Best Printer: Canon, Epson or HP? 3k Maximum Budget

[LOLZ]

This is a stark reminder that manufacturers hold the prerogative to declare products obsolete at will, even when a simple firmware update could extend their lifespan by enabling support for newer software features.

Not as bad as HP breaking cartridges with firmware upgrades or Canon with their entry level non ink-tank units being blocked from having their waste ink counters from being reset(ironic that their G(1/2/3/4)010 series gets the functionality - the whole service tool really- added to their firmware through a firmware upgrade) requiring the use of the programmer. After all it costs money to maintain software but to actively develop software to break existing functionality is outright hostile,

[oj88]

Not as bad as HP breaking cartridges with firmware upgrades or Canon with their entry level non ink-tank units being blocked from having their waste ink counters from being reset(ironic that their G(1/2/3/4)010 series gets the functionality - the whole service tool really- added to their firmware through a firmware upgrade) requiring the use of the programmer. After all it costs money to maintain software but to actively develop software to break existing functionality is outright hostile,

Oh, HP is evil in that regard.

I used to own a Canon MP258 and back then, I was paying premium for their ink cartridges (which is a printehead+cartridge combo). I could've had it converted to CISS but rumor has it that since the printheads are part of the cartridge and practically disposable, they don't last long enough to make the conversion to CISS worth it. I got rid of it then got the Epson EcoTank. Been happy ever since, apart from the firmware hiccup I had recently.

At any rate, I have all the tools necessary to keep this Epson running for the foreseeable future. I have the adjustment program to reset the waste-ink pad counter. Not to mention the abundant replacement parts available online, and not the least of which, I can now flash it back to the original L3250 firmware image in case Epson decides to introduce new features I don't want in future firmware updates.

[LOLZ]

Oh, HP is evil in that regard.

I used to own a Canon MP258 and back then, I was paying premium for their ink cartridges (which is a printehead+cartridge combo). I could've had it converted to CISS but rumor has it that since the printheads are part of the cartridge and practically disposable, they don't last long enough to make the conversion to CISS worth it. I got rid of it then got the Epson EcoTank. Been happy ever since, apart from the firmware hiccup I had recently.

They are a consumable as they do use heat to get ink onto the paper wearing the printhead over time. Not sure if the combo cartridges actual print head is built any different from the one's used in printers that use individual cartridges but the latter don't really tolerate flow issues from poor aftermarket cartridge bodies (or clogged unprepped original ones if refilling) and bad ink. A CISS conversion has the potential to introduce both to the mix and pretty much a no-no to individual cartridge models.

[oj88]

They are a consumable as they do use heat to get ink onto the paper wearing the printhead over time. Not sure if the combo cartridges actual print head is built any different from the one's used in printers that use individual cartridges but the latter don't really tolerate flow issues from poor aftermarket cartridge bodies (or clogged unprepped original ones if refilling) and bad ink. A CISS conversion has the potential to introduce both to the mix and pretty much a no-no to individual cartridge models.

I would think that the heating element burns out eventually. Another reason why the MP258 wasn't suited for CISS is because the printhead had a chip with a counter on it. Once the counter runs out, the printer throws a fit telling you that the ink is out, even though the CISS is still full.

These things add to the complexity in maintaining it... replacing the cartridge (for the heater malfunction) then redoing the CISS, or replacing/reprogramming the chips (one each for Black and CMY ink) everytime the counter reads zero.

That's likely why Epson's marketing started saying the quiet parts loud with their "Heat-Free Technology" moniker.

[LOLZ]

I would think that the heating element burns out eventually. Another reason why the MP258 wasn't suited for CISS is because the printhead had a chip with a counter on it. Once the counter runs out, the printer throws a fit telling you that the ink is out, even though the CISS is still full.

These things add to the complexity in maintaining it... replacing the cartridge (for the heater malfunction) then redoing the CISS, or replacing/reprogramming the chips (one each for Black and CMY ink) everytime the counter reads zero.

That's likely why Epson's marketing started saying the quiet parts loud with their "Heat-Free Technology" moniker.

Redoing the CISS (either to replace the heads or the seals) is probably the majority of the hassle with a conversion or when refilling. The ink monitoring can be disabled for that cartridge/set (at the expense of more aggressive cleaning cycles) if auto reset chips are not available for the cartridge body.

[oj88]

Redoing the CISS (either to replace the heads or the seals) is probably the majority of the hassle with a conversion or when refilling. The ink monitoring can be disabled for that cartridge/set (at the expense of more aggressive cleaning cycles) if auto reset chips are not available for the cartridge body.

Back then, I don't recall having or seeing that option. I just see a lot of MP258 users who were complaining about unreliable printheads, making the CISS conversion only marginally economical.

[LOLZ]

Back then, I don't recall having or seeing that option. I just see a lot of MP258 users who were complaining about unreliable printheads, making the CISS conversion only marginally economical.

To be fair it is not pointed out in the printer's documentation only in their online knowledge base. Although the person doing the conversion should be informing the owner/user about the procedure (i think you cant do it until the cartridge thinks it's empty) alongside the dos and don't with the system. If they don't then i'd be suspicious about the quality of the work done.

I'm not even sure if a CISS conversion is really more economical than refilling/aftermarket cartridges with canons given their finicky nature with the CISS system. I won't be surprised if some of the failures are from printheads being unintentionally ran dry.

[oj88]

To be fair it is not pointed out in the printer's documentation only in their online knowledge base. Although the person doing the conversion should be informing the owner/user about the procedure (i think you cant do it until the cartridge thinks it's empty) alongside the dos and don't with the system. If they don't then i'd be suspicious about the quality of the work done.

I'm not even sure if a CISS conversion is really more economical than refilling/aftermarket cartridges with canons given their finicky nature with the CISS system. I won't be surprised if some of the failures are from printheads being unintentionally ran dry.

To be fair. the CISS shop did mention that the Canons are more finicky than say, Brother. It was an issue then and it wasn't going away completely. That's why I got rid of the Canon and bought the Epson EcoTank.

Arguably, factory CISS is better than any 3rd party conversion.

[LOLZ]

To be fair. the CISS shop did mention that the Canons are more finicky than say, Brother. It was an issue then and it wasn't going away completely. That's why I got rid of the Canon and bought the Epson EcoTank.

Arguably, factory CISS is better than any 3rd party conversion.

Brother is the polar opposite of HP, probably the most friendly manufacturers when it comes to using non-genuine supplies.

[oj88]

Brother is the polar opposite of HP, probably the most friendly manufacturers when it comes to using non-genuine supplies.

That's still open for debate. Rossmann a month ago released a video about how this is changing at Brother. The printer manufacturer responded, contesting this and so Rossman sent Brother some detailed questions and have yet to get a response. The ball is currently in their court.

[oj88]

More details about Brother in his Wiki: Brother ink lockout & quality sabotage - Consumer_Action_Taskforce