Posts by rustysurfer79

nimbleowl4 said:I was wondering if it’s actually worth getting a new print head for my current printer. Short answer: NO.
And I also wondered how much it costs to just buy a brand new printer instead. The answer is roughly $167.

Thanks!

Spot on. Just watch out, because there's a catch you might not see coming.

So, you've got a brand new, unopened HP Envy 5000 == roughly $167

You can grab some compatible ink cartridges for it for about $45 - $17

But you've also got the original HP All-in-One set, meaning all four cartridges == around $200+.

When you factor in the cost of the paper, the price difference between original and knock-offs disappears. So what are you going to buy?

Originals, obviously.

The guy who imported those cheap cartridges just messed up his own plan. Once they hit their expiration date, they end up in a clearance bin while your printer ends up in the trash. And let's be real, any smart retailer won't even bother playing that game until the cost of those knock-off cartridges drops low enough to be significantly cheaper than the originals. And by then? There won't be an HP Envy 5000 left in the store. We're right back where we started.

Just for comparison: if you go to Best Buy and grab an HP OfficeJet Pro bundle with refillable tanks plus 4x 100ml bottles of ink... for the same amount of money, you get the printer, the scanner, and 88 XL capacity cartridges. Keep in mind, the HP Envy 5000 can't even use XL cartridges—you'd need a more expensive model that runs around $200. Plus, those XL cartridges are 50% pricier than standard ones, and you can't find cheap replacements for them.

Basically, for $167, you're getting 176 standard cartridges. Sure, it's not "brand new in box."

Just putting that out there for comparison. Helps to know what you're actually getting when you think you're saving money on a newer model.

nimbleowl4 said:My bad, I phrased that poorly... I didn't mean that specific model, just that *kind* of machine—you know, an all-in-one printer-scanner-copier combo that uses cheap ink.

So, if I get this right, I can just swap out the print head on my current one and it should work fine again?

Pretty much, except Epson isn't actually going to sell you a replacement head.

Why?

Because they don't make any money off you using third-party ink. They'd much rather you just go out and buy a whole new printer so they can charge you double for cartridges that hold half as much ink.

I mean, they might technically sell it to you, but once you realize a new head costs more than a brand-new, boxed printer with the exact same setup, you're gonna pass.

Could you just scavenge a head from a brand-new, unopened printer?

No clue. Haven't tried it.

It probably wouldn't even work because the old firmware might not recognize the serial number on a newer print head. It’s more likely you'll just end up with a paperweight.

Look, when you do the math and see that for $167 + tax you can get a whole printer-scanner-copier with a continuous ink system and enough ink for 80 refills, the "investment" in a replacement printer or a perfect print head is basically $33. There's zero sense in buying a new head at a repair shop. And honestly, that's why no Epson service center keeps them in stock. They can order one, sure, but the price tag will be ridiculous.
Make sense?

nimbleowl4 said:Right now I’ve got an Epson SX100—it's my all-in-one printer, scanner, and copier—and honestly, this kind of setup is plenty for me. I also love that it uses individual ink tanks because they're so cheap. Can you still find new ones like this, and what's the damage on the price?

You won't find a brand new one exactly like that anymore. But there are models with the exact same print head. Basically, you get the same print quality and speed. The only real difference is the casing and the fact that the cartridges hold about 50% less ink.

Just a heads up, the SX 100 uses the same print head as the SX 115, SX 128, and SX 130. Also the DX 3800 SX 4000 DX 4250 SX 4450. Though, if you ask me, those first three aren't the best picks.

When it comes to durability or how much ink you can pack in, the SX 115 is a total workhorse.

Any of the ones I mentioned above can be grabbed as a bundle with continuous ink tanks and enough ink for 80 - 100 refills for $167 + tax, or you can go with a CISS version for $267

nimbleowl4 said:A few months back I was at a store picking up some ink for my printer. I asked the guy about newer models—can't remember the exact question. Anyway, the clerk told me it’s not even worth getting an Ink Jet anymore. He said everyone is switching to these new laser printers where you pay a bit more upfront, but the toner ends up being way cheaper. Is that actually true, or is he just trying to hustle me? ,

I've got an Epson printer-scanner-copier combo where the black ink has basically turned into concrete. Now everything I try to print comes out in gray because I have to mix all the colors just to get something close to black (mostly just AutoCAD drawings for school)...
I'm wondering if it makes sense to just grab a cheap printer since it does what I need, or if that salesperson actually had a point?
What kind of budget am I looking at for a new printer that can actually run on third-party ink?

