Epson 9890 going way south - better option printer?

[toddwms]

Have had the Epson 9890 now for a few years. I am an occasional user, know the risks. i'm a photo artist, usually maintain a cleaning on a 1 month periodic scale, with random #s of prints in between or not.

I have recently had a middle fifth of the yellow channel fritz out on me. Not a usual clogged nozzle, etc. No amount of cleaning, Windex or otherwise has made a change. The fritz looks like a mini explosion, I'm resigned to failure here.

Also - I am finding recently that my occasional use is handing me a mass of channels w/ most of the middle block missing in the print check, and needing to do one extreme cleaning to bring the ink back - air leak and pumping station? I dunno.

Most common consideration would be a print head replacement - OUCH! - just to begin with, that kind of money would seem to start one thinking of printer replacement. And I say that w/ the new and added knowledge that I also have black ink mini spiking out the side of the print instead of maintaining a sharp clean edge.

I am also just experiencing a top and bottom banded smudge like band of around ¼" that is 1 1/16" in from top and bottom in letter sized portrait print. If I print closer to top and bottom edges, this band is nonetheless 1 1/16" - weird. I am beginning to imagine motherboard problems? Don't really know - just an intuitive guess.

Wow - can you imagine all this happening? Maybe you can. Epson?

So with all this happening, I'm wondering - do I want the cost of Epson fumbling around w/ solutions to my variety of problems, and get a "possibly" fixed machine for close to the cost of a new machine plus-or-minus. Or are there any thoughts on a better new replacement machine - Epson or Canon? Is the P series any better than my SP series printer?

- Thanks to anyone wanting to tackle this posting....

[BrianWJH]

Hi, the cleaning cycle probably needs to be more frequent i.e. at a minimum every 2nd-3rd day do a nozzle check and at least once a week do a print, depending on your environmental conditions, dry weather and low humidity are not kind to these printers and necessitate more frequent prints (test images like bill's balls and others can be found in this printing forum).

Have a look at this video which shows how to clean the print head, worth trying.

Brian.

[toddwms]

Hi, the cleaning cycle probably needs to be more frequent i.e. at a minimum every 2nd-3rd day do a nozzle check and at least once a week do a print, depending on your environmental conditions, dry weather and low humidity are not kind to these printers and necessitate more frequent prints (test images like bill's balls and others can be found in this printing forum).

Have a look at this video which shows how to clean the print head, worth trying.

Brian.

Thanks for the reply Brian. I've had the 9890 for 6 years. My problems w/ it are within last 3 months and seemed to have multiplied in complexity. I have read some in-depth fixits when the yellow looked most irretrievable and pulled back from what the adviser cautioned were possible end-of-printhead, i.e. fried, procedures. Now that my troubles appear to be beyond yellow channel failure, the cost benefit to get the printer fixed appear to be negligible.

I guess what I'm really wondering is what direction to turn now. I'm not particularly interested in leaving the Epson hemisphere. Is the P8000 a better design against clogging? Though I've always disliked the appearance of the Canon machines (gawd they're ugly), is there a strong enough reason to head their direction.

So that's really what I'm about. ALSO what route do I go w/ getting rid of my current beast? Can't stand the idea adding it to the landfill.

Thanks again Brian for your helpful comment.

Todd

[Larry451]

Hi,  I've have used epsons for many many years... 7000 + 7600 + 7900 + 7890 ..  Last year I jumped ship and bought a 44" HP  Z3200  with the spectrometer..  It is a great printer + print heads are less than $200 Canadian.
I'm hoping my long term usage will outlast the epsons..... time will tell.
regards
Larry.

[toddwms]

Hi,  I've have used epsons for many many years... 7000 + 7600 + 7900 + 7890 ..  Last year I jumped ship and bought a 44" HP  Z3200  with the spectrometer..  It is a great printer + print heads are less than $200 Canadian.
I'm hoping my long term usage will outlast the epsons..... time will tell.
regards
Larry.

Hey thanks Larry. I didn't consider HP, I'll look into that one. I also have years of Epson printers. And now w/ current problems I want to stick my head up and take a look around, thanks for the tip. WOW - print heads for $200, only wishing Epson was anywhere near that close.
- Todd

[mearussi]

When you start losing whole sections of the color channel that means the head is going and there's nothing you can do to fix it (I lost my 9900 the same way). They're too spendy to repair ($2,000+) with only a small warranty if you do and no guarantee how long it will last so I just junked mine.

