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Author Topic: Feedback on epson 7900?  (Read 11628 times)

cdicarlo

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Feedback on epson 7900?
« on: January 27, 2010, 04:15:02 pm »

I have followed the discussion on the epson 7900 for some months now, and with great interest, as I've wanted a 24" printer for some time.  I understand the problems with the ANC and that the firmware addresses the over-zealous cleaning problem, which is best done manually with nozzle patterns, etc.  It's a work around for a feature that sounded like a good idea, and I can work with that.    But is the high incidence of "clogs"-- or air in the nozzles resulting from a lack of pressure-- something that continues to annoy users?  Reading the anecdotal evidence on this forum makes me feel that it is a fairly problematic design flaw.  Or are there any users of the 7900 who have not had frequent problems with this issue?   My intended usage is not heavy duty, more like several times a month.

Great forum, many thanks for consideration,
Candace
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dgberg

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Feedback on epson 7900?
« Reply #1 on: January 28, 2010, 06:53:09 am »

Candace,
I have both models the 7900 and 9900. Although I do have a business I probably only print with each printer once a week. The first month after the purchase of my 7900 (Dec,08) I had a service call because of a cleaning issue. That cleared up most of my problems. After the lastest firmware upgrade and I believe it was this past summer I have been printing with no issues whatsoever. I turn the printer off between uses and do a powerup and nozzle printout at least once a week if I have no printing for that week. seems to do the trick and the output of both units are stunning. Highly recommended!
« Last Edit: January 28, 2010, 06:53:31 am by Dan Berg »
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Scott O.

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Feedback on epson 7900?
« Reply #2 on: January 28, 2010, 12:04:42 pm »

My comments pretty much echo what Dan has said.  I got mine, did some printing, and the next day had some clogs.  I was thinking bleep bleep!  After turning off the auto clog checking, turning off the printer when not used, and printing something (clog check pattern, test pattern, or some such) every few days I have had absolutely no issues and really like the printer.  Doesn't sound like clog issues are exclusive to Epson.  I suspect we hear more about them since there are probably more Epson printers in use.

cdicarlo

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Feedback on epson 7900?
« Reply #3 on: January 28, 2010, 04:08:41 pm »

[quote name='Dan Berg' date='Jan 28 2010, 06:53 AM' post='343014']
 I had a service call because of a cleaning issue. .... Highly recommended!

Dan,
This is very good to hear.  Do you have ANC turned off like most 7900 users?  I'm also curious about your original "cleaning issue."  Was it related to the ANC?
Candace
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cdicarlo

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Feedback on epson 7900?
« Reply #4 on: January 28, 2010, 04:21:21 pm »

[quote name='soberle' date='Jan 28 2010, 12:04 PM' post='343086']
 I have had absolutely no issues and really like the printer....  Doesn't sound like clog issues are exclusive to Epson.

Thank you for the reply, this is also good to hear.  I'm not expecting zero clog issues.  I've been using smaller format (up to 17") Epson printers for 5 years, only experiencing occasional clogging.  And thanks to Arthur Entlich's wonderful manual, I've learned to work on the printers myself when  there is a problem.   There did seem to be an unusual amount of discussion on this forum regarding the 7900's ink maintenance, so I was/am curious to hear from owners whose printers don't have those issues.   And THX for the tip about printing a nozzle check every few days.

Candace  
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dchew

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Feedback on epson 7900?
« Reply #5 on: January 28, 2010, 07:55:48 pm »

I have a 7900, but only for 2 months.  Love the prints, how easy it is to load, and several other features.  

I don't have an issue (yet) with frequent clogs or cleaning. I do plan to turn off auto clean, however.  Simply because that is what most people recommend, and I print about once or twice per week, so I just do a manual check when I turn it on, then print away...

Dave
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gmerrell

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Feedback on epson 7900?
« Reply #6 on: January 28, 2010, 09:43:56 pm »

I have had an Epson 7800 for about 2 years and a 7900 for about 1 month. I would occasionally have a slight nozzle clog on the 7800 after a long period of inactivity. The 7800 is a great printer and real work horse.

