Q: Hi everyone. I know there are printers that use ink tanks instead of ink cartridges. By this I mean that the ones with ink tanks do not include a print head in the cartridge but rather this is located within the printer and therefore the ink tanks are way cheaper. This print head must be replaced after some time, I know that. So I was wondering, in your experience, which canon multifunctional offers this solution? Print head separate from the ink tanks and how long does a print head last? I'm after a multifunctional, Canon preferred. At the moment I've got a Pixma MP170 whose cartridges I refill myself but these must be replaced every 10 refills or so and a couple of these is equal to the cost of a new printer! Anyway, thanks for your help!
A: Most of the new printers manufactured today have chips in the cartridge which self-destruct when the ink registers empty. Companies are doing whatever they can to prevent refilling. Epson printers also have separate heads and while their cartridges are also difficult to refill you can find cheap compatibles which work well at http://ccs-digital.com/ink.asp Epson has the best warranty in the market. For a year they will express-ship a replacement printer and pick up the old one should it fail (something one of my clients had to do and it was quick and painless). I have been using Epson printers for well over ten years. I still have a CX3810 going strong for several years now. Friends and family members have just about every other version of the CX series (scanner/copier/printer). Right now epson.com is having a July 4th sale of $99 for the CX9400 or RX595. Try Buy.com for the CX7400 or 8400. Last time I looked it was $70 and there may be a rebate.