A new printer is your best bet. After losing three Epsons I switched to Canon and am much happier.

[toddwms]

When you start losing whole sections of the color channel that means the head is going and there's nothing you can do to fix it (I lost my 9900 the same way). They're too spendy to repair ($2,000+) with only a small warranty if you do and no guarantee how long it will last so I just junked mine.

A new printer is your best bet. After losing three Epsons I switched to Canon and am much happier.

Sorry to get back to this conversation so late - and yes, that's pretty much my conclusion as well - just too much money to fix, especially w/ new issues at hand besides the yellow channel explosion.

If you happen to touch in again, which Canon did you get? I did read an article that the Canon printer heads have really gone up in cost as well, is that true?

Thanks for touching in.

Have looked at replacing w/ yet another Epson, hmmmmmm. had my 9890 for 6 years, roughly $500/year, and a lot of good personal printing memories. Just what value can be put to the lack of longevity? (lemmesee - other than cost of ink - the printer comes to $1 & change /day)

-Todd

[dgberg]

My 9900 was purchased in 2010 and the head went bad in 2017. I did replace it along with a leaky left ink bay and the docking station to the tune of $3100. I had in stock a 5 year supply of K3 inks for my refillable K3 printers,9900,9890 and 3880. There are reasons to fix and this is one of them.
Last summer the 9890 head went and I replaced it with the P8000. A much faster printer and it clogs a whole lot less then the others.

[mearussi]

Sorry to get back to this conversation so late - and yes, that's pretty much my conclusion as well - just too much money to fix, especially w/ new issues at hand besides the yellow channel explosion.

If you happen to touch in again, which Canon did you get? I did read an article that the Canon printer heads have really gone up in cost as well, is that true?

Thanks for touching in.

Have looked at replacing w/ yet another Epson, hmmmmmm. had my 9890 for 6 years, roughly $500/year, and a lot of good personal printing memories. Just what value can be put to the lack of longevity? (lemmesee - other than cost of ink - the printer comes to $1 & change /day)

-Todd

I bought a used Canon ipf6400 both for its price and ink display longevity (as compared to the new Canons). And even though the heads do have to be replaced periodically, I determined the ink cost of having to constantly clean the Epson heads was even more expensive over the same time frame. I'm now looking for a good used ipf8300 or ipf8400.

[Wayne Fox]

No amount of cleaning, Windex or otherwise has made a change.

Again with the Windex.  Windex will kill the heads.  Never use it.  Tons of discussion about this over the last several years.  Sounds like the head may have already had a problem so not a big deal.

As far as a replacement, the new generation of Epson printers has proven to be better about missing nozzles and need to clean, and I’ve seen very few cases of a head needing replaced after being around for over 3 years now. As with any brand, there are exceptions, and I’ve seen rare cases of all three brands of printers having issues early on, but really they are rare. (unfortunately a lemon gets through for every company out there once in a while).

I have a p5000 and p9000 and both have been nice improvements over the previous generation.  The new black inks are definitely better, and the new yellow has made a big change in longevity. I really like the p9000. After 3 years I’m still on the original maintenance tanks, so not a lot of ink used to keep the nozzles operating.

HP printers are long known for their lack of issues, not much negative.  Some reviews on their new printer are really positive.

Canon’s new printers took a step backwards in longevity, not sure what’s up with that.  Still a great printer, guess the longevity thing is something each person has to decide for themselves.

I think it really comes down to other factors now, such as paper handling, types of paper that can be used, need for matt black ink frequently, etc.  All three produce incredible prints.

[toddwms]

Wayne - thanx for your reply. And yes, only used Windex and then a cleaner fluid from Inkjet Mall, both to no avail whatsoever. Also read much from Eric on his myx900 website, taking alllll his precautions to heart. My yellow channel never improved and basically looked like it took a hard projectile hit, and my black was experiencing a different issue - etc. etc. Other problems are escalating, repairs certainly don't seem financially viable considering the cost of a new machine at this point.

