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Raw & Post Processing, Printing => Printing: Printers, Papers and Inks => Topic started by: mseawell on February 10, 2014, 07:05:08 am

Title: Epson R3000 how reliable
Post by: mseawell on February 10, 2014, 07:05:08 am
Hello! I was seeking some advice for my next printer. I currently use a Canon 9500 MKII but I see the Epson R3000 has a $150 rebate making the price $750 at BHPHOTO running till the end of the month. I have a friend who is really getting into printing and wants to purchase my Canon 9500 MKII. I'm tempted to sell and I read good things on the Epson r3000 (I print a LOT of B&W) but I  see people have gotten lemons or it printed for 3 months and it died. I've had the Canon for over two years and (knocking on wood) I've never had the slightest problem with it. I'm American living in Germany and shipping a broke printer back to the states to get it fixed would be a disaster for me. I would like to know what current Epson r3000 owners think of the reliabilty of their printers. I would also like to know what people think of the print quality compared to my Canon 9500 MKII especially black & white or compared to the Canon Pro-1. Bottom line is this going to be a big jump in print quality from my current Canon?

Thanks in advance

Mark Seawell
Title: Re: Epson R3000 how reliable
Post by: francois on February 10, 2014, 07:19:55 am
Mark,
How are local prices in Germany? Here in Switzerland, the R300 sells under CHF700 (VAT included) which is around $770. Shipping from the US and import taxes/VAT should make much more expensive than the $750.

I cannot comment on the reliability, I don't own the R3000…
Title: Re: Epson R3000 how reliable
Post by: mseawell on February 10, 2014, 08:02:08 am
I haven't check but my problem is I'm heading back to the states to live probably this summer so I need 110v. I'm still doing my research but I'm reading a lot of stories about dead R3000 printers and this bothers me. It seems to be "When it is working it produces GREAT prints!" but I value reliability a lot and my two canon printers have NEVER given me a problem. Hmmmmm
Title: Re: Epson R3000 how reliable
Post by: francois on February 10, 2014, 08:18:04 am
I haven't check but my problem is I'm heading back to the states to live probably this summer so I need 110v. I'm still doing my research but I'm reading a lot of stories about dead R3000 printers and this bothers me. It seems to be "When it is working it produces GREAT prints!" but I value reliability a lot and my two canon printers have NEVER given me a problem. Hmmmmm

I see so a printer bought in Europe/220V is out of question. Now, is the trouble to ship that printer to Germany and then back to the states really worth it?
Title: Re: Epson R3000 how reliable
Post by: mseawell on February 10, 2014, 08:20:32 am
Maybe not! Canon printers have a world wide warrenty. I'm not sure about the Epson printers. I think I may just hold on to my Canon till I get back to the states. The epson r3000 seems to have some SERIOUS reliability issues. I don't need the drama, just good prints!

Mark
Title: Re: Epson R3000 how reliable
Post by: hanzo on February 12, 2014, 12:19:37 pm
I had it for 2 years now.. and only print occasionally, like maybe once a month or less.
no serious problem so far. But I live in humid climate
Title: Re: Epson R3000 how reliable
Post by: pikeys on February 12, 2014, 01:59:33 pm
Maybe not! Canon printers have a world wide warrenty. I'm not sure about the Epson printers. I think I may just hold on to my Canon till I get back to the states. The epson r3000 seems to have some SERIOUS reliability issues. I don't need the drama, just good prints!

Mark,
I've had my R3000 since 7/2011,and until recently I had no problem
Due to USER ERROR,and lack of use,I didn't turn on the printer sometimes for 2,3,4 months.{due to work schedule}
Printers don't like that.
I developed an issue where large deposit of black ink were deposited on the paper
So,had to take it in for repair { was out of warranty} ,& got it fixed by the next day.
They had to replace a part,that is used to control the ink flow-they went over the entire printer,and now the R3000 is singing.,& runs like a brand new machine.