The 7900 is a vast improved printer. So far I have had no clogs or problems of any kind. I highly recommend the 7900 if you need a printer this wide.


Greg

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DeanChriss

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Feedback on epson 7900?
« Reply #7 on: January 29, 2010, 06:10:17 am »

I've had a 7900 for just over a year and I don't regret it. I have not seen a clog since the last firmware update in early November 2009 even though the printer sat powered off for a two week period and a three week period with several days between uses otherwise. Before that update I'd categorize the clogging problem as a nuisance, not a deal breaker. And as others have said, the print quality is simply outstanding.
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dgberg

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Feedback on epson 7900?
« Reply #8 on: January 29, 2010, 07:01:42 am »

Candice,
Yes ANC is still turned off. We never isolated the origional problem at the service call. The tech replaced quite a few parts and whatever he did it worked.
The nozzle check is a really good idea to run before printing as it uses only about 3" of paper and almost no ink. The only time I clean at all is if the nozzle check shows a clog.
« Last Edit: January 29, 2010, 07:03:08 am by Dan Berg »
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Chris Gilroy

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Feedback on epson 7900?
« Reply #9 on: January 29, 2010, 06:59:17 pm »

As a Technician that worked primarily with Epson 7600/9600 series printers, I think the 7900/9900 series spoils me a bit. The old Epsons uses a fabric capping pad and didnt have pressurized ink systems, so they dried up quickly and resulted in frequent nozzle clogs. With the new printers most of this has been addressed. Keep in mind, of course, that with inkjets keeping the head "wet" and keeping a small amount of ink flow on a regular basis is the nature of the beast. I will say, for the most part, it's rare a business spends $5k on a machine they dont intend to use. In addition, I think there's a lot of mystery around how much ink a regular clean cycle actually uses. The forums can give the impression that these printers leak money, which is far from the truth. In reality, a standard clean cycle pushes just a couple mililters of ink through the head. At $0.32 per mil (depending on what supplier you use of course) I would say this cost you around $6. I'm not saying spending $6 every two months is nothing, but I think the general fear around cleaning is that hundreds of dollars are being wasted.

There are several tech tips that can be helpful when dealing with old Epsons, as well as instructions for upgrading the firmware on the new Epson 7900/9900 HERE
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Steven Draper

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Feedback on epson 7900?
« Reply #10 on: January 30, 2010, 12:04:49 am »

I have a 7900 and generally have 1 or 2 print sessions per week, although left it for a month recently

No major problems, and a nozzle check prior to a big print and paired cleaning is all I need to do. With ANC on it was getting through a couple of colours very quick. I do try and remember to switch it off!

The print quality has elevated my images to a completely new level from the B9180 I was using.


My only gremlin is that the low ink light starts flashing very early and way before you need to change the cartridge - and with at least one ink low that means the light is always flashing. If anyone knows how to turn it off it would be great!


Steven
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Ryan Grayley

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Feedback on epson 7900?
« Reply #11 on: January 30, 2010, 07:02:49 am »

Quote from: Chris Gilroy
As a Technician that worked primarily with Epson 7600/9600 series printers, I think the 7900/9900 series spoils me a bit. The old Epsons uses a fabric capping pad and didnt have pressurized ink systems, so they dried up quickly and resulted in frequent nozzle clogs.

I bought an Epson 9600 when it first came out and to this day I am still impressed by the infrequent nozzle clogs.
Not so my 7900. My 7900 is located next to my 9600 yet it clogs all the time. My ANC never worked properly so it remains switched off. It also randomly fails to print the whole of the cyan channel even during a print run. But now I don't have any of these 7900 hassles because most of the time the printer won't even initialise when I switch it on. I am just glad I also have a Z3200 as it has been trouble free in the year that I have had it.
« Last Edit: January 30, 2010, 07:03:32 am by Ionaca »
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Ryan Grayley BA IEng MIET ARPS
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fjmcsu

