Because Epson have recently removed their C86 models from sale the new replacement, the D88 model, is still very much an "unknown" in terms of its chips and the cartridges it uses.

I've opted to buy in a D88 and take a look at what is different with a view to testing CIS kits when they come out. Ink Republic and MIS both have requests in for more information on their intended support timetables so I'll post more when I get additional information.

My guess is that the Ink Republic will get there first as the buffer system doesn't limit compability with the heads (unless of course that has changed drastically). They should only need new auto-reset chips to cope with any adjustments made there.

I'll report back when I have more information...



Last edited by Martin on Thu Nov 10, 2005 12:12 am; edited 1 time in total
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Printers: (Canon) MP500/830, MX700, iP4000/4200/4300/4500/5200, iX4000(A3) (Epson) C84/86, D88, CX6600, R285/800/1900 (HP) K550, K850, K5400, L7680

Initial investigation shows that the D88 is likely to be the UK version of the same printer which is badged as the C88 in the USA.

CISs units are available now from Ink Republic for the C88 and I've had email confirmation that they are testing a D88 from the UK with the same chips, buffers and inks.


Feedback from MIS is still outstanding and I've seen no CIS kits or reset chips offered from any other suppliers on ebay or elsewhere yet.


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Printers: (Canon) MP500/830, MX700, iP4000/4200/4300/4500/5200, iX4000(A3) (Epson) C84/86, D88, CX6600, R285/800/1900 (HP) K550, K850, K5400, L7680

Ok... I can now confirm that the D88 is more or less the same as the C86 with a few changes that affect things.


This information is specific to the Ink Republic buffer kits

1. The auto-reset chips are not quite the same as the C86. I may have a slightly odd batch but the chips I have from Ink Republic are showing some slightly odd values on print monitor with values for the black cartridge showing as 100% throughout.. This is odd because the I.R. chips usually show 95% initially before reducing to roughly 20% and resetting to 95% again. It could be I just have an odd chip but I'm waiting on word from I.R. on that one (and hopefully a set of C88 [USA name] chips to test).

2. The ink nipples (that stick into the ink cartridges and feed ink to the head) seem to be a lot thinner than on previous versions. As a result the I.R. buffers have a lot more freedom of movement than is healthy. At a guess it could cause leakage so I'd recommend padding between and around the buffers to hold them upgright. This should stop them leaning and causing gaps for ink to escape or air to leak in.


Bottom line, it's still compatible and MIS Associated have also confirmed that their C86 kits are compatible with the C88's so everything should still work fine for them too.

In terms of ink.. I've only tested the MIS Ultrachrome inks and guessing somewhat the newer MIS Pro inks should provide an even better result.

Hopefully this is good news.


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Printers: (Canon) MP500/830, MX700, iP4000/4200/4300/4500/5200, iX4000(A3) (Epson) C84/86, D88, CX6600, R285/800/1900 (HP) K550, K850, K5400, L7680

This information will save you a lot of problems with the Epson D88 (and I assume the C88 too).

The driver for the D88 now includes the Status Monitor as standard rather than as an optional, seperate installation. The problem with this is that Status monitor will drive you crazy with lots of warnings about how your printer ink and cartridges are the wrong type, etc... if you use a CIS or generic (unbranded) cartridges this makes is almost impossible to share the printer with anyone else over a network and causes problems if you use the SSC utility to set/reset anything*

A quick call to Epson helped find a way to disable it though.

• Click Start -> Control Panel -> Printers & Faxes
  
• Find your D88 printer listed and right click it
  
• Choose Printing Preferences
  
• Select the Maintenance tab
  
• Click on the Speed & Progress button (near bottom right)
  
• Tick the Disable EPSON Status Monitor 3 option
  
• Click OK, etc...

All sorted


* The SSC Utility for resetting printer ink counters, etc... does not yet support the D88 printer. (as at the date of this post)


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Printers: (Canon) MP500/830, MX700, iP4000/4200/4300/4500/5200, iX4000(A3) (Epson) C84/86, D88, CX6600, R285/800/1900 (HP) K550, K850, K5400, L7680