So,I recommend you get it,maybe wait until you are back in the States
Epson is always running sales,& promos--sign up for their e-mail discounts.,they will auto contact you,when the sales begin

Hope this helps
Mike
Title: Re: Epson R3000 how reliable
Post by: LeonD on February 13, 2014, 04:52:19 pm
I've had my R3000 for two years now.  It's connected to an iMac running Lightroom and I use refillable ink cartridges with third party ink.

I really haven't done that much printing with my busiest month being maybe 10 - 15 prints (mostly 13x19).  And I have gone 2 to 3 months without printing anything.

This printer has been flawless.  In two years, I think I've run the cleaning cycle once.  Even after sitting for three month, I'll start it up and the first print is perfect.

I'd highly recommend an Epson R3000.
Title: Re: Epson R3000 how reliable
Post by: pikeys on February 13, 2014, 05:27:32 pm
I've had my R3000 for two years now.  It's connected to an iMac running Lightroom and I use refillable ink cartridges with third party ink.

I really haven't done that much printing with my busiest month being maybe 10 - 15 prints (mostly 13x19).  And I have gone 2 to 3 months without printing anything.

This printer has been flawless.  In two years, I think I've run the cleaning cycle once.  Even after sitting for three month, I'll start it up and the first print is perfect.

I'd highly recommend an Epson R3000.

Consider yourself lucky...
My repair center had 2 R3000  in the shop,and a number of much larger models as well

Mike
Title: Re: Epson R3000 how reliable
Post by: Farmer on February 14, 2014, 01:24:44 am
I'm inclined to remind people that the plural of anecdote is not data.
Title: Re: Epson R3000 how reliable
Post by: Rhossydd on February 14, 2014, 04:28:15 am
I'm inclined to remind people that the plural of anecdote is not data.
True, but there seems to be more anecdotes about the R3000 failing mechanically than any other Epson printer I can remember. Not only that, but ownership levels don't seem to be as high as other models, so it seems to have a higher number of 'anecdotes' per unit than any other Epson printer out there. Maybe not definitive 'data', but an an indication that there's a problem there.

Where would we be with out all the 'anecdotes' of premature ink fading that was widely reported in the past ? If that hadn't been so widely and rightly criticised pigment inks might have taken a lot longer to hit the market. 
Title: Re: Epson R3000 how reliable
Post by: dgberg on February 14, 2014, 05:32:06 am
If piece of mind is what you are looking for all you have to do is spend $200+ more and get the proven realibility and cost savings of the 3880.
You can print 17" wide.
The printer just does not clog.
3800 has a proven 5 year track record. 3880 follows in the same footstep.
You get get full 80ml carts or 720 ml of total ink replaceable at .60 per ml. (You get almost $450.00 worth of ink with the printer)
With the R3000 you get 234 ml with the printer replaceable at $1.08 per ml.
Taking into account purchase price,reliability,the extra ink that comes with the printer plus the reduced cost per ml of the 3880 inks make this almost a no brainer.

Most if not all of the entry level printers I would classify as disposable. (Some of the bigger one too.)
Something goes wrong after warranty expiration they go in the dumpster.
With the cost of repair exceeding $100 per hour it just not pay to get these repaired now days.(Another very good reason to buy a proven model.)

A very satisfied 3800 and 3880 owner.
Title: Re: Epson R3000 how reliable
Post by: Rhossydd on February 14, 2014, 05:38:00 am
If piece of mind is what you are looking for all you have to do is spend $200+ more and get the proven realibility and cost savings of the 3880.
+1
The 38xx series is probably Epson's best printer series ever. You hardly ever read of a complaint about them, but there are huge numbers out there in all sorts of usage.
Title: Re: Epson R3000 how reliable
Post by: Farmer on February 14, 2014, 05:02:21 pm
True, but there seems to be more anecdotes about the R3000 failing mechanically than any other Epson printer I can remember. Not only that, but ownership levels don't seem to be as high as other models, so it seems to have a higher number of 'anecdotes' per unit than any other Epson printer out there. Maybe not definitive 'data', but an an indication that there's a problem there.

