So the new Epson Printers are finally here

[aaronchan]

P6000 and P8000
http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/jsp/Pro/SeriesSureColorP6000P8000/Overview.do?UseCookie=yes

P7000 and P9000
http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/jsp/Pro/SeriesSureColorP7000P9000/Overview.do?UseCookie=yes

So, still 11 inks with 10 channels only which mean PK and MK still need to e swapped.
The P6&8000 is a K3 inkset machine just like the P600&P800

And the P7&9000 are the replacement of the 7900 and 9900 with new black and yellow which adopted from the P800 series, I assume.
Also you can replace the LLK cart with the brand new Violet ink cart, which they claim it will increase the gamut size and could match up to 99% of the pantone system.

aaron

[Czornyj]

While the new inkset is noticeably better, there's nothing to write home about new Px000 printers...

[aaronchan]

While the new inkset is noticeably better, there's nothing to write home about new Px000 printers...

actually couple hours ago, they took them off from the product page, now they are back.
So I'm guessing they are still working on the page.

Also, the 64" model is not out yet, and I've heard the rummor about the new design of it.
My dealer said the new 64" printer will apdot the design of the surecolor s series to eliminate the waving movement during the printing.
And also, since the 11880 doesn't have a black swap thing. wondering if the new model would do the same thing or not.

aaron

[iCanvas]

The advertisement seems to indicate that there is a new print head and new inks which may address clogging issues so maybe there is hope. I printed this morning from my 9900 and had to do two cleanings before printing. That's about $10.00 in ink according to the calculations done by a previous post on the issue. On a regular basis I have to do two cleanings. If I print in the morning, two cleanings, and if I print again in the afternoon, I have to do a cleaning. I live in a very humid environment in Pittsburgh, PA. I have had the printer for five years and recently had the capping station replaced. I will wait for reviews on the P9000.

Gar

[Ken Doo]

Small itsy bitsy teeney weeney print on the pdf says that the "proofing edition" (violet ink swap) is not intended for photo printing.  Other small print says once initialized, the ink configuration is permanent.  Um, ok.

Other small print is that these printers are not intended for use by "Third Party Inks"---meaning we want to preserve the world's best business model by selling liquid gold.    I'll wait a bit before delving in, but my back is hurting already thinking about whoever designed the horrible stand on the previous generation---balancing the weight of the entire printer and then trying to set it down centered on a miniscule singular bolt...

Ok, Jon Cone----- let's see what you can do with these printers and K7 B&W Piezography! 

[provatebydesign]

Totally underwhelmed from a photographers point of view. Same head technology and factory tech only mount, basically the same inks, it seems the only difference is the roll paper cover gets a black finish on the 7000/9000 compared to the regular silver on the 6000/8000.

My 7900 died after 264 prints, my 4900 I had to take the head off and clean it myself (but it works again) with 1294 prints, I'll see what Canon bring to the table with the iPF6400 replacement, but that is most likely where I am headed.

[cybis]

From the published info the only change I noticed from the x900 and x890 is the new ink set. The new printers seem to be using the exact same printhead and ink delivery system. They finally removed the claim that 'clogged nozzles are virtually eliminated' and replaced it with 'reduced nozzle clogging'. There is a new option for an automatic cleaning routine to occur periodically every 6 to 60 hours...

[aaronchan]

One of the thing I'm thinking about is:
IF your x900 or X890 is working flawlessly,
get a full set of refillable ink cart,
buy the new ink for P9000,
cut them up and pour them into the old machine,
re-profile everything
da dang! There is your P9000!

aaron

[provatebydesign]

Why go to that trouble? Just rechip the X000 cartridges to X900 cartridges and make your profiles, I'll wager the cartridges are essentially the same.

[Czornyj]

One of the thing I'm thinking about is:
IF your x900 or X890 is working flawlessly,
get a full set of refillable ink cart,
buy the new ink for P9000,
cut them up and pour them into the old machine,
re-profile everything
da dang! There is your P9000!

aaron

I'm 99% sure there are new LUTs with different ink mixing curves, color printing order etc. It's supposed to have new pronting head, so screening may also be different. All in all I'm afraid it's not that simple.

[provatebydesign]

I strongly suspect you give Epson too much credit.

They had several major issues to work on and it seems they are highlighting having worked on none of them.

• The head is not user replaceable.
• The head is the same basic design with the fundamental flaws that design has.
• The print head does not have any redundant mapping capability, one blocked nozzle and you get stripes. For low to mid volume use that has proven to be largely unworkable for many owners.
• The MK and PK inks still share the same nozzles, swap at your peril and cost.