So thank you for giving a balanced perspective about the 3 common printer options, and particularly your experience w/ your P9000 being an improvement so far. I think that's what I was most interested in knowing. I still like Epson for whatever familiar reasons. Unfortunately I just missed the $1000 rebate season at B&H (and everywhere I'm assuming). I think I can wait till rebates come around again - have a nicely running P800 that can certainly do good service for most needs.

Thank you for your reply.
-Todd

[toddwms]

My 9900 was purchased in 2010 and the head went bad in 2017. I did replace it along with a leaky left ink bay and the docking station to the tune of $3100. I had in stock a 5 year supply of K3 inks for my refillable K3 printers,9900,9890 and 3880. There are reasons to fix and this is one of them.
Last summer the 9890 head went and I replaced it with the P8000. A much faster printer and it clogs a whole lot less then the others.

I'm leaning towards the P8000 as well Dan. And appreciate hearing from you and Wayne regarding good feeling so far w/ that machine. I had about the same years of service w/ my 9890 as you had w/ your 9900. My problems have become too numerous to fix, and I am out of supply of inks - can only hope to find a rebate deal for the P8000 again relatively soon - just missed this last one by a day (though I don't have cash in hand just yet anyway).

Thanks for your input.

[toddwms]

I bought a used Canon ipf6400 both for its price and ink display longevity (as compared to the new Canons). And even though the heads do have to be replaced periodically, I determined the ink cost of having to constantly clean the Epson heads was even more expensive over the same time frame. I'm now looking for a good used ipf8300 or ipf8400.

From what I'm hearing, the clogging issues w/ Epson latest printers appear to be improved. Am looking at the Canons, realize I'm still favoring Epson after all these years of familiarity. One more Epson? Probably. But thanks for sharing your experience w/ me. Until I actually pull the trigger I'll likely keep looking and listening....

[mearussi]

From what I'm hearing, the clogging issues w/ Epson latest printers appear to be improved. Am looking at the Canons, realize I'm still favoring Epson after all these years of familiarity. One more Epson? Probably. But thanks for sharing your experience w/ me. Until I actually pull the trigger I'll likely keep looking and listening....

If you get a new Epson you still might want to buy the extended warranty as a few here have reported head failure after only 1-2 years of moderate use.

[Dan Wells]

In typical independent artist use (print a bunch at once, then nothing for a while, then another batch), I've been much happier with Canons than Epsons. Over nearly 20 years of inkjet printing, I've had a few of each, and the chances of turning on a Canon and finding a working printer have always been higher.

I currently have a Pro-2000, and my only regret is that I didn't go for the 4000. Today's high-resolution full-frame pixel monsters (A7rIII, D850, Z7, S1r) will go right past the limits of a 24" printer and beg for more. Yes, it's hard to find exhibit spaces for those jumbo prints, but I currently have a show up in a large church, and there are several walls that would have taken 40x60" prints easily. Most houses won't (maybe some big, new houses), but many other buildings will.

The difference in cost can be relatively small, depending on the specials running in any given month. Note that the 4000 ships with about $1000 more worth of ink than the 2000 does (330 ml cartridges instead of 160s). Occasionally, I've seen the prices go inverted - the 4000 is actually cheaper than the 2000 plus the ink. Normally, the difference is about $500 to $1000 after accounting for the ink (the 4000 is more expensive, as it should be) - it takes a particularly good deal on the 4000 to invert the pricing!

I haven't heard much of the new HP Z series - the old 3200 was beloved by many smaller-volume users, although it's now discontinued and replaced by the new Z9.

[toddwms]

In typical independent artist use (print a bunch at once, then nothing for a while, then another batch), I've been much happier with Canons than Epsons. Over nearly 20 years of inkjet printing, I've had a few of each, and the chances of turning on a Canon and finding a working printer have always been higher.

I currently have a Pro-2000, and my only regret is that I didn't go for the 4000. Today's high-resolution full-frame pixel monsters (A7rIII, D850, Z7, S1r) will go right past the limits of a 24" printer and beg for more. Yes, it's hard to find exhibit spaces for those jumbo prints, but I currently have a show up in a large church, and there are several walls that would have taken 40x60" prints easily. Most houses won't (maybe some big, new houses), but many other buildings will.