Where would we be with out all the 'anecdotes' of premature ink fading that was widely reported in the past ? If that hadn't been so widely and rightly criticised pigment inks might have taken a lot longer to hit the market. 

The plural of anecdote should probably be "reason to look for correlation".

How do you know the ownership levels are lower?  Where are you getting that information?  Of course people should highlight if they have issues, but it's important to avoid making unsustained assumptions.  Post hoc ergo propter hoc also comes to mind.

Maybe there is an overall problem, but it's important to look for facts rather than filling in with assumptions.
Title: Re: Epson R3000 how reliable
Post by: Rhossydd on February 14, 2014, 05:21:08 pm
How do you know the ownership levels are lower?  Where are you getting that information? 
A combination of how many people report using them on forums and how often I see customers of my profiling business using them.
Got any better insight ?
Title: Re: Epson R3000 how reliable
Post by: pikeys on February 14, 2014, 05:32:57 pm
A combination of how many people report using them on forums and how often I see customers of my profiling business using them.
Got any better insight ?

According to my repair man Ardito repair service,in LI,NY ..The R3000 is one of the biggest selling printers they make,especially when they are running a rebates/sales
Unfortunately,Epson won't/can't  address the issue about the ink drops on the paper-then it has to go back for service.
That being said,my next printer will most definitely be the 3880
Title: Re: Epson R3000 how reliable
Post by: Farmer on February 14, 2014, 05:36:40 pm
A combination of how many people report using them on forums and how often I see customers of my profiling business using them.
Got any better insight ?

No, but that doesn't make your figures more reliable as a result.

This printer is cheaper, smaller and targeted at a different level of consumer - most of whom probably have no knowledge of profiling or have decided they have no need.  I think it's a mistake to compare it to other Pro level printers and expect that you'll see a proportionate fraction through your business.

The cost of custom profiles versus the cost of the underlying hardware, for example, would have an effect, let alone (as mentioned above) the difference in basic customer profile.

I want to repeat that I'm in no way suggesting it shouldn't be discussed or that there shouldn't be any concerns, I'm just suggesting that, as always, it's better not to make assumptions but rather to simply acknowledge where there are holes in our understanding.
Title: Re: Epson R3000 how reliable
Post by: Rhossydd on February 14, 2014, 05:54:51 pm
No, but that doesn't make your figures more reliable as a result.
I'm not claiming any sort of reliability, just some actual numbers. Do you have any experience to add ?
Quote
The cost of custom profiles
Less than the price of an ink cart here. Price isn't an problem, awareness of the issue is the key factor.
Quote
....versus the cost of the underlying hardware, for example, would have an effect, let alone (as mentioned above) the difference in basic customer profile.
It's a big mistake to think that only users of professional type printers get custom profiles done. It continually surprises me how many people are using very low end printers, but still want custom profiles made.
Title: Re: Epson R3000 how reliable
Post by: Farmer on February 14, 2014, 07:43:51 pm
I'm not suggesting that they don't, but that it's not a good metric to compare different models.

My experience is that the product seems to be preferred at the lower end and by home aspirational users, as well as some Pros looking for a smaller unit, but far less.  The level of reports of issues seems no more or less than any other model that is in the view of places like this.

Beyond that, not much, which is why I'm not trying to draw conclusions :-)
Title: Re: Epson R3000 how reliable
Post by: Rhossydd on February 15, 2014, 04:41:41 am
The level of reports of issues seems no more or less than any other model that is in the view of places like this.
As the OP said, that's not really correct. The R3000 has greater number of reported failures than similar Epsons of the past. It also tends to be mechanical failures, rather than just the usual crop of problems with ink blockages that are less easy to blame on poor manufacture.

I've been using photo inkjets since the genre was invented by Epson. I've kept a close watch on reported problems, both out of personal and professional interest. Epson have made some great printers over the years, the R3000 isn't one of them.
Title: Re: Epson R3000 how reliable
Post by: Farmer on February 15, 2014, 04:25:06 pm
As the OP said, that's not really correct. The R3000 has greater number of reported failures than similar Epsons of the past.