   

Mind you I don't think it will be worth the effort trying to use the 'new' inks in the old machines, the difference in gamut will be indiscernible 99.9% of the time to 99.9% of viewers.

[JRSmit]

I strongly suspect you give Epson too much credit.

They had several major issues to work on and it seems they are highlighting having worked on none of them.

• The head is not user replaceable.
• The head is the same basic design with the fundamental flaws that design has.
• The print head does not have any redundant mapping capability, one blocked nozzle and you get stripes. For low to mid volume use that has proven to be largely unworkable for many owners.
• The MK and PK inks still share the same nozzles, swap at your peril and cost.

   

Mind you I don't think it will be worth the effort trying to use the 'new' inks in the old machines, the difference in gamut will be indiscernible 99.9% of the time to 99.9% of viewers.

Sound like just an opinion. Please substantiate.

[provatebydesign]

The photo of the head is the same design as the previous head, which means it is the same tech and the same mount, which means it is not user replaceable.

The head has the same number of nozzles and no mention of being able to map around blocked jets.

The MK and PK still share the same nozzles, it is a ten ink printer with eleven cartridges, even the new violet ink replaces the LLK from the 'photographers' version.

Those points cover the basic design flaws of the Epson heads in the x900 series.

Those are facts.

I own a 7900 and a 4900 and can fairly reasonably predict that nothing has changed here. That is my opinion.

[patjoja]

I'm in the market for a wide format printer, and have literally only been a few keystrokes away from pulling the trigger on a 9900. 

After reading all the comments above, and all the media content out there right now, I'm still thinking I may be better off picking up a 9900 now, while they're still on sale, rather than waiting several months on the P9000 and paying more for it.  I can't see a whole lot of difference between the 9900 and the P9000 for my use as a photographer.

The only thing that might dissuade me is if I knew for certain that the clogging issue was improved with the P9000 or that inks and maintenance would no longer be available on the 9900.

Patrick

[iCanvas]

Here is an interesting read by Imaging resource:

http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2015/09/14/epsons-new-large-format-printers-blacker-blacks-and-less-ink-waste

Seems as if Epson has taken some cues from Canon.

Gar

[deanwork]

Looks like they improved the longevity of the yellow ink, which is long over due and finally catches up with Canon.

Other than that I'll be you the only people they care about it designers getting closer to 100% of the Pantone gamut.

I'll bet you the pressurized ink carts are even more complicated, which is hard to imagine. They are doing everything they can to keep third party inks out. Every generation they get closer to doing that and they might be there this time. That is their main interest.

john

[Paul2660]

I'm in the market for a wide format printer, and have literally only been a few keystrokes away from pulling the trigger on a 9900. 

After reading all the comments above, and all the media content out there right now, I'm still thinking I may be better off picking up a 9900 now, while they're still on sale, rather than waiting several months on the P9000 and paying more for it.  I can't see a whole lot of difference between the 9900 and the P9000 for my use as a photographer.

The only thing that might dissuade me is if I knew for certain that the clogging issue was improved with the P9000 or that inks and maintenance would no longer be available on the 9900.

Patrick

As far the ink, you can still buy ink for the 7600/9600 family and get them maintained, so the 9900 will have supplies for a while yet.

Paul

[Benny Profane]

How long does the collective think the 7900/9900 machines will be on sale after these new machines come on line? The 7880/9880 were around for awhile.

[provatebydesign]

I'm in the market for a wide format printer, and have literally only been a few keystrokes away from pulling the trigger on a 9900. 

After reading all the comments above, and all the media content out there right now, I'm still thinking I may be better off picking up a 9900 now, while they're still on sale, rather than waiting several months on the P9000 and paying more for it.  I can't see a whole lot of difference between the 9900 and the P9000 for my use as a photographer.

The only thing that might dissuade me is if I knew for certain that the clogging issue was improved with the P9000 or that inks and maintenance would no longer be available on the 9900.

Patrick

Patrick, Unless you are going to print at least three times a week, not just nozzle checks, don't do it. If you are then there are 9900 deals out there for less than $2,000 for low use fully working models. Heck I know where there is an unused, never ink charged, one for $3,000. If you are not going to print at least three times a week look at the Canon's, I have two x900 series printers and both have been nothing but trouble for low volume photo work.

[patjoja]

What is the best resource for finding used gear?

Thanks for the advise on printer usage.  Clogs and fiddling are my top fears on getting a big printer.  I love my 3880 and wish there were something like that for bigger prints.

Patrick