Should I cancel Epson 7900 order?

[Tommy G]

Ordered an Epson 7900 based on reviews that were mostly positive, then discovered LL and saw Eric's epic thread and now wonder: should I cancel my order while there is still time?  I live in one of the most remote small cities in the country and service calls will be expensive!  Can't afford new heads all the time either.  How prevalent is the problem with heads going bad?  If cancel, which 24" printer would you recommend?

[Mark D Segal]

How often do you intend to use the printer and under what humidity can you keep the room the printer will sit in?

[Tommy G]

I live on the border between northern Arizona and southern Utah so humidity is usually very low. After a first rush of printing it would probably be a week or two between printings.

I realize that the above is not a definitive answer about humidity, and I'm limited by not knowing what is required for printing.  I am new to printing as I kept photography for a hobby after retirement.

[Ken Doo]

I'd buy a hygrometer and a humidifier, aiming for 40-60% humidity.  Running the furnace or a/c can really dry out air; a room isolated from a/c is ideal.

[Mark D Segal]

Tommy, you can buy a digital temperature/humidity gauge from Radio Shack or equivalent for very little money and you will know for sure what your humidity conditions are. Epson's specifications for temperature and humidity are to be respected assiduously if you wish to be as trouble-free as possible. Furthermore, these are highly sophisticated professional production machines that have been designed to be used very regularly. Your stated usage pattern is not terribly well-matched to what that model is designed for. Unless you run prints through it systematically several times a week, there could be more clogging issues than otherwise. There are a great many of these printers in professional shops all over the world producing excellent output very reliably and at high production rates, which is what this printer was primarily designed for.

The next question is whether you really need a 24 inch printer. How often will you make prints needing a minimum of 24 inches on both dimensions? If the answer is very little, you would probably be much better off buying an Epson 3880 (17 inch width printer) and outsourcing the occasional print job where you want larger dimensions. It requires much less maintenance and routine operation to stay trouble free and the quality of prints it can make is also excellent. It also consumes a fraction of the space of a 7900.

[LeLuni]

Based on your somewhat infrequent use and low humidity environment, I would definitely steer you away from Epson.
Due to head clogging issues in a past Epson printer, I am admittedly biased.
I went with an HP, and one of my biggest decision making factors was the ease and low expense of changing print heads. Epson has a lot of catching up to do in that respect. Canon was a close second, but I've heard very positive things about them.

John

[Tommy G]

Thanks both for the sage advice.  I was able to cancel.  Guess I was overly excited by the great deal at $2,700 delivered.  Now to determine which 17" printer to buy!
Thanks again,
Tom

[Mark D Segal]

Epson 3880.

[Randy Carone]

Epson 3880. For sure.

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

Epson 3880. For sure.

I completely agree with Mark and Randy.

Whenever my 3800 (almost 6 years old) finally quits, I will replace it with a 3880. Both are very trouble-free. My 3800 has had about three minor ink clogs in its entire life, and my use is quite sporadic.

I live in the Northeast, near Boston. My house has whole-house air-conditioning, humidification in winter, and dehumidification I summer. Temperature in the room I keep my printer in is always between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, with humidity maintained between 35% and 60% year round.

[Roscolo]

Based on your somewhat infrequent use and low humidity environment, I would definitely steer you away from Epson.
Due to head clogging issues in a past Epson printer, I am admittedly biased.
I went with an HP, and one of my biggest decision making factors was the ease and low expense of changing print heads. Epson has a lot of catching up to do in that respect. Canon was a close second, but I've heard very positive things about them.

What he said. I would opt for the Canon ipf6400 24" printer or HP z3200 24" model. I have the 44" models of these. No clogging issues in 6 years on my HP. Running the Canon for about 18 months, also clog free.

[chez]

Based on your somewhat infrequent use and low humidity environment, I would definitely steer you away from Epson.
Due to head clogging issues in a past Epson printer, I am admittedly biased.
I went with an HP, and one of my biggest decision making factors was the ease and low expense of changing print heads. Epson has a lot of catching up to do in that respect. Canon was a close second, but I've heard very positive things about them.