Where and by whom?  That's the point.  Anecdote not data.
Title: Re: Epson R3000 how reliable
Post by: Rhossydd on February 15, 2014, 05:46:44 pm
Where and by whom?  That's the point.  Anecdote not data.
The reality is that "anecdote", as you choose to call reports on the web, is the only thing to go on. Epson are hardly likely to release credible data to suggest that one of their printers is less reliable than their normal standard, are they ? and there's no other reliable "data" in the public domain.
Or maybe we should all just buy things on the assumption that they will be perfect regardless of what's being written on the web because it's not 'data'.
Title: Re: Epson R3000 how reliable
Post by: pikeys on February 15, 2014, 05:55:37 pm
The reality is that "anecdote", as you choose to call reports on the web, is the only thing to go on. Epson are hardly likely to release credible data to suggest that one of their printers is less reliable than their normal standard, are they ? and there's no other reliable "data" in the public domain.
Or maybe we should all just buy things on the assumption that they will be perfect regardless of what's being written on the web because it's not 'data'.

+1 on this,this is why I choose to rely on info I got after speaking with my repairmen,for 2-3 hours,and the fact that their shop, had half a dozen Epson printers ,waiting for repair.
That IMHO,is reliable, factual DATA.
My repair bill had more factual data,as well.
Title: Re: Epson R3000 how reliable
Post by: Farmer on February 15, 2014, 07:41:16 pm
I've said numerous times that talking about experiences is important.  Pikeys' decision makes perfect sense.

Drawing further conclusions from a lack of data or deciding that a lack of data means that anecdotes are worthy of being escalated to data is fraught with the danger of being wrong.

Call it what it is, acknowledge you haven't anything better, and by all means make a decision.  Just don't call it something that it isn't, particularly based on very small sample sizes.
Title: Re: Epson R3000 how reliable
Post by: pikeys on February 15, 2014, 08:13:01 pm
I've said numerous times that talking about experiences is important.  Pikeys' decision makes perfect sense.

Drawing further conclusions from a lack of data or deciding that a lack of data means that anecdotes are worthy of being escalated to data is fraught with the danger of being wrong.

Call it what it is, acknowledge you haven't anything better, and by all means make a decision.  Just don't call it something that it isn't, particularly based on very small sample sizes.

This sounds like it turning into a Sherlock Holmes mystery
Anecdotes,,Fraud?
Who did it.?....the butler
Title: Re: Epson R3000 how reliable
Post by: Farmer on February 15, 2014, 08:35:38 pm
errr, "fraught" is not the same word as "fraud" :-)
Title: Re: Epson R3000 how reliable
Post by: pikeys on February 15, 2014, 08:57:49 pm
I bow to the senior member
+,you know a hell of a lot more about printers!than I do,but
These guys that run the repair shop,really knew their......*hit
Title: Re: Epson R3000 how reliable
Post by: Farmer on February 15, 2014, 09:01:36 pm
Oh, don't believe something I say just because I have more posts here!

And as I said, your decision makes perfect sense.  It's just a discussion about the broader application of experience versus extensive data is all :-)
Title: Re: Epson R3000 how reliable
Post by: PhotoEcosse on February 16, 2014, 09:19:34 am
I'm inclined to remind people that the plural of anecdote is not data.

Like that. Must remember it.

I can only comment on the basis of personal experience - about 27 months use of R3000 with no problems whatsoever. It just keeps running and I love the quality of print - especially for genuine cast-free B&W, which I could never quite achieve with the R1900 that I had previously.
Title: Re: Epson R3000 how reliable
Post by: KSonde on February 16, 2014, 01:47:33 pm

I can only comment on the basis of personal experience - about 27 months use of R3000 with no problems whatsoever. It just keeps running and I love the quality of print - especially for genuine cast-free B&W, which I could never quite achieve with the R1900 that I had previously.