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Feedback on epson 7900?
« Reply #12 on: January 30, 2010, 10:29:23 am »

Quote from: Ionaca
I bought an Epson 9600 when it first came out and to this day I am still impressed by the infrequent nozzle clogs.
Not so my 7900. My 7900 is located next to my 9600 yet it clogs all the time. My ANC never worked properly so it remains switched off. It also randomly fails to print the whole of the cyan channel even during a print run. But now I don't have any of these 7900 hassles because most of the time the printer won't even initialise when I switch it on. I am just glad I also have a Z3200 as it has been trouble free in the year that I have had it.
I had similar experience comparing 7600 to 7900;it seemed for a while the 7900 had"settled down"(had it since October 09), now suddenly even after a day or two idle a channel will be completely blank. Usually clears with CL 1 cleaning although the other day it took 3- CL1's & one CL 2 to clear! I do not use ANC either!
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cdicarlo

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Feedback on epson 7900?
« Reply #13 on: January 30, 2010, 02:17:49 pm »

[quote name='Steven Draper' date='Jan 30 2010, 12:04 AM' post='343495']

 With ANC on it was getting through a couple of colours very quick. I do try and remember to switch it off!

Steve,
I would have thought that once it was turned off-- it was OFF.  Are you saying that EACH time the printer is turned on, one has to disable ANC?
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cdicarlo

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Feedback on epson 7900?
« Reply #14 on: January 30, 2010, 02:32:33 pm »

Quote from: Ionaca
But now I don't have any of these 7900 hassles because most of the time the printer won't even initialise when I switch it on.

Over the past year you, along with Wayne, have reported some of the most problematic issues with the 7900, and it's the reason I've delayed my purchase and posted my original question.  Do you believe that you got a lemon?  

B&H in NYC is offering an extended warranty for the printer through Sage Protection ($325./extra 2 years) which is half the price of the Epson extended warranty.  I haven't spoken to them yet, but plan to do so.  Wonder if anyone has had experience with them?  Here's their website for those interested:   www.sagemaxprotectionplan.com
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cdicarlo

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Feedback on epson 7900?
« Reply #15 on: January 30, 2010, 02:44:32 pm »

Quote from: Chris Gilroy
The old Epsons uses a fabric capping pad and didnt have pressurized ink systems, so they dried up quickly and resulted in frequent nozzle clogs. With the new printers most of this has been addressed.

This is interesting.  Some people seem to think that some of the 7900 clogging is due to a lack of pressure in the nozzles.  Any thoughts?
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BobDavid

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Feedback on epson 7900?
« Reply #16 on: January 31, 2010, 03:15:30 pm »

My 9900 clogs a lot more than my 9800 and 7800 ever did.
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BobDavid

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« Reply #17 on: January 31, 2010, 03:35:23 pm »

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« Last Edit: February 01, 2010, 08:58:20 pm by BobDavid »
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ghaynes754

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Feedback on epson 7900?
« Reply #18 on: January 31, 2010, 10:50:19 pm »

ANC stays off once you set it to off.  No need to do it after a power up/power down cycle.

I also run a nozzle check as suggested by Dan.  I do my on a sheet of regular paper rather than running 3 inches of canvas.  If I find clogs I run a standard cleaning on the channel pair and flip the sheet of paper around for a second test (no sense in only using one end of the papaer   )  I also cut off the tests, labe the date and time and file them in an envelope.  That way I have a history if ever needed by service.
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Ryan Grayley

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« Reply #19 on: February 01, 2010, 04:06:00 am »

Quote from: ghaynes754
I also run a nozzle check as suggested by Dan.  I do my on a sheet of regular paper rather than running 3 inches of canvas.  If I find clogs I run a standard cleaning on the channel pair and flip the sheet of paper around for a second test (no sense in only using one end of the papaer   )  I also cut off the tests, labe the date and time and file them in an envelope.  That way I have a history if ever needed by service.

I also keep my nozzle check prints but as well as the date, I write down the temperature and humidity too.
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