I got a HP Deskjet-all-in-one, and when I replace the Ink Carts, I noticed the print head goes with it. So every time I buy a new cart, I essentially buy a new print head too. Does that drive up costs?
My first inkjet was an Epson (I remember how bullet-proof their dot matrix printers were... inkjets turned out to be very different though).
The Epson strategy was to leave the print-head attached to the printer & just replace the ink reservoir. I wasn't exactly a high volume printer (put off by the price of ink and poor quality results!) so needless to say the print-head quickly got clogged and nothing I could do would unclog it. Piece of junk.
I had an Epson c80. If you don't use that printer every day the print head gets clogged. Due to my infrequent usage, I had to use the clean print head function every time I turned it on.
The procedure for cleaning the print head? Blast ink at it till it comes clean. If at first you don't succeed - blast more ink at it. Needless to say, brand new carts were empty after about 6 uses because of the stupid cleaning technique.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Aguiluz @ Feb 28th 2008 4:36PM
I got a HP Deskjet-all-in-one, and when I replace the Ink Carts, I noticed the print head goes with it. So every time I buy a new cart, I essentially buy a new print head too. Does that drive up costs?
Aguiluz @ Feb 28th 2008 4:41PM
Look at this:
http://images.tomshardware.com/2002/09/06/hp_deskjet_5550/hp_deskjet_5550_4.jpg
Those "ribbon wire" go to the print head, which gets replaced when you buy a new one. Drives up costs if you ask me.
Luke @ Feb 28th 2008 4:41PM
Maybe, however, you are getting a brand-new, clog-free print head every time.
But in another, more accurate way, yes, they are totally gouging you for it.
Jon @ Feb 28th 2008 5:09PM
Yes but...
My first inkjet was an Epson (I remember how bullet-proof their dot matrix printers were... inkjets turned out to be very different though).
The Epson strategy was to leave the print-head attached to the printer & just replace the ink reservoir. I wasn't exactly a high volume printer (put off by the price of ink and poor quality results!) so needless to say the print-head quickly got clogged and nothing I could do would unclog it. Piece of junk.
JTM @ Feb 28th 2008 7:28PM
I had an Epson c80. If you don't use that printer every day the print head gets clogged. Due to my infrequent usage, I had to use the clean print head function every time I turned it on.
The procedure for cleaning the print head? Blast ink at it till it comes clean. If at first you don't succeed - blast more ink at it. Needless to say, brand new carts were empty after about 6 uses because of the stupid cleaning technique.
I now use laser exclusively.