Same with my 18 month old R3000. Absolutely no problems and produces beautiful prints with very little clogging, even though I don't print every week.

It would seem to me that without knowing how many of these printers have been sold, it is impossible to judge the printer by how many people may report a problem with theirs. What one needs is not the number of problem printers but the percentage based on the total number sold. Since we have no way of knowing how many have been sold, the number of complaints is totally without meaning. It may be 1 out of 1000 or 1 out of 10.

Just my $.02 worth.

Kurt
Title: Re: Epson R3000 how reliable
Post by: mkihne on February 16, 2014, 02:14:32 pm
+1, fwiw. Have had a R3000 for nearly two years without a clog or failure of any kind. Same with two 3880s, one set up with Cone B&W. (Now watch them all go to hell tomorrow) ;D
Title: Re: Epson R3000 how reliable
Post by: pikeys on February 16, 2014, 02:24:54 pm
+1, fwiw. Have had a R3000 for nearly two years without a clog or failure of any kind. Same with two 3880s, one set up with Cone B&W. (Now watch them all go to hell tomorrow) ;D

Shhhhhh!
Don't,s anything,....LOL
Title: Re: Epson R3000 how reliable
Post by: LeonD on February 18, 2014, 11:56:15 am
It would seem to me that without knowing how many of these printers have been sold, it is impossible to judge the printer by how many people may report a problem with theirs. What one needs is not the number of problem printers but the percentage based on the total number sold. Since we have no way of knowing how many have been sold, the number of complaints is totally without meaning. It may be 1 out of 1000 or 1 out of 10.

And common sense has entered the room.  Damn, I hate when that happens.   >:(
Title: Re: Epson R3000 how reliable
Post by: Raw shooter on February 18, 2014, 12:14:35 pm
R3000 has outstanding print quality - better than my 4880 for small paper jobs.

The reliability is horrible.  Caution purchasing the R3000 - short life cycle.
 
I am on my second in 2 years due to black ink leaking on prints.  Epson doesn't help with anything after one year and they are fully aware of the problem.
I feel a bit stupid for buying another, but the features work so well in my workflow- and nothing else fits yet.
Hope this helps add to the discussion.
Title: Re: Epson R3000 how reliable
Post by: pikeys on February 18, 2014, 12:23:47 pm
R3000 has outstanding print quality - better than my 4880 for small paper jobs.

The reliability is horrible.  Caution purchasing the R3000 - short life cycle.
 
I am on my second in 2 years due to black ink leaking on prints.  Epson doesn't help with anything after one year and they are fully aware of the problem.
I feel a bit stupid for buying another, but the features work so well in my workflow- and nothing else fits yet.
Hope this helps add to the discussion.


Question is:
Will you buy a third??

Which model/from other manufacturers,would you consider
If mine goes again,I'll more than likely up grade to the 3880,in the long run,it will cost me less in ink,and I'll be able to make 17inch prints.
Good Luck,

Mike
Title: Re: Epson R3000 how reliable
Post by: Raw shooter on February 18, 2014, 01:52:47 pm
Question is:
Will you buy a third??

Which model/from other manufacturers,would you consider
If mine goes again,I'll more than likely up grade to the 3880,in the long run,it will cost me less in ink,and I'll be able to make 17inch prints.
Good Luck,

Mike

I don't thinks so, not 3  ;D .  The 3880 isn't the same generation of Epson technology - and is more like my 4880.  With both the 3880 & the 4880, I have to actively soft proof through Photoshop.  The R3000, not so much.  The R3000 just has manufacturing defects, while the printer and the driver are more advanced - in my experience.
Title: Re: Epson R3000 how reliable
Post by: PharmGeek on February 19, 2014, 04:00:21 pm
hello, im new to this forum :)

I just ordered the R3000 last night after reading and reading and stuff...

I was concerned about reliability as well and considered cannon based on a personal survey of the anectodes I could find on the net.

