Epson: R200 or C84 ?

[simonaward]

Sorry, yet another "which printer" question:

Basically, I can't decide which printer is better, the R200 or the C84.

I can get both for £87 so price doesn't matter. However I am concerned about the running costs...

To replace a set of cartridges for the R200 (with official carts) will cost:
£66.60 (5 colour carts and a black)

To replace a set of cartridges for the C84 (with official carts) will cost:
£43.63 (3 colour carts and a black)

(there is also the option to use high capacity carts in the C84 for £58.74)


Is the extra colours for the R200 gonna mean the colour lasts longer than the C84 - or is this just to improve printing?

The C84 boasts 'durabrite inks', which the R200 doesn't - but the R200 can print directly onto CD/DVD's.

From that, can I presume that the C84 is a better photo printer?

But then, if so - the C64 uses the same ink cartridges that the C84 does - so does this make it as equally as good? (I can get this for £58, £30 cheaper than the C84).


I would like I printer that I'm going to be able to keep running in the long run without having to resort to buying 'compatible' cartridges.

Athough thats a temptation - when you can re-stock your printer with compatible ink 2.5 times for the price of originals...



Sorry - bit of a 'loose' post, but any comments/suggestions gladly accepted.

[yallcome]

I don't think either of these will rival color processing you might get from a lab. I tend to use the lab for stuff I really want good prints from, and it doesn't seem to matter which one -- WalMart, CostCo, Shutterfly, Ofoto etc.

If you like the C84, take a look at the continuous feed ink system available for it at http://www.inksupply.com/index.cfm?source=html/cfs_c84_new.html and cut your costs WAY down.

I just bought the C84 strictly for Quadtone inks, listed on the same web site. Great BW output with those. I have never put color in it. When I need a quickie color, I use the Epson 820. For real prints I upload them or take them in to be printed.