Archived from groups: comp.periphs.printers (
More info?)
PC Medic wrote:
> "Taliesyn" <taliesyn4@netscape.net> wrote in message
> news:37aavoF56r279U1@individual.net...
>
>>PC Medic wrote:
>>
>>>"MB_" <mel@prodigy.invalid.net> wrote in message
>>>news:Ub%Md.27731$0Y5.20412@fe06.lga...
>>>
>>>
>>>>We recently got this printer and we like it. We are new to digital
>>>>cameras/printing, so we have some elementary questions:
>>>>
>>>>Question: how will we know when one of the cartridges is empty? Will the
>>>>printer flash and indicate which cartridge? Will it indicate on the
>>>>computer?
>>>>
>>>>Also, when replacing the cartridge, I see there are 2 black cartridges:
>>>>BCI-3EBK and BCI-6BK. What are the differences between the two. I assume
>>>>if one goes, we have to replace it with the same cartridge. Correct?
>>>>
>>>>Finally, any thoughts on replacement brands. Should we use the far
>>>>cheaper compatibles or stay with the Canon brand?
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>The iP4000 uses a combination optical and dot count sensor system for ink
>>>low and ink out warnings.
>>
>>No point in counting dots with a prism on every cartridge. ALL cartridges
>>(any brand) that I've ever used, have always had the prism
>>(just plastic, aint' it?).
>>
>
>
> Certainly is and were you aware of how the printer functions you would know
> that.
> You have of course noticed two seperate chambers in these cartridges have
> you not? Perhaps you would care to explain your design in how the printer
> will not waste the significant amount of ink in the filter side of the
> cartridge simply because the prism in the liquid only chamber is now
> exposed?
Huh? Check the Internet on how the prism functions in the
cartridge.
> And if ALL your cartridges have prisms, you are buying genuine Canon inks or
> refills, not different brand cartridges, just different brand ink inside.
>
First of all you cannot buy Canon refills, only new Canon cartridges.
Canon doesn't believe in refilling. And I've never ever found a
dealer stuffing their ink into second-hand, used Canon cartridges.
Who would be the idiot to go to all that trouble of procuring used,
empty Canon cartridges! The people who sell Canon cartridges use
only brand new, factory fresh cartrides, and not made by Canon.
And they are generally of a much cheaper standard. But they all
have a prism!!!
>>>It will first warn you when the tank is getting low and then when the
>>>cartridge is empty a second message will indicate this and the printing
>>>will stop until the cartridge is replaced.
>>
>>I don't know if it stops printing. I doubt it. I've never heard anyone
>>in this group mention that before.
>>
>
>
> I assure you that if you go to print and the ink is empty the printer status
> monitor should pop-up a window showing that an ink is empty.
Yes, I've seen that. That's your last warning. But it's only a warning,
it doesn't take the "key out of the ignition".
> Now of course you can force it to start again, but would not be advisable.
>
Agreed.
>
>>>The two black tanks are to accommodate sharp black text as well as true
>>>black gradient in photos.
>>
>>The large black is only used for text, the smaller for photos.
>>
>
> So you word it differently... does not change what I stated.
No, I worded it correctly.
Yes, indeed it changes what you stated! According to you they are used
for text and photos with no mention that each particular cartridge has
only one function. According to me, the large is for text, the small is
for photos. That is very different!
> We could get technical and say BCI-3eBk is for text and BCI6Bk is for
> photos.
That's what the original poster wanted to know. Why reply with basically
what he already knew???
> But then that would not be 100% accurate either as there are exceptions
> based on application, and media type setting in driver.
He wanted the general rule, not the odd exception.
>
>>>My recommendation is stay with the Canon brands. While the inks may cost
>>>a bit more,
>>
>>A bit? Two complete sets cost the same as an iP4000 in Canada. I can
>>refill for $5 a set.
>>
>
>
> Now wait, are you refilling or buying 3rd party cartridges. Lets keep your
> story straight.