John

I have two HP3100 printers ( 24" & 44" ) and they live in a low humidity ( read static shocks whenever you turn on a light switch ) and zero issues with clogging, even on sporadic usage. I would never go through the hoops to battle keeping an Epson alive. No one needs that aggravation.

[Tommy G]

chez, how often do you print?

[Roscolo]

Since I got my Canon ipf8300, I have left my z3100 just sitting literally for weeks while I ran jobs on the Canon. When I come back to the z3100, it just starts printing perfect right from the start. Just leave it on and it's trouble free.

[Christoph C. Feldhaim]

When I had my 7890 (pretty much the same than a 7900, just less color) resting for a couple of months I had clogged nozzles on only 2 channels which were gone after 2 paired cleaning cycles - not even a power clean. But we have a moist and cool climate here in Hamburg.

[chez]

chez, how often do you print?

The 44" sits for weeks without any usage. When I do use it, I put 40' of canvas through it, but then it will sit for a few weeks awaiting my next batch. The 24" printer is used about 3 times a week. I've had both printers sit without any usage for extended time, over a month, without any clogging issues. I always leave the printers on and have them go through their scheduled tests.

[gigdagefg]

I have had an Epson 7880 for five years and have never had a clog. I shut it down for six months a year while I am away from Florida in the summer, and power clean it once when I return.
Usually print five or six times a month. This printer is remarkable
Stanley

[Tommy G]

Wow, it seems like it's the luck of the draw when it comes to large format printers.  Since cancelling the 7900 I've been considering the Canon 6400, and users are having similar experiences with that machine.  Not so much with clogged nozzles but with other repairs.

[DeanChriss]

Wow, it seems like it's the luck of the draw when it comes to large format printers.  Since cancelling the 7900 I've been considering the Canon 6400, and users are having similar experiences with that machine.  Not so much with clogged nozzles but with other repairs.

Both printers you have mentioned have far more satisfied users than those with horror stories. Few people get on the internet to say how great a product is, so all the issues collect in the forums. They're a great resource for information, but you'll never find as many good stories as bad ones. I personally know four people using 7900s without serious problems, and my own has been in service since December 2008. When we're away on trips it sits idle for between one and five weeks (average 3). In winter the humidity is only around 30%-35%  and even when it sits idle for weeks in winter there's seldom a clog that isn't cleared with 2 "normal" cleanings. Occasionally there is no clog at all after sitting that long in dry conditions. Maybe I'm lucky, but that's my experience. On the down side these printers do have their idiosyncrasies, but they're nothing beyond occasionally frustrating and they improve one's 4-letter word vocabulary.

[Eric Gulbransen]

unless printing is at least one of your top things in life or business, don't get an X900.  If it is, do, but buy as much warranty as Epson offers you.  Think of an X900 as you would a relationship - it's a constantly moving responsibility.  Take care and you'll be happy.  Neglect and you'll be burned. 

My inbox holds a lot of experiences about these printers.  Weighing it all suggests a few things;

1 - 4900s are different than 7900/9900/11880s.

2 - These machines are for professionals

3 - Listen to Ken Doo

4 - Pay attention to your PK to MK switch - don't let either unused ink wait at the station too long

I have a 7900 here with a blown head and a 9900 with a clogged head.  Last week I took a good look at $1,700 before handing it off to someone else so I can print again.  Could have been a new X900 head from Epson, even had them on the phone (which took six calls - wait till you need a new head it aint fun).  Decided to buy a used 44" Z3200PS instead.  The machine had an average of 60ml of ink run through each head since day one - which was 1.5yrs ago.  Company was acquired, moved all but the printer to China, machine sat ever since.  I bought it for $1,600, ordered 6 new printheads (cause that's how many it uses - 12 colors, PK & MK have their own heads) for $330 (15% discount for new users) which HP sent overnight for free (they sell their ink carts that way too), installed them in 5 minutes (machine auto syncs them in another 17), bought a new warranty contract from HP (on what is now a second owner, used machine), and I've been printing fascinating colors ever since.  I leave the machine on, it monitors itself like Ken has his 9900 set up to do. 

This machine was made for me, kind of like my wife.  I am not half the professional it is.  I couldn't be happier.