Epson P9000 v. Canon Pro-4000 (or 4100)

[ramd41@gmail.com]

I've long used Epson printers, including the Epson 4900.  Now I'm interested in a larger format printer.  Over the years I've run into the dreaded clogged-head problems with my Epson printers.  I have reduced the problem somewhat by using Keyboard Maestro - a Mac program that helps create and run macros -  to print a full color range print every day even when I'm away.  Still, I occasionally have a clogged head, which I can clear with the head cleaning function.  Once a head permanently goes down you might as well throw the printer away since the cost of repair is too close to simply buying a new printer. Other than the clogged head issue, I've enjoyed the print quality that my Epson printers have produced.  It appears that the latest P series has somewhat less problems with clogged heads, but I remain hesitant to make the investment in a larger Epson printer if the problem remains.  I only print for myself so this is not a printer that will constantly run large print jobs. 

Is there anyone here who has had experience with the newer printers who can make a recommendations on both usability and print quality?

Thanks,
David

[ramd41@gmail.com]

Sorry - should have researched this before posting.  Just noticed the thread on the same issue in November (https://forum.luminous-landscape.com/index.php?topic=132791.msg1139307#msg1139307).  If anyone has anything new to add, it would be appreciated, but no need to repeat what has already been said.

Thanks,
David

[I.T. Supplies]

David,

Honestly, no matter what aqueous printer you get, it will have clogs.  An Epson technical rep made a really good point that if it's an aqueous model that uses water based ink, it will clog; just depends on the users environment and how well the printer is being maintained.  You can't get away from that unfortunately.  However, the newer models will have features to help with clogs (Epson) and HP/Canon's have the same head technology that will be better towards clogs, but the ability to have extra nozzles as back ups.  They do have the ability to replace the heads when they either go through the lifetime of ink or go out.

Epson's P series have been better on maintaining clogs and the newest version will have the ability to clean the head carriage and another part that you weren't able to touch before.  So, it's really based on what features you want in the printer to go between Epson or Canon.  Canon will have tons of nice tools/features that are free from Canon's site; similar to Epson's with their newest series.

The replacing of the Epson head will always be the part that's expensive (if it needs replaced), but Canon has it available to replace directly (even if the unit is out of warranty).  However, Canon's heads are also under a 1-year warranty upfront, so if they do go out in that time frame, Canon will replace it at no charge.

There are goods and bads within the brands, so it's really based on what you're really wanting from the printer or looking into.

IT Supplies

[deanwork]

Yea, whatever.

What the Epson rep doesn’t tell you is that if you are using a Canon or Hp thermal head large format printer you won’t have blocked nozzles occur right in the middle of a print job ruining the print and requiring you to remove the roll and take all the time and wasted ink necessary to clear the problem channel before getting back to doing your job, and hoping it doesn’t happen again with that channel or another one on this print or the next one.

You don’t have this situation with thermal heads as we’ve said for many years on this forum. When the head comes to the end of its life and all the extra nozzles are worn out, you remove it and put another one in yourself in 10-15 minutes. Look there is a lot to like about Epson machines and I have 3 of them but don’t be confused about clogging and missing nozzles when you are working because it just doesn’t happen with thermal print heads. It also should be known that if you buy a big Epson it needs to be used regularly. With my Canon and Hp machines I can let them sit there for months and they never miss nozzles the software monitors them continually.

John

David,

Honestly, no matter what aqueous printer you get, it will have clogs.  An Epson technical rep made a really good point that if it's an aqueous model that uses water based ink, it will clog; just depends on the users environment and how well the printer is being maintained.  You can't get away from that unfortunately.  However, the newer models will have features to help with clogs (Epson) and HP/Canon's have the same head technology that will be better towards clogs, but the ability to have extra nozzles as back ups.  They do have the ability to replace the heads when they either go through the lifetime of ink or go out.

Epson's P series have been better on maintaining clogs and the newest version will have the ability to clean the head carriage and another part that you weren't able to touch before.  So, it's really based on what features you want in the printer to go between Epson or Canon.  Canon will have tons of nice tools/features that are free from Canon's site; similar to Epson's with their newest series.

The replacing of the Epson head will always be the part that's expensive (if it needs replaced), but Canon has it available to replace directly (even if the unit is out of warranty).  However, Canon's heads are also under a 1-year warranty upfront, so if they do go out in that time frame, Canon will replace it at no charge.

There are goods and bads within the brands, so it's really based on what you're really wanting from the printer or looking into.

IT Supplies