Same question, same answer.

Basically, I just ask myself: which printer manufacturer actually benefits from making new machines if you're just going to buy off-brand ink or toner for them? It's like if you were a teacher grading exams and selling the textbooks too. Would you do the hard work of teaching the kids just so someone else could pocket the cash from the exam fees and fake diplomas? Doesn't make much sense, right?

So, you've gotta tell that shopkeeper to sell you a printer specifically for which they actually stock compatible ink or toner. If they don't have it, find a shop that does.

Just watch out—manufacturers aren't stupid. They won't sell you a perfect machine if they know you're just gonna go hunt for cheap replacements on eBay. Or vice versa.

Bottom line: you need the whole package. Printer + compatible cartridges + ink for those cartridges + a resetter for the chips, or just go with a CISS system. That's usually the sweet spot for both you and the shop owner.

slycobra51 said:rustysurfer79,

There’s no need to lie to people. I ordered from you guys, and the whole shipment took a full week. It didn't even show up at my front door, and it cost me $22
.
Don't be so arrogant and use such rude language. People are just asking simple questions—try actually answering them properly.

Honestly, those kinds of complaints should be aimed at FedEx first. When they deliver something out to a small town in rural Wyoming, they basically drop it off in a tiny village nearby and then the local mail carrier has to haul everything together on a bike to get it to the destination. Plus, the package ends up crossing through a different state twice. And hey, if a storm hits the Sierra Nevada, anything can happen. Especially when you're dealing with COD payments.

That's why in cases like this, it's smarter to just pay via invoice upfront and send stuff through the USPS. At the end of the day, in those remote spots, it's the regular mailman who gets the job done, not FedEx. And honestly, other couriers aren't much better. Some island deliveries only happen once a week.

wiredbison182 said:My Epson SX 405 keeps printing double letters where one is lighter than the other, and the quality just keeps tanking with every page... Is it the color, fading, or something else entirely?!!??

Photos look fine, though.

Try bumping up the resolution.

mellowdriver86 said:You’re skipping half the conversation again! Explain what LC and LM actually mean and what an invoice even is???
What kiosk?! I usually get my ink at Links, but they’re out of stock! Luckily, I found another spot that has them and they're actually cheaper!
And about the new printer—it’s perfect because it’s an all-in-one with a scanner, fax, and copier, which is exactly what I need. I don't care about any other excuses. I was just asking a simple question like the guy at the start, but you sound like you're just plugging your own site to get sales!

I'm with you on this.

The holidays are coming up and nobody in their right mind would retire an old R265. Even if it's old, it still gets you from the Midwest down to the coast without breaking the bank. This new one is basically just something nice to look at while sitting in the garage.

Plus, you can always grab some Colibri refillable cartridges for it later. You can't do that with this one. Sold out.

The only difference is that on the trip to the coast, you can't go faster than 55 mph and you have to stop at a gas station every 19 miles. It's great though, gives you plenty of chances to grab a coffee, hit the restroom, or pick up a magazine.

Meanwhile, the R265 cruises at 70 mph in 6th gear and you only need to refuel every 100 81 miles.

mellowdriver86 said:No way am I paying $17 shipping. It’s just too much!
Forget about invoices—I don't own a business and honestly have no clue what an invoice even is. I just need some basic ink so I can print stuff for myself at home!

Look, there isn't much I can do for you here.

If everyone thinks like this, it’s no wonder our economy is totally flatlining.

Just go ahead and buy the genuine Epson LC and LM inks. For maybe twice $33 the price, you get two 10ml bottles. Problem solved.

