Epson Claria ink

[Malcolm_Stewart]

I've been using an Epson R220 for 3 years, and prior to that I used and still have an A3+ Epson 1270 with no visible difference between results, except that prints from the R220 are a little sharper when viewed using a hand lens. I'm well satisfied with the results, but the (inaccessible to me) print rollers on the R220 are showing signs that they've picked up coating from the papers and slippage is beginning to occur. So I'm now considering an upgrade.

Since I bought my current A4 printer, Claria inks have become established in the Epson 6 ink line-up. I'm now wondering whether to upgrade to an Epson P50, and whether the differences between Claria colours and density, and my older "Seahorse" prints will be significant.

Has anyone here compared results from Epson's older printers with the current Claria range? I assume that the 4 ink Durabrite is a cheaper range?

Thanks for any insight.

[Rupert49]

Hi Malcolm. I'm sorry to see that nobody has responded to your query, and in all honesty that's not really why I'm here now.

I am currently considering the purchase of a good quality photo printer and have been taken with the Epson R800 as a good compromise between high-end document printers and the really high-end photo printers (R2880 etc). As it's been out for over 6 years now I'm wondering if technology has moved on and overtaken it (maybe an upgrade is on the way soon?). On a recent search I came across the Epson P50 you mention - and the Claria inks - but I've not read anything about it in the photo journals. As it's considerably less expensive than the R800, do you have an opinion on the relative print quality merits between the R800 and the P50? I shall mainly want to be printing 7x5", but the occasional A4 will need to be accounted for.

Although this doesn't actually address your own original query, I would appreciate your comments.
.................................................. ....
Regards, Rupert

[Malcolm_Stewart]

Hi Rupert,

I've had my R220 for a few years now, and comparing it to the latest and similar price offerings, I feel it's made of slightly heavier gauge plastic, and significantly more robust than the P50 which I did eventually find in Staples (I think). No idea whether this bothers you, but it's perhaps worth checking out.
As for my pet annoyance - inability to access the paper rollers, and to find that a printer which is otherwise perfect is no longer able to handle all envelope stock, I get the impression that all current models are similar. This tends to make a mockery of my buying in stocks of ink!

I'm still no wiser about Claria ink except that while the cartridges are less expensive, they hold smaller quantities of ink. I've no idea whether this translates to fewer pages printed per cartridge, or roughly the same number, but it's normal for my Epson R220 printer to have its ink cartridge light flashing as one or more of the cartridges goes below the 5% or 10% level. (Can't remember which)

Not having used an R800 or R2880, I'm not qualified to discus them but I'm sure others here own one or both of them, and a PM might get a response. (The board search facility should find old posts for you.)

[Rupert49]

Cheers Malcolm - I hope you have a great year!
.................................................. ......
Rupert