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Re: Epson or HP for alt-phot ... ? (some OT)

At 07:57 AM 3/20/00 -0500, Jeffrey Matthias wrote:
>
>For the best resolution, I think it is a good idea to have new printing
>heads with each ink cartridge.  There is a choice of cartridge size, and
>the smaller volume cartridges assure a fresher head (but at a higher
>cost.)
>

On the other hand, the print head in a cartridge that you purchase for $30 and
costs perhaps $3-5 to manufacture is probably built to a much lower standard of
tolerances than one which must last through the entire warranty period,
especially when you factor in the more self-destructive nature of heat driven
(HP) technology as compared to piezoelectric technology (Epson).


Bill Collins wrote:

>The Epsons seem to have a habit of developing clogged printheads
> if left unused for a month or two. (no, I'm not the only one that this has
> happened to) 

This is a common belief which may or may not have basis in fact, at this point
in time.  I'm not disputing your experience, but there is more to it on the
larger scale.  The 800/600/400 generation of Epsons apparently did have a
somewhat high rate of (apparently) clogged heads, as was reflected on various
Usenet newsgroups.  Later models do not, I believe, have the same frequency of
this problem.  Having no life some time ago, I did a quick survey on DejaNews
of posts mentioning Epson clogged heads, and found that the number of people
who wrote about personal experience with clogging heads was vastly lower than
the total number of people claiming that Epsons suffered clogged heads.  I also
found that although most posts claimed that (all) Epsons had the problem, the
posts with personal experience were, again vastly, weighted toward the
800/600/400 generation of printers.  I believe that this was a phenomenon which
had truth in a limited context, but which grew into a generalized urban myth
about the whole brand.

The second problem with this "myth" is that LOTS of people turn there printers
on and off with a surge protector.  When they do this, the print heads are not
returned to their parked position in which they rest on a fibrous pad intended
to prevent the ink drying at the opening...

By the way, even an Epson clog which is resistant to cleaning cycles can very
often be fixed by placing a few drops of Windex onto that fibrous pad where the
heads are parked and leaving it overnight.

Mitch Valburg 


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