The way you're doing it, you'll end up paying $13 for just two 10ml refills. You could practically buy a whole new printer for $200. You'll burn through those original inks before you know it. Seriously, after five cleanings and twenty pages of text, you're already looking for more. Then, twelve months later when the digital warranty expires and you realize how much this Epson actually cost you, it’s going straight to the landfill. You'll be sitting there crying about your old R265, wishing it was still around. Too bad they don't sell LC and LM cartridges at the local CVS for $5.75 anymore.

But hey, whatever. Your head, your money.

Harold Palmer77 said:rustysurfer79 has that print shop shipping thing going on now. Until the end of the year, it's $3.25/package regardless of the size. I'm pretty sure this stuff will fit in any of those packages 👍

True, but doing COD with a check or bank transfer only works through FedEx, and man, they charge a premium—around 40 $17 for door-to-door delivery.

So basically, you pay via invoice,
email over the receipt,
then send the info to the nearest print shop.
Then just sit around for 2 or 3 days.

That’s almost an entire work week right there.

With FedEx, though, you've got it by tomorrow.

mellowdriver86 said:Honestly, who even needs an ID card slot anymore? I don't even touch the CD tray; you can barely find printable CDs in stores these days. And about the price—can you please just give me the total instead of adding tax later? Just tell me the final number plus whatever the shipping costs.

Shipping usually runs around $30—$17 depending on how you pay.

That said, if you’ve got a bunch of empty LC or LM cartridges lying around, your best bet is probably just taking them to a local shop to get them refilled.

But if you tossed them out already... well, that's on you.

mellowdriver86 said:So what’s the actual cost for the refill kit and the ink itself? I checked out your site, but I can't find any prices for what I actually need. Half the links are broken. No, for the Chicago model, it ended up being 6 times $5.75.
Seriously, how much would it cost me for those refill cartridges, the ink, and shipping? Please don't say "+ tax"—I want the final bottom line. I'm trying to see if this even makes sense for me, though I'm not a huge fan of ordering stuff online. I'd much rather just walk into a store and see what I'm buying with my own eyes.

It means $60 per cartridge, so you're looking at $147 total after tax. That's basically the equivalent of getting 180 cartridges for an HP OfficeJet 2520. Basically, one single replacement cartridge with that same capacity costs you exactly $1.00 including tax. It's a 1-to-10 ratio.

On the flip side, with the Chicago model, you get the CD tray, and you can also pick up a tray for ID cards.
http://adriatix.com/A_PROIZVODI/ID%20...0ID%20Card.htm

Honestly, if anyone's listening to this, they might realize it's smarter to just trade in that Chicago printer for a brand new, shrink-wrapped HP OfficeJet 2520 instead. Assuming your Chicago model is still running 100% perfectly, of course.

mellowdriver86 said:I can't stick with the R265 because you just can't find the 805 or 806 colors anymore, or they won't be available—at least not here in Indianapolis. Plus, I'm tired of paying shipping on $10 just for one single color, and honestly, I'm worried about whether the places I found online will even keep them in stock.
Look, I don't care about nozzles or any of that technical stuff I don't understand. I just want a printer that does what I need, preferably with a scanner, stays cheap, and uses affordable third-party ink.

Seriously, you've got the Colibri refillable cartridges that you don't just throw away. You refill them yourself.

And again, if you aren't catching my drift: the whole game is set up so that some sucker who fell for the R265 deal $5.75 ends up crying because they're paying 3* $10 for the exact same amount of prints.

Get it now?

mellowdriver86 said:I was looking for a new printer and stumbled upon this one. Here’s my dilemma. I’ve been using Epson printers for years and I love them. My current one is an R265 and it’s been a workhorse for me; I usually just grab replacement ink at $5.75. But now I've run into a snag—two of the six colors aren't working anymore. I've still got four left, but if even one cartridge runs dry, the whole thing stops printing. While browsing online, I found this Epson Workforce WF-2520NF, and the best part is how easy it is to find replacements. They're available in Indianapolis at $10. With some of those cheaper budget multipack printers from Canon or HP that I looked at, you can't even find replacement colors, and since I print constantly, I go through a ton of ink.

Stick with your R265

Why?

Because the R265 has 90 nozzles per color.

As for that 2529 model, I don't know off the top of my head. But I'm guessing it's something like 180 + 3 * 59.

