As a brand new member of the forum I would like first of all to say Hi to everyone and congratulate the site for being an absolute mine of information.

I have taken the plunge into printing my own photographs and purchased an Epson R1900 a month ago. I absolutely love what it produces for me but am beginning to have to think carefully before splashing out another 70 quid or so for my third batch of original ink carts. Please don't get the wrong idea, I knew the cost implications when I bought the printer, I just didn't realise how enthusiastic I was going to get about printing my own photos.

In a nutshell, original carts are too expensive so would like if possible to get some advice on purchasing a CIS for my Epson. Does anyone have a CIS in use with an R1900? I have seen that Lyson are in the process of producing a R1900 CIS and InkRepublic already have one. Any comments on the reliability of these two would be great, as would any other advice.

Many thanks.

Pete

PeteJ wrote:

As a brand new member of the forum I would like first of all to say Hi to everyone and congratulate the site for being an absolute mine of information.

Always a good start... Welcome fellow printer geek (you can live in denial but we all know the truth)

Quote:

I have taken the plunge into printing my own photographs and purchased an Epson R1900 a month ago. I absolutely love what it produces for me but am beginning to have to think carefully before splashing out another 70 quid or so for my third batch of original ink carts. Please don't get the wrong idea, I knew the cost implications when I bought the printer, I just didn't realise how enthusiastic I was going to get about printing my own photos.

A common problem and one the manufacturers like to count on but anyways...

Quote:

In a nutshell, original carts are too expensive so would like if possible to get some advice on purchasing a CIS for my Epson. Does anyone have a CIS in use with an R1900? I have seen that Lyson are in the process of producing a R1900 CIS and InkRepublic already have one. Any comments on the reliability of these two would be great, as would any other advice.

Your key issue is going to be that the R1900 is a very new printer which in turn means that the CIS manufacturers, 3rd party cartridge providers, etc.. are all playing catch-up, especially when it comes to the auto-reset chips (ARC's)

In terms of specifics, Lyson are always a good bet as they tend to have high quality reputation. You tend to hear more of them in the wider format arena because that's where they specialise. You do pay for the quality though..

Ink Republic are an interesting approach. They seem to have bucked the trend of using the one-size-fits-all kits which come out of China and at a guess they must have an in house chip designer or similar, tied in very tight. In terms of innovation I can't really fault them.. The spongeless buffer hasn't changed much since it's original design and some of their reservoirs are a little impractical or "different". I also found their tubing material a little poor though in earlier models, although that experience is now 2 years old plus.

I'll be honest I had a bad experience with their kit, not their service,so I'm aware that I have a bias of sorts. I like what they've done with their chip design on the C110/D120 and the R280/285 and in fairness to them I think the only way they've managed it is through their buffers so you could do worse. Their tubing material and pathway still bugs me somewhat

On reflection you could do worse with either, but I think I'd recommend going with an empty kit if you feel confident with priming a kit yourself, and then purchase your own ink in bulk from a trusted supplier closer to home.



As you'll no doubt learn in this business, there are no definitive answers, just more questions, and your choice and subsequent experience will add to the knowledge... and confusion.

Best of luck



_________________
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

Thanks for replying so comprehensively Martin. As you say one size rarely fits all so I think what I'll be doing is keeping my eye on Lyson for a wee while longer and see what they come up with. The detail on the reset chip is most facinating and an angle I just wouldn't have picked up on had I not read some posts about it here.

I notice that Chinese (I assume third party) ink seems to be getting much more prevelant for CIS - it's probably been so for some time but I just haven't picked up on it.

I'm sure I'll have a hundred Qs to ask when it's time to buy. I'm waiting for a reply from Lyson as to when they think they may have a product ready to go. Anyway until the thanks agian for the initial advice.

Regards

Pete

Martin,

Just a thought - if I were to get the empty system from IR would you or anyone else have any suggestions around where I would be able to buy good quality ink?

Thanks in advance

Pete

PeteJ wrote:

Martin,

Just a thought - if I were to get the empty system from IR would you or anyone else have any suggestions around where I would be able to buy good quality ink?

Thanks in advance

Pete

If you can give me an indication of where you are in the world I can certainly do that... but don't just take my word as gospel... I'd recommend checking in on nifty-stuff forums as well as maybe stevesforums for a few other opinions.


_________________
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

Apologies Martin, I have just updated my profile - UK Lincolnshire.

Funnily enough I was looking at Nifty-stuff last night, didn't know about Steve's though so will have a read of that tonight.

I had a reply from Paul at Marrut who tells me that the inks for the R1900 are almost ready and are now with Lyson for testing. I assume this is a good thing! No indication as to how long the testing will take though. I am hopeful that it's not too long.

Best wishes

Pete

PeteJ wrote:

Martin,

Just a thought - if I were to get the empty system from IR would you or anyone else have any suggestions around where I would be able to buy good quality ink?

Thanks in advance

Pete

Pete
You can buy the ink direct from Image Specialists the only problem is that the minimum amount is 16oz and that will cost you $35.00 per color + shipping. IS Link http://www.image-specialists.com/catalog_desktop_step1.aspx

Also you can get a CIS or refillable cartridges on eBay

http://cgi.ebay.com/Refillable-Cartridges-for-Epson-R1900...

CIS link (the inks are not Image Specialists)

http://cgi.ebay.com/H00rl-Pigment-CISS-for-Epson-R1900...

good luck


Mod Note: original urls included parameters that looked a lot like exploit code and were removed... Please post direct links like those above in future

PeteJ wrote:

Apologies Martin, I have just updated my profile - UK Lincolnshire.

Funnily enough I was looking at Nifty-stuff last night, didn't know about Steve's though so will have a read of that tonight.

I had a reply from Paul at Marrut who tells me that the inks for the R1900 are almost ready and are now with Lyson for testing. I assume this is a good thing! No indication as to how long the testing will take though. I am hopeful that it's not too long.

Best wishes

Pete

Blimey, apologies myself... you wrote 6 days before my wedding so I was swamped and completely forgot to respond.

In answer to your question I'm in the process of sorting out small (well for me) quantities of inks for the R1800 and other Epson printers that are Image Specialists based. If you're still interested I can organise a quote.

Cheers


_________________
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

PeteJ wrote:

Martin,

Just a thought - if I were to get the empty system from IR would you or anyone else have any suggestions around where I would be able to buy good quality ink?

Thanks in advance

Pete

Pete
You can buy the ink direct from Image Specialists the only problem is that the minimum amount is 16oz and that will cost you $35.00 per color + shipping. http://www.image-specialists.com/catalog_desktop_step1.aspx

l0l0pr wrote:

Pete
You can buy the ink direct from Image Specialists the only problem is that the minimum amount is 16oz and that will cost you $35.00 per color + shipping. http://www.image-specialists.com/catalog_desktop_step1.aspx

There's also Precision Colours:
http://home.eol.ca/~mikling/

... He's a very active member of the nifty-stuff forum and has been around for quite a while so whilst he's not got a proper domain don't let that put you off...


NB: apologies to l0l0pr for not noticing that the spam filter had caught his original response until now.


_________________
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