If I sometimes speak of refilling and sometimes of "3rd party
cartridges', that's because I run two printers - one with new
3rd party cartridges (not made by Canon and they have a prism ;-) and
the other I refill with bulk ink.
> I am not going into the whole cost analysis thing. It has been covered too
> many times in this and other forums.
>
>
>>>the output is more accurate without playing with driver settings and
>>>wasting paper to get it right.
>>
>>The difference, if there is one, depending on brand used, is negligible.
>>Regular paper costs almost nothing. Even my best photo paper can be had
>>for an estimated 7 cents a 4x6 sheet, and the ink costs nothing.
>>
>
> Negligible to you perhaps. I can assure you it is significant to others.
>
"They" would be the minority in the millions of satisfied people who buy
3rd party inks and cartridges. In the ten years (approximately) that
I've been using 3rd party inks/cartridges, I've never been forced to
make any color corrections. So I don't see it as a stumbling block to
great printing for anyone.
>
>>>Third party carts also do not contain the prism required for the ink
>>>sensor
>>
>>Yes, they do. No cartridge dealer would (or should) be so stupid as sell
>>cartridges without the all important prism in protecting the print head
>>(printing without ink can burn the print head, so I hear). I doubt any
>>dealers want the responsibility of burning their customers' printers.
>
>
> I see these 3rd party carts all the time without the prism. So your
> statement is blatently incorrect. You may want to be sure you are not
> confusing ink with cartridges also.
>
Well, as stupid as I am for being led on... I looked at four brands
of cartridges (only one made by Canon) in my repertoire, turning over
the yellow ones (most translucent) and lo and behold!... they all have a
prism, the little triangular piece of plastic at the bottom of the
cartridge. Okay, so I am sane and I do know what I'm talking about, and
my story is blatantly correct as posted. Perhaps I shop at better
dealers ;-)
>
>>>and refilling your own while often successful
>>
>>Easiest cartridges to fill and little or no worries about air bubbles
>>blocking flow after you've filled them. I've never, never, ever, had a
>>cartridge that wouldn't flow right off the bat. Also, these cartridges
>>should never leak from after refilling like the typical Lexmark and HP
>>cartridges. If they do leak from the exit hole, you haven't sealed the
>>fill hole properly. Simple as that.
>>
>
>
> And others have not been so lucky as you.
I fail to see where the element of luck is involved if you follow
simple instructions. On the other hand, if you're not mechanically
inclined, as I'm beginning to think, I could see problems.
> Note I said it is 'often
> successful" as unlike you I am aware there are two sides to this issue.
> While they should flow, they do not always, while they should not leak, they
> sometimes do.
>
I refill my two printers and my sister's Canon. So I've probably filled
at least 50 cartridges so far, and they all worked first first time
trying. I can't be "lucky" 50 times!!! Give me a break. If they leak
it's not because refilling is a sometimes thing, it's because I did a
bum job sealing it, simple as that.
>
>>>can also lead to poor image quality and other issues if not done right.
>>>
>>
>>Not true. There is no real wrong way of filling. As long as you manage
>>to fill the suggested chamber with ink and seal it air tight after,
>>that's the whole 'ball game'. That's ALL you need to know. Simply follow
>>the given instructions (or choose your own from the internet) and fill
>>with quality refill ink specifically made for your printer type, never
>>anything labeled "universal" or "works in all printers". These are risky
>>and can possibly trash your print head, or simply give unsatisfactory
>>printouts. My preference is any dealer that sells ink made by Formulabs.
>>
>>-Taliesyn
>
>
> You contradict yourself here, so I will not add to it.
>
Where, oh please?
"Universal" and "works in all printers" inks should be BANNED.
That's my thought. These inks are not (fully) compatible with ANY
printer and cartridge type!
-Taliesyn
dOdnVcrBrNNlIzfRVn-jw@comcast.com...
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