Plus, the cartridge capacity on the R265 is 10 ml, whereas on that other one, it’s probably only 3.1 - 5.4 ml. So basically, 1 ml equals... what?

On the other hand, if you install continuous ink tanks on the R265, you won't have any more trouble sourcing LC and LM colors. And 1ml would be about 220/$200

Bryan Edwards75 said:...thanks for getting back to me...so which Canon printer are you actually using? The one you mentioned with the cheap ink?

Right now, I've got the Canon MP 495 + CISS undergoing a durability test.

Before this, I was running an Epson SX 525 with those refillable cartridges.

Which one wins?

The SX 525 is faster and just feels better overall, but the MP 495 works perfectly fine too. Plus, unlike the Epson, you don't have to deal with resetting the CISS. You just can't push the machine too hard, that's about it.

So basically, it's $333 vs $233 for the same amount of prints.

Bryan Edwards75 said:...I need a solid printer that won't break the bank. Ideally something where the refill ink is cheap if I go the ink route... I found three options here, so if anyone could weigh in with some advice or experience, I'd appreciate it... Color isn't a huge deal—black alone is fine if that works—but I'm mostly worried about quality. I don't want it to die on me after two or six months...

http://www.bestbuy.com/printer-example-canon-lbp6020b

http://www.walmart.com/product-example-canon-mg5350

http://www.staples.com/product-example-epson-wf2520nf

My golden rule is pretty simple: the more basic the machine, the less stuff there is to actually break. If a device looks like a Christmas tree with all those extra bells and whistles, expect it to have a pretty short lifespan.

Lately, I've been messing around with desktop ink using super cheap refills for cartridges like the HP 301 and Canon PG 520 CL 521. Honestly, the results are great, especially when you run a Canon with a CISS setup. The only real downside is that the original cartridges hold almost nothing. But hey, that ink is dirt cheap.
Only $8.25
for 50 ml.
Check out these results:

An HP 301 print using black
http://example-site.com/HP-301_6_LL.jpg
and one without HP 301 black
http://example-site.com/HP-301_5_LL.jpg

Basically, this HP can run on just color, just black, or both. There are no chip locks to stop you. Just keep in mind you won't get any ink level indicators.

Again, the main catch is that the cartridge capacity is tiny. But for maybe $300, $133 you get a brand-new printer plus ten times more ink than any other setup out there. If that sounds good to you, go for it.

On the other hand, if you look at replacements for current printers, even a tiny 5 ml cartridge will set you back at least $13. That's the bare minimum.

Samuel Anderson34 said:Anyway, instead of starting a whole new thread, I'll just drop this here.

Right now I’m stuck with a Canon Pixma iP1600. The thing that drives me crazy is how it constantly makes all this noise—just spinning and whirring—before it actually starts printing. It takes forever to get going. I want to pick up something that isn't crazy expensive, starts printing almost instantly without all that useless prep work, and ideally has cheap ink or toner replacements.

I don't know if you guys get what I mean by "spinning and whirring" or whatever. If not, I can grab my phone and film it for you.

It's really not that deep, honestly.

What you actually need is a laser printer that isn't GDI.

Here's the catch.

An InkJet is basically a line printer. It prints line by line. So, before it can even start, it has to go through its little routine—cleaning nozzles, warming up the print head, etc. It can't skip that.

But lasers aren't much better if they're GDI printers. Instead of waiting for heads to clean or positions to shift, you're stuck waiting for your computer to render the entire page as pixels before sending it over to the printer. Sometimes that feels like an eternity. With an inkjet, it can kind of multitask—it starts printing while the rest of the page is still being processed.

However, if the laser *isn't* GDI, your PC just sends the text codes you want to print, and the printer handles the interpretation itself.

Now, when you look at the cheap new lasers out there, you'll notice they're all Win or GDI based. PCs that communicate via code are easily 100% more expensive.

If you're looking for cheap toner and instant printing, your best bet is a refurbished PCL printer. Because of that PCL interpreter, those used machines cost about 100% more than the cheapest modern lasers. But because of that same reason, you get way more toner capacity for the same amount of money.

