I know this is the raw, print PP section so I thought I would do a small install and review on the CIS kit i got. I've been in the market for one of these lately and finally plunged in and picked one up for my R1800. I went with the inkrepublic CIS kit and mediastreet pigment inks. (Thanks JohnJ80)Total cost: $ 331.42 (181.47 mediastreet inks 3day shipping: 149.95 inkrepublic kit).
Items in the ink republic kit:
* 1 Clear square case with 8 ink containers and 1 waste ink container.
* 1 Waste ink tube
* 1 set of rest chips
* 1 pair of latex gloves
* 1 small double ended screw drive (flat head/ Philips)
* 1 set of tube braces
* 1 set of 8 ink cartridges with tube and cutoff clamps
* 1 new ink try cover
* 1 instructions burned onto a CD
* 2 round foam adhesive pads
* 1 suck bottle
* 2 Cartridge removal rings
Mediastreet pigment inks G-Chrome RB G7
First impression:
Date ordered 02/16/08; Saturday (both items)
Date received 02/22/08; Friday(both items)
Customer care (mediastreet)
*pros: Fast responses to any e-mails I sent. Had them make a custom ICC profile for there inks for the Epson photo glossy paper, received it a few days after I requested it. Once again fast.
*cons: They supplied the wrong tracking number in cash invoice in e-mail (Happens from time to time)
Customer service (inkrepublic)
*pros: Before I bought the kit I asked a few questions super fast responses with accurate answers.
*cons: Once I ordered the kit I emailed them asking if they shipped it out, once on 02/20/08 and today 02/22/08. No responses. They say they will email you when the item ships, never happened. (but they did apologize for the delayed response the day i received the package.)
Packaging (mediastreet): Inks sealed in clear plastic bags 4 per bag then taped shut & placed in packing popcorn in a box well sized for two bags of ink. A++
Packaging (inkrepublic):
Everything was sealed in its own bag. I'm talking sealed like computer components are from the manufacturer. Packed tight in a box a tad small for everything but none the less well packed. A+
Installation instruction:
I quickly read through the word document file they provide on the CD on how to install there CIS kit. Very easy to understand and on top of that they have pictures literally step by step on what you need to do and how to do it. For the sake of this thread I am not going to post step by step but more section by section as I go along.
Step one: Swapping out the ink tray covers.
“BE VERY CAREFULL NOT TO BREAK THE TAB WHEN DOING THIS!” Damn wish I took some of my own advice. Well it is not going to hinder the performance but still pissed me off. Errrrrrrrrrrrrrr! O well on we go.
Power on the printer then hit the ink button try moves over unplug printer now ink tray moves freely on the track. Pop out the old cover replace with the new cover. Since I broke the left tab I will be modifying the Epson cover to work. It has the center section that locks in with the ink tray and stay in place better then if I had to use the provided cover. If the bracket did not brake then I would use the inkrepublic cover.
Broken tab:
Old & New Compared:
Marked area to modify Epson tray:
Epson tray cover modified:
Now the chipset are extremely easy to install. Make sure you install the right ones on the proper side then followed by the support brace.
Chipsets and braces in place:
Once you are finished with the tray, the real fun begins. I quickly labeled the ink bottles by color and then double checked the tubes to the dampers and labeled them as well. Filled the bottles and started the purging of the dampers. The more anal you are the longer it will take.
/ 