The difference in cost can be relatively small, depending on the specials running in any given month. Note that the 4000 ships with about $1000 more worth of ink than the 2000 does (330 ml cartridges instead of 160s). Occasionally, I've seen the prices go inverted - the 4000 is actually cheaper than the 2000 plus the ink. Normally, the difference is about $500 to $1000 after accounting for the ink (the 4000 is more expensive, as it should be) - it takes a particularly good deal on the 4000 to invert the pricing!

I haven't heard much of the new HP Z series - the old 3200 was beloved by many smaller-volume users, although it's now discontinued and replaced by the new Z9.

Dan - thanks very much for your insight. I am so on the edge of decision making right now between the Canon and the Epson. I like your take on the Canon. I do believe these printers are so neck and neck image wise, and there are many things to like about the Canon over the Epson. I've only ever printed on Epson, w/ the large formats being 9800 and 9890, as well as the 3800 and now the P800 which are fabulous non-clogging machines.

I do way more monochromatic prints than color, and I'm not sure if this is a deciding point for Epson or not but it's been commented in my inquiries that B&W is one area where the Epson excels, they have really done their homework w/ generating the most neutral color cast free prints. That may or may not shift me, but I found that that was one of the more compelling arguments for Epson. Otherwise I am leaning towards Canon at the very moment for many other reasons - including the one regarding the $ value point you made w/ the amount of ink that comes w/ the 4000, as the sales cost differences of the two competing printers is minute.

It's just so tough to make this choice I'm finding, no clear winner for me, I want it all! Ha! And I have too much time before coming to a decision, and that is driving this guy crazy.

[Peter McLennan]

I do way more monochromatic prints than color,

First, I feel your pain.  I have a 9800 with refillable carts that I've spent a lot of money on over the years.  It now has ink supply issues and is sitting unused. 

My intention is to convert it to a monochrome-only printer, using just a few of the channels.  Paul Roark (forum member, generous knowledge-sharer and superb photographer) says that it's relatively easy to do this using Quadtone Rip.  This software apparently will let you map out problematic channels and load the remaining channels with monochrome inks. I have not done this yet.

FWIW, I bought an HPZ3200 for my colour work and have never been happier with an inkjet printer.

[toddwms]

My intention is to convert it to a monochrome-only printer, using just a few of the channels.  Paul Roark (forum member, generous knowledge-sharer and superb photographer) says that it's relatively easy to do this using Quadtone Rip.  This software apparently will let you map out problematic channels and load the remaining channels with monochrome inks. I have not done this yet.

That's a great tip Peter, and I WOULD be thinking along those lines, and have. But I am finding some other issues I think motherboard related, and in the end I do want to be able to print color. So because of added complications w/ the 9890 needing $ remedy, and limited funds, I'm trying to choose 1 printer to inhabit my space.

My next question, and one I will Search first for, but may start a seperate thread is: Between the Canon and Epson present large format printers under discussion, is there a preference for one over the other for BLACK & WHITE prints? Are the Epson blacks deeper than the Canon, and I'm using primarily Matte papers. I've heard the comment that Epson excels in B&W printing because they've made it their mission a while back and have done it the best as result.

[Dan Wells]

I'm not sure about the differences  in black and white using native inks (both are three black inks / four when counting matte and gloss)... Canon uses both Matte and Photo black on matte papers, giving them an extra dark tone (sort of). Where Epsons really shine in black and white is that they can take the specialized Piezography inks. Since they blow channels fairly frequently and aren't worth repairing (unless it's a 60" model, changing a head on an Epson is most of the cost of the printer), Epsons missing a channel are sadly easy to buy for not much. You can put a 9 ink Piezography system in an 11 ink Epson with one or two blown channels (you should be able to buy such a thing for $300 or less, and might even be able to find one to haul away for free), and have a spectacular black and white printer for a reasonable cost.

If you print both B+W and color (and have room in your printer room for two of these beasts), a Canon for color and a converted Epson for B+W would be a really nice pair.

[toddwms]

If you print both B+W and color (and have room in your printer room for two of these beasts), a Canon for color and a converted Epson for B+W would be a really nice pair.

Oh yes! That would be choice. Sadly I do need to print color and B&W, and have no room for the second printer