Epson R1800

[Debz77]

I've been offered this printer for £150 and have collated a number of reviews. I've learnt that the downside is that the cartridges are expensive; the ink plugs/jets get clogged and it's not so good for monchrome. I would especially like to print mono.

I'd appreciate any other comments on users and any other recommendations for printers (and for printing mono).

Thanks.

[Norman]

It's better than many for monochrome. Not as good as the R2400 but costs significantly less. If the printer comes with a full set of new cartridges that price might be reasonable but only cost about £350 when new (I bought one in 1995). A full set of Epson cartridges for the printer will cost about £90. I changed to the R2400 because of the heads blocking but I was using a Lyson CIS with Lyson inks.

[Debz77]

Thanks. I'm not sure whether I want to be spending so much on cartridges.

Debbie

[Norman]

If I remember correctly it takes 8 cartridges at about £10 or £11 each. You can save a bit at Warehouse Express or 7 Day Shop. You could also use non Epson cartridges at significantly less cost but they may not be as consistent in colour reproduction, meaning you might need to produce your own profiles and re-profile every time you changed a cartridge. That's what I did but the Lyson inks blocked the nozzles if I didn't print regularly.

[Benchista]

I bought one in 1995

2005, surely?

[Norman]

Yes, silly me. I mis-read 05 for 95 on the receipt.

[Debz77]

Thanks for your comments guys.

Does anyone have any recommendations on printers that don't use such expensive cartiridges - or is it just you pay for what you get?

Also the whole issue around colour profiles sounds like a bit of a mine field. Does anyone have any ideas on reading - books / websites etc that would help me get my head around it?

Thaks.

[Norman]

My Photobox site (in sig) has some info and links to a few other sites with info on colour profiling.

As to which printer to buy ... Epson have a reputation for excellence but you will pay for that quality in terms of ink prices. I don't think any of the major players are significantly cheaper when it comes to ink costs. Maybe Kodak are worth a look as they are running a campaign at the moment regarding how much cheaper their printers are to run. Not sure of their reputation as to colour fidelity though.

If you're not printing that much it may pay you to have your prints made on-line. I would certainly not recommend printing your own 6X4s as places like Jessops or Boots, as well as on-line, can easily beat what it will cost you to do your own.

[Debz77]

You're right, it wouldn't be viable for me to buy a printer at the moment.

Thanks.