Archived from groups: comp.periphs.printers (
More info?)
As I just wrote recently, the number of pages a nozzle will last depends
on how many times it is triggered. The more nozzles for each color, or
the more colors total, the less any one nozzle is triggered, and the
longer it will last.
Regarding waste ink pads. In fairness, the Epson does the same thing,
once it reaches the limit. The only difference is that the older Epsons
could be reset by pushing the right sequence of buttons on the front
panel. The newer ones require some special software tools. So, in that
way, both manufacturers are playing games.
The "average" photo uses well over 15% per color, especially with a 4
ink color print. I would guess 35-55% per color. If the printer head
is really designed only to last 3000 prints at 5% each color, the number
of photos printable is much smaller.
Art
no one wrote:
> As follow up, I have decided not to reward inferior product design by
> rebuying another defective product from Canon. This printer has the highest
> cost per printed page of all the printers I have owned.
>
> With some searching, I found comments in the Usenet to the effect that the 6
> color heads are rated by Canon at 5000 prints with 5% ink coverage. At a
> more typical 15% coverage or higher that might be typical of printing photos
> that is closer to 1500 prints. The heads using fewer colors such as used in
> the IP4000 are rated for 10,000 according to that discussion but really this
> is only a matter of failure probabilites. Since a failure of any single ink
> nossle yeilds the head broken, a head with fewer nossles will have a lower
> failure rate, given the same technology.
>
> I'm convinced now that the reason the print head is removable in these
> units is so that Canon can cheaply service a unit that fails earlier than
> the projected 18 months, during the first year of waranty. A secondary
> explanation is marketing. What use is a replaceble print head when it's
> cost exceeds the price of the printer? At the price of a replacement print
> head vs the price of a new printer, few owners will benefit from this
> "servicable" design. If a print head lasts only 1000 prints, one may as
> well own a printer with the print head integral to the ink cartridge. The
> ownership cost will be lower.
>
> I got just a bit over 1000 copies from my i950, most of which were internet
> page prints with modest color usage and mosly black text. Many of these
> prints counted in the eeprom were envelopes. Less than 10% were photos.
> Sure, it did a good and quick job on photos, but really the print quality
> was indistinguishable against my Epson 1520.
>
> I've also read discussions about the waste ink counter. My printer shows
> this counter has already reached 1/3 of it's full capacity already. When
> it's full, the software will disable the printer and an error message will
> pop up advising me to take it to Canon for servicing. This is outrageous.
> It is like the automobile scams of years ago when the dash light would
> illuminate a warning lamp that only the dealership could reset. In that
> instance, the car didn't require any service, it only required dealer
> profits. It comes down to greed. The excuse that ink will run all over
> your desk are absurd. Solve the technical problem rather than plan
> obsolesence. The notion that the consumer is unable to service a blotting
> sponge in the waste ink retainer is unfounded. These counters should not
> disable the printer. All consumables should be affordably serviceable by
> the consumer.
>
> With an original cost of $250 for my i950 and two or three Canon ink sets
> run through my Canon i950, the ownership cost is nearing $500 for 1000
> sheets. This is unaccceptable. I see no reason to reward the manufacturer
> of defective products by replacing it with more of the their products that
> use the same technology.
>
> Really, it is time for the trial lawyers to jump into this game. With ink
> cartridges "chipped" to prevent consumer refilling, usage counters that
> disable the device and print heads that won't last three reams of paper,
> this is all corporate misconduct.
>
>
>
> no one wrote:
>
>
>>I've lost one color and also lost segments for other colors. A new
>>print head costs $80 or so. I've read that these Canon print heads
>>don't last long. Is this printer worth this expense or is there a newer
>>printer that gives better results? If so, which one?
>>
>>I've never used refill or off brand ink. The cartridge is no different
>>after cleaning cycles, cleaning with alcohol or cleaning with ammonia.
>>It seems to have circuitry in the head that is dead.
>
>