or better print quality to the i960 that has a more reliable and/or less expensive head replacement cost?
(b) How about cost of ink -- all oem ink is pretty pricey up front. Are there comparable (to i960) quality aftermarket refill resources (ink/carts)?
2. I don't mind performing simple routine/preventive maintenance, but I don't have the time to turn this into a full time hobby, so this is also a factor.
3. Based on cost and relative reliability & quality, would you recommend just replacing the printhead instead of replacing the printer? (I'm also wondering if I can find some good after Christmas sales that would factor in.)
Thanks much,
-Doug
I'm trying to make a quick decision about whether or not to replace the printhead ($80-90 w/shipping) or the whole printer - I might be able to pick up a comparable, soon to be discontinued, PIXMA 6000D that uses the same ink and carts for under $95 w/shipping, same resolution but slower printing with fewer nozzles - and thought I'd seek opinions from the wisdom pool here.
>> I do not print a high volume of pictures, and could be categorized as an infrequent user perhaps printing every other month or so. I estimate that I print 200-250 pics a year, mostly 4x6, and mostly on high quality stock.
The approx. 2.5-year-old i960 has generally printed beautifully for me, but I am disappointed that the printhead has gone belly-up. My expectation is to get 5+ years out of a quality printer. The price to replace the printhead seems high relative to the overall cost of a new printer.
Points of consideration that I'd welcome opinions and facts on:
1. (a) Given my relative infrequent use of the printer, is there another ink jet printer of comparable or better print quality to the i960 that has a more reliable and/or less expensive head replacement cost?
(b) How about cost of ink -- all oem ink is pretty pricey up front. Are there comparable (to i960) quality aftermarket refill resources (ink/carts)?
2. I don't mind performing simple routine/preventive maintenance, but I don't have the time to turn this into a full time hobby, so this is also a factor.
3. Based on cost and relative reliability & quality, would you recommend just replacing the printhead instead of replacing the printer? (I'm also wondering if I can find some good after Christmas sales that would factor in.)
Thanks much,
-Doug