I am always glad that people share personal experience....but being that I work in medicine, I am always so darn leary about anecdotes. 

What do they mean?  Can they give a person a sense about causation, reliability, etc? Its very difficult.

What I can say is that as I looked hard enough I found complaints and issues readily discussed with most printer models and the results of my own informal "meta-analysis" led me to a basic state of uncertainty about having any really strong ability to predict reliability for the printers I was considering (same ones discussed by OP).

No one knows really....there is no systematic data or proper sampling to my knowledge to truly assess this.  Anecdotes on amazon's website were mostly very good....but with a number of concerned individuals to perhaps give some pause...then on B&H site it seemed more uniformly good than amazon?  Why is that...we can only speculate? 

I honestly have no idea, but I hope the R3000 works out for me...I got a 2 year extended warranty because I was a bit spooked...hoping for no hassles....but if you read long enough on the net about printers it seems it is innevitable?

I am glad that folks share personal experience...it may be the best info we have to go on but it is a difficult thing though....

I dont feel terribly worried that most of these units are POS's as there is very sufficient positive anecdotes on the web on it to give some sense of "pretty good reliability and ease of use"...

That is my rationalization at this point anyway....

I will keep you all up to date on how it goes for me.

Take Care.
Title: Re: Epson R3000 how reliable
Post by: pikeys on February 19, 2014, 04:16:23 pm
hello, im new to this forum :)

I just ordered the R3000 last night after reading and reading and stuff...

I was concerned about reliability as well and considered cannon based on a personal survey of the anectodes I could find on the net.

I am always glad that people share personal experience....but being that I work in medicine, I am always so darn leary about anecdotes. 

What do they mean?  Can they give a person a sense about causation, reliability, etc? Its very difficult.

What I can say is that as I looked hard enough I found complaints and issues readily discussed with most printer models and the results of my own informal "meta-analysis" led me to a basic state of uncertainty about having any really strong ability to predict reliability for the printers I was considering (same ones discussed by OP).

No one knows really....there is no systematic data or proper sampling to my knowledge to truly assess this.  Anecdotes on amazon's website were mostly very good....but with a number of concerned individuals to perhaps give some pause...then on B&H site it seemed more uniformly good than amazon?  Why is that...we can only speculate? 

I honestly have no idea, but I hope the R3000 works out for me...I got a 2 year extended warranty because I was a bit spooked...hoping for no hassles....but if you read long enough on the net about printers it seems it is innevitable?

I am glad that folks share personal experience...it may be the best info we have to go on but it is a difficult thing though....

I dont feel terribly worried that most of these units are POS's as there is very sufficient positive anecdotes on the web on it to give some sense of "pretty good reliability and ease of use"...

That is my rationalization at this point anyway....

I will keep you all up to date on how it goes for me.

Take Care.

IMHO,you bought one of the best printers Epson makes,also,you were wise in getting the extended warranty,I did not-big mistake.
I have owned Epson printers ,for the last 12 years
Its a good idea to follow this thread,the more you learn,the less problems you might? have,or avoid.
There are some great guys on this forum,and most of them really know their stuff.

One tip ---if you don't plan on printing for an extended period of time,say 2-3 weeks or longer ,,run a print though the printer,anything doesn't have to be a photo,web page?
Hopefully,some of the more senior members ,will chime in here ,and give you more pointers
Good Luck & congratulations,

Mike


Title: Re: Epson R3000 how reliable
Post by: PharmGeek on February 19, 2014, 07:21:50 pm
Thanks!

I have read pointers how you should power it up often to mix the ink and print ?weekly? If in a state of dormancy or non use

Besides doing a lot of stuff for my own walls and such - I plan on joining a local club that has been around a while and it is print only display

Printing now has pointed out many flaws in my photography - having fun learning and improving (I hope)
Title: Re: Epson R3000 how reliable
Post by: pikeys on February 19, 2014, 08:07:42 pm
Thanks!