So, you've gotta decide. Do you want to spend $800—$333 plus tax—on a refurbished model that can handle 6,000 to 14,000 pages, or do you want to spend maybe $1,500 to $2,000 on a brand new one that comes with some pathetic starter toner that only lasts for about 1,500 pages?

There's no other way. You can't have your cake and eat it too.

neontrucker23 said:there's still ink stuck inside it too

Honestly, just grab a new cartridge. Or even better, get one specifically made for refilling along with a bottle of ink. It's way easier.

Like in this situation here

Steven Perez13 said:While I'm at it, let me ask about this HP:

So, basically you get the $100 printer and 8 oz of each ink color, plus a brand new print head included?

It looks like you can't even buy the ink separately later on—it's just sold as part of a new bundle with the printer.

Specifically, I'm wondering how many pages I can actually get out of those 750ml of ink, and if there's any kind of warranty on the printer itself.

Standard math says 40 ml at 5% coverage gives you about 800 pages. But since black is mixed with colors here, you're looking at roughly 50% less—so maybe 400 pages per 40 ml. If you're running mixed modes, that total amount of ink should cover roughly 8000 pages.

The print head isn't covered by a warranty because it's considered a consumable. You'll just get a new one bundled with the ink for $67 + tax. You could also grab an HP 27 kit with black ink, like the Orink HP 27 + 2* 100 Desktop Black Ink combo. Why go that route? Because with the HP 27, you can refill the head whenever you need using the CMY ink too. It keeps things efficient. You just have to decide which black quality works best for you. To be honest, using 100% original black ink tends to wear out the HP 27 head pretty fast. This CMY combo helps flush out any buildup. Basically, you get 100% utility.

As for the printer, you get the standard 90-day warranty. Honestly, though, these machines are so simple that they rarely break before hitting 5000 prints. The only thing that usually happens is the carriage belt slips if you get a paper jam—usually because someone tried to feed old, wrinkled paper through it. That’s really just user error, and a quick service fix takes maybe half an hour.

Regarding that Canon stuff, you really have to check if the refill ink is compatible with the cartridge sponge. "Premium" on a label doesn't mean much if someone imported some cheap knockoff meant for Epson and is trying to pass it off as universal for Canon and HP. Even if it says it's for Epson, it might not work; different aftermarket cartridges have different structures or sponges. You could end up with "Premium" ink that isn't right for the job leaking out of the cartridge overnight. Or worse, you get circulation issues where air gets sucked into the nozzles instead of the pressure equalizing with new ink.

Also, don't assume those aftermarket Canon cartridges can be refilled forever. Everything depends on the specific ink formula and the sponge design.

That's why it's crucial that this Desktop ink is specifically tuned for those heads. At this price point, it performs reliably and keeps the head cool. I have no clue exactly how long it'll last, but according to the service manuals, Canon inkjet heads are rated for about 5000 to 6000 prints when using original ink.

Steven Perez13 said:The ink is $36 printer $100 ink 8 oz = 250 in the cheapest version, or $54 OCP's Premium 250ml too. I have no idea how you got $83 for 250ml.

The refillable cartridges are 27-$9.75, they're auto-resetting, so there's zero need for a chip resetter. Why on earth would you think the print head would die that fast? This is a home printer, nobody's printing 500 pages a day on this thing.

Plus, it's an MFP and a pretty solid photo printer for home use—it's got a card reader, Wi-Fi, an LCD screen, cloud print, scanner, copier, duplex printing, prints on CDs/DVDs, and more.

Look, the one you suggested has a cheaper cost per page, but I really don't need that much volume. With the setup I've put together, I'm looking at less than a penny per black and white page, which, let's be honest, is peanuts.

Are you even sure those cartridges are auto-resetting? Maybe they're just full All The time. Sometimes people call them "auto-resetting" just to mimic Epson's style when they're actually just standard resets.

It’s like having a gauge that stays at zero. Except instead of zero, it just shows a one on the display.

Essentially, you won't actually know how much ink is left in the cartridge. And since you won't know, you'll just keep pushing until the machine stops. If you run it dry three or four times like that, you're going to kill the print head.

Got it?

