Pixma 9000 Pro Vrs R1800

I have an R1800 printer which I don't really use, I've been wanting to start printing regularly now and heard a lot of great things about the Pixma 9000. I can get one new right now for $299 and considered buying one while I can.

Anyone know how the Pixma 9000 Pro compares to the R1800. Is it worth switching over to or should I just clean and buy ink for my R1800?

I've heard from a few people the Pixma 9000 lab quality or better in some cases.

I haven't been able to find much information on how long the ink lasts though, and what the costs would be compared to sending it out to print.

Love to hear from anyone familiar with both printers.

It would be like swapping a Toyota Corolla for a Honda Civic. They are the same class of printer. I would only do it if the Epson is in need of expensive repairs.

BTW... You should be able to buy a 9000 mkII for under $250.

I picked up a new one for $200. I like it much better than my Epson 1400.

ChasP505 wrote in post #11469323
It would be like swapping a Toyota Corolla for a Honda Civic. They are the same class of printer. I would only do it if the Epson is in need of expensive repairs.

BTW... You should be able to buy a 9000 mkII for under $250.

I ended up grabbing one for $225 shipped.

Saxi wrote in post #11470352
I ended up grabbing one for $225 shipped.

Good deal!

ChasP505 wrote in post #11470523
Good deal!

The ink seems to be a bit cheaper as well. I couldn't find any comparisons, but the feedback made me feel it is probably a better printer than the R1800.

Saxi wrote in post #11470553
The ink seems to be a bit cheaper as well. I couldn't find any comparisons, but the feedback made me feel it is probably a better printer than the R1800.

Take a look at the in-depth reviews here:

Epson
Canon

They seem pretty comparable, and the Epson has pigment inks vs the dye inks of the Canon. That should mean the prints from the Epson will have a longer life before they begin to fade, but whether that matters depends on how the prints are stored/mounted/handled and where they are displayed.

I certainly wouldn't spend money to move from one to the other, but everyone has their own priorities...

gcogger wrote in post #11471383
Take a look at the in-depth reviews here:

Epson
Canon

They seem pretty comparable, and the Epson has pigment inks vs the dye inks of the Canon. That should mean the prints from the Epson will have a longer life before they begin to fade, but whether that matters depends on how the prints are stored/mounted/handled and where they are displayed.

I certainly wouldn't spend money to move from one to the other, but everyone has their own priorities...

I'm looking at the comparison images on that Canon review and the Canon definitely looks like it has better output (more detail) than the R1800. The eye just looks a bit more defined and sharper. I can sell the R1800 for near the same price, the savings on ink alone will pay for the printer as well. I believe this printer is a little smaller too, the R1800 is a tank.

Comments I've read on various forums suggest that the ink costs per print should work out much the same but, if that's a driving factor, have you considered keeping the Epson and investing in a continuous ink system (CIS) for it? That would save a lot of money in the long run.

Price is the key driving factor, but it is always a consideration. I am not worried as much about up front but on-going costs.

I have tried CIS systems, in fact that is why I bought the R1800 as there are so many, but I had a bad experience with one of the ones I tried, never got it to work and made a mess. I doubt any of them will give near OEM quality, and I question if there are any that work reliably. I'd do it in a heartbeat if it met both of those concerns. Ink is so outrageously priced.

It may be worth starting another thread to ask about CIS systems (or maybe something would turn up in a search)? I'm pretty sure I've heard good things about them, though I've not tried them myself.

Where are you finding the Canon for around $200?

Ebay & CraigsList, due to the end of year rebates, a lot of people dumping them with new camera purchases.