I have read pointers how you should power it up often to mix the ink and print ?weekly? If in a state of dormancy or non use

Besides doing a lot of stuff for my own walls and such - I plan on joining a local club that has been around a while and it is print only display

Printing now has pointed out many flaws in my photography - having fun learning and improving (I hope)

My repair men,suggested for me to leave the printer on{unless your going on vacation,or will be gone for a long period},,- it goes through some light cleaning cycle,and this uses ink.,so..?
I have not verified this,but,I followed all his suggestions
My printer was repaired about 3 weeks ago.....Ardito Repair ,in LI,NY..I was out of warranty..cost me...ouch!!

 
When you get delivery,call Epson,make sure you have the latest driver & firmware
If I , think of more ideas/suggestions,I'll post back
Hope this helps.

Mike

Title: Re: Epson R3000 how reliable
Post by: PharmGeek on February 20, 2014, 02:04:35 pm
huge help....proactive ideas based on actual experience gotta help.

I will leave it on...I think it goes into some sort of sleep mode at some point....ill probably read the manual in full cause I am always a geek like that....it is painful though.

Ill post back any of my experience...sorry to hear about your repair issues, ugh...
Title: Re: Epson R3000 how reliable
Post by: philbaum on March 04, 2014, 12:53:40 pm
I've had my R3000 for 15 months now (gee, is this how it feels at an AA meeting???)

i've done a lot of canvas printing on it and sold about 80 prints over the last year.

Am amazed at the fine detail of the r3000, and the roll feed built into the machine works quite well - only used for canvas rolls so far.  I go thru a 20' roll like you wouldn't believe.  Recently bought a 3880 because you can buy 40' rolls for them and cut them into sheets - larger print size.

Had a problem with clogs on the 3000 the last few months, that is, when i could come back after not using the printer for a few days, it would not pass a nozzle check.  Found i could clean the nozzles easily with 3 or 4 nozzle checks, or if needed a "cleaning".  Finally found a youtube video by Jose R.  that showed how to clean the purge pad /capping station by carefully inserting an ink cleaning solution or windex, and then blotting it out with bounty brand paper towels. 

After i did the purge pad cleaning several times, the 3000 now passes nozzle checks again with no difficulty, even after leaving it for a week with no activity. 

If you're going to buy a professional quality grade printer - learn how to maintain it, and that includes cleaning the purge pad area (as i have learned) on a regular basis.  There are all sorts of videos to explain this maintenance on youtube and at third party ink suppliers like inkjetmall.  Lots of waste ink goes thru the purge pad on a regular basis, i.e. everytime you change the type of black ink, and also anytime you do nozzle cleaning - that all goes thru the purge pad.  Cleaning the purge pad on a regular basis helps prevent clogs and ink drops on media.

best wishes

Title: Re: Epson R3000 how reliable
Post by: 250swb on April 18, 2014, 11:30:16 am
I've got to say that not all of the 'if you do this it will work' advice rings true from my experience. After all, if an Epson techie can't get a printer running who can?

Sure enough my R3000 ran reliably for over two years, some heavy use, some infrequent use, but it would always switch on and print and only once needed a nozzle clean. Then it stopped printing black, one print it was OK, the next nothing. Still under an extended warranty Epson came and collected it and replaced it with a newly refurbished machine, and it took the techie two hours of nozzle cleaning to get the replacement running, and again it was the black ink. This machine ran well for a fortnight, then yet again the black stopped printing, so the techie arrives with another 'new' machine complete with workshop test prints and everything, and again the techie couldn't get the black to print. After sloshing another £200 worth of ink through the machine it finally worked. Until last week.

Now while Epson used some of their own ink in the cleaning, in between when it needs doing a number of times before I'm justified in ringing the Help Desk it's my ink. And it comes to the point when the cost of the wasted ink is greater than the cost of the machine. So I bought a Canon printer, and I have an R3000 waiting for a cure, for somebody from Epson to tell me what can be done about it. Oh, and the funny thing is, it's now out of warranty  :D

Steve