Steven Perez13 said:I'm also on the hunt for a solid printer that won't break the bank on ink, so I've been doing a bit of digging lately.

I'm thinking about picking up an HP Envy 5000. It looks like it's going to cost around... $217.

Check out this link for more info on the Canon MG5350: http://www.canon.com/For_Home/Product...350/index.aspx

I'm thinking about picking up some refillable cartridges for it. I usually just grab the ink in 3.4 oz bottles—they have bigger ones too, but I haven't really looked since I don't print enough to need that much. Usually, they go for around $50...$27 It really depends on which ink you go with. You’ve got those generic universal ones for Canon, or then there’s that German OCP stuff that people claim is just as good as the official Canon ink—though honestly, I haven't tried it myself, so who knows if that's actually true. Either way, you're looking at around $150...$167 If you grab five cartridges and 100ml of each color—five different inks total—do the math on whether that’s actually worth it.

You can find replacement cartridges for that thing pretty easily. $8.25 Those four colors you've got are only 9ml each, and that big black tank for printing documents is 19ml. You're using the genuine stuff. $30 Those 9ml ones and... $33 The 19ml one.

So, look at it this way: getting 100ml of ink is basically the same as grabbing eleven of those little 9ml cartridges, or maybe five of the 19ml black ones. Just do the math and see for yourself...

If you're planning on doing the refills yourself, you've got everything you need right here: I checked out that link to see what they had in stock, but honestly, it’s just a massive list of stuff. It looks like they have everything from basic supplies to specific parts, but you really have to dig through the page to find what you actually need. Just a heads up if you're looking for something specific—don't expect it to be laid out on a silver platter.

By the way, Epson actually has those CISS printers now where you just pour the ink straight in from 70ml bottles for maybe $6 or so. If you're interested, you should definitely check them out: I can't believe I actually fell for this. I was just browsing through some forums when I saw this thread, and honestly, it’s kind of a reality check. It turns out that trying to save a few bucks on cheap ink can end up costing you way more in the long run—not to mention the headache of dealing with a printer that decides to stop working right when you need it most. It’s one of those "lesson learned" moments. You think you're being smart by grabbing whatever's cheapest at Walmart, but then you're stuck staring at a clogged print head or a "low ink" error that won't go away even after you've refilled it. Definitely worth thinking twice before choosing the budget option over something reliable like an Epson or Canon. Trust me, your future self will thank you for just buying the good stuff.

I had an Epson once and honestly, never again. Those piezoelectric print heads are just way too sensitive—I used some third-party ink and the thing clogged up on me almost immediately. Plus, it went through ink like crazy, which just wasn't my style. It was just one of those cheap budget models I picked up at Walmart (the SX125). If you’re planning on sticking strictly to original ink, it probably won't be an issue, but still.
Those printers with the CISS system are just... man, they're something else. $367 Moving on then.

So, to wrap things up...

Printer $217
printer $100 ink 8 oz = $83
Long-lasting cartridges??
Does anyone know anything about resetters?

When your brain just quits on you.
You even read about printers?
Do you also use refillable cartridges?
Throwing away ink.
Because a new print head costs a fortune. $167
And here we go.

Printer
plus 24 oz of ink
No need for a reset.
You don't even need those permanent cartridges.
== $100 plus sales tax
I honestly can't believe I'm still dealing with this mess. It feels like every time I think I've finally got my setup sorted, something else breaks or runs out. Dealing with printers is just a constant cycle of frustration, isn't it? One minute you're ready to print a project, and the next, you're staring at an error message or realizing you're out of ink again. It’s pretty exhausting. You spend all this money on the hardware, thinking you're set, only to be nickel-and-dimed by ink refills every other week. I'm trying to stay patient, but man, it wears you down. Just one of those things where you hope for a smooth experience and instead get a headache.
When your head starts spinning around here, you can just pick up a new one for like $70. $33Your printer basically gives up the ghost after about 10 to 15k prints.

Look, you can take a hammer to your own head if you have to, but maybe it’ll finally click which choice actually makes sense: buying new or going refurbished.

Check out this print quality. Seriously, tell me what else you could want for that kind of money.