Which 13" printer?

[AccidentalArt]

I've done a lot of searching before posing the question "what's the best printer going for ~$500US?".

Also, what is the preference for ink? Dye or what?

I'm a newbie to printing as most my stuff is sent off. I do however think i will have more hanger is i have a printer.

Thanks in advance for any guidance.

Robert

[AccidentalArt]

anyone? anyone?

[BillyR]

According to various reviews, both pro and user, the Epson R1900 would probably be your best choice. This printer uses pigment inks, which are generally considered to be superior to dye in most respects. The price is a little more than your target, but "There is scarcely anything in the world that some man cannot make a little worse, and sell a little more cheaply. The person who buys on price alone is this man's lawful prey."

There was a $100 rebate on the Epson site that was supposed to be good until April 30, but they took it down. Probably because too many people were taking advantage of it. I was tempted buy one with the rebate myself, but after much consideration decided upon an Epson 3800, although I have zero need for a 17" printer, so that I wouldn't have to change cartridges so often. You can probably get a slightly better price at Newegg.

[AccidentalArt]

Thanks BillyR. I appreciate your input. Being in sales, I'd like to use that quote too ;)

[Jon Smith]

There have been a few r1800's surfacing lately for ~150-250. Great price for a great printer IMO.

[BillyR]

There have been a few r1800's surfacing lately for ~150-250. Great price for a great printer IMO. If you can get a new or refurbished R1800 for that price I'd go for it. I've been using an R1800 for the last year-and-a half, and in several respects, such as gloss and CD printing capability, I like it better than my new 3800. However, as I expect everyone on this forum knows, the initial cost of the printer is minor compared to the ink costs and the hassle of constantly replacing cartridges. If I could get an equivalent to the R1800/1900 with 50 ml cartridges that would be the ideal solution for me, but so far as I know that option doesn't exist.

[TheHoff]

Curious, why would one choose the Epson 1900 over say the Canon 9500? I've seen a few reviews in magazines but no direct comparisons.

[BillyR]

Curious, why would one choose the Epson 1900 over say the Canon 9500? I've seen a few reviews in magazines but no direct comparisons. I just took a quick look at this review (http://www.photo-i.co.uk/Reviews/interactive/Canon%20Pro%209500/page_1.html), and although this reviewer doesn't directly compare the two printers, the Canon scores a little bit lower than his R1900 Review (http://photo-i.co.uk/Reviews/interactive/Epson%20R1900/page1.html) (461 vs. 483, for whatever that's worth). Given the fact that the Canon costs about $100 more than the Epson, more or less, the Epson would appear to be the better choice. Of course, as I stated above, the cost of the printer is minor compared to the cost of the ink.

[ChasP505]

You should take a look at the HP B8850 before making a decision. Same quality as the B9180 minus some frills.

http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?op=NewsDesk_Internal&article_num=011608-3

[gkas]

You should take a look at the HP B8850 before making a decision. Same quality as the B9180 minus some frills.

http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?op=NewsDesk_Internal&article_num=011608-3


But then you'd have an HP printer. Their product support is terrible. After seeing the computers they put their name on, I'll never buy another HP product. A once fine name gone bad.

[scouser525]

I have an Epson 2100 (had it for 3 years) and an Epson 7800. I wouldn't buy any other printer. I print photo's on to canvas using the 7800 and the quality is excellent.

[ChasP505]

But then you'd have an HP printer.
Yes, you would indeed have an HP printer. I cannot dispute that.

Their product support is terrible.

An anecdotal remark! My anecdotal response is that I have received nothing but fine support from HP over the last ten years.

After seeing the computers they put their name on, I'll never buy another HP product. A once fine name gone bad.

I would not buy an HP computer either... MY PCs are custom built and my graphics computers at the office are Macs. But I thought we were discussing 13" printers in the $500 USD price range? Until you can cite some extreme negative reviews on the HP B8850, this model is indeed a printer worth looking at.

[pos]

Robert, I have always had HP printers and never had any problems with them. I am now using the photosmart pro B8350 for 13x19 prints and i am more than happy with the IQ of the pic's. pos

[rrrize]

I've done a lot of searching before posing the question "what's the best printer going for ~$500US?".

Also, what is the preference for ink? Dye or what?

I'm a newbie to printing as most my stuff is sent off. I do however think i will have more hanger is i have a printer.

Thanks in advance for any guidance.

Robert


I just purchased the Epson R1900. Can't give a review yet as I haven't hooked it up... about to do that in a few minutes. : ) I will say that Billy R is correct in that Epson did have a $100 rebate up on their site for the R1900 that expired on April 30th... but they removed it for whatever reason. Well, the rebate is still valid. I don't think they want people to know it's out there any longer, but I assure you it's valid. I have a copy of it in .pdf. I will gladly e-mail it to you if you want it. It says very clearly on it the following:

"FOR PURCHASES MADE ONLINE FROM THE EPSON STORE
BETWEEN 4/1/08 AND 4/30/08."

I called Epson customer service and they confirmed that they would honor it. I asked why it's no longer on the site and the rep said "...because of some complications." I didn't bother to question her any further. I was just glad that they'd honor it. Let me know if you need it.

[BillyR]

I called Epson customer service and they confirmed that they would honor it. I asked why it's no longer on the site and the rep said "...because of some complications." I didn't bother to question her any further. I was just glad that they'd honor it. Let me know if you need it. HaHaHa. I betcha' I know what those complications are (Too many people taking advantage of the offer!). I came within about an inch of taking advantage of that offer myself when it first appeared, and even downloaded the coupon, but remembered the hassle of constantly having cartridges on order, and having to delay jobs while waiting for cartridges to arrive when I miscalculated, both on my R800 and R1800. After much consideration I decided instead to buy a 3800, and I've now had it for about a week and a half. I really liked the image quality of both my previous printers, but the skimpy cartridges finally decided me. I'm quite happy with the 3800 so far, although I'm still learning the techniques of getting the best from it. I will especially enjoy not having juggle my cartridge orders so as to assure myself of a good supply while not accumulating too many of the lesser-used ones.

If the R1900 is anything like the 800 & 1800, the image quality will be superb, and you will enjoy it. If you print a lot better do some careful planning with your cartridge orders, though, unless you live somewhere they are readily available (I don't know of such a place).

[Yeoer]

My 2p worth on HP...! my main job is in IT and HP are the worst company for printers... support what support there products go end of life every other day with a new model using new consumables to replace it... there lasers are VERY expensive to run as well... then you get the 'HP sales rep's' trying to make me buy high capacity toner catridges and cleaner sheets all the time... you know the ones... phone up and act like they are your best friend blah blah... then say i'll send you a sample... you think great then they ask for a purchase order for £270...!!!!

We use an R1800 for photo's which seems to be very good, the plan is to install a CIS system on it to make it even cheaper to run.

[sevans16]

I have been told by several Pros that Epsons are the way to go. For IQ and they are suppose to have excellant inks. I will probably be getting the 1900 soon myself. I started a 1900 vs 9500 thread a few weeks ago. I have been on the same tract researching. The new Canon may be very good? But the Epsons seem to have a better rep.

[Tixeon]

Speaking of getting ink at a good price and quick, itsupplies.com is really good to deal with.