Inkjet vs Ink Tank printer for low-volume printing

PhireSide

PhireSide

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We have a Canon MX394 printer that performs just abysmally when printing lately.

Mono printing is streaky after countless head and nozzle cleaning sessions, and the colours are all washed out. Genuine cartridges are about R250 ea for colour and B&W, and they last a few dozen pages before fading again. Not worth it in the long run at all.

Would an ink tank printer be worth the investment, seeing as the general consensus is that you get far more prints with this system?

I was looking at the Epson L382 printer which is a 3-in-1 (we do need copy/scan functionality as well) as well as the HP 415, although the HP is pricier.

We print about 30 pages a month, mostly just for documents around the house, so photo quality isn't of major concern.

Any insights would be appreciated :)
 
If you print regularly, go for it as it lasts long before replacement ink is needed. Just don't let it stand for a month as the ink-head will dry up just the same as the cartridge ones. But with 30 pages per month you can't go wrong.
I have got the L365 for four years now without a problem and it is still on the original inks as I don't print a lot.
 
Thanks.

I do wonder whether the heads are easily serviceable or replaceable
 
PhireSide said:
Thanks.

I do wonder whether the heads are easily serviceable or replaceable
Click to expand...

If they dry up it can be expensive to replace, but a full colour print a weak or two apart will
ensure that they don't dry up.
Always switch the printer off on it's own switch and not by pulling the plug or switching off at the
wall outlet to ensure that the print head goes into the park position.
 
Last edited:
Stokstert said:
If they dry up it can be expensive to replace, but a full colour print a weak or two apart will
ensure that they don't dry up.
Always switch the printer off on it's own switch and not by pulling the plug or switching off at the
wall outlet to ensure that the print head goes into the park position.
Click to expand...

Thanks, that is what I am afraid of. Most (inkjet) printers have the print head built into the cartridges, so if the head dies the cartridge dies too. Ink Tank ones would work differently as above, I'd imagine.

Just don't want a printer that doesn't work enough and sit with issues down the road :)
 
I have hp6700 that I didn't use for 5 years as I was printing from the office. Since starting working from home I print around 30 pages per month and I am using non original catriges bought from take a lot. The quality is not good not sure if it is non ho cartridges or the printer is old. Also the cartridges don't last long. Please advise if I have to buy a new printer or take it for a service
 
Ha, I forgot I made this thread.

We ended up getting an Epson L4150 from Makro a month or so ago. Initially we wanted the L3150(?) but they didn't have stock and the sales guy gave us the upgraded model for the same price.

Very happy with it, 10/10 no regrets
 
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