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Author Topic: Another 4900 horror story  (Read 55565 times)

Roger_Breton

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Re: Another 4900 horror story
« Reply #80 on: February 01, 2014, 01:06:30 pm »

UPDATE 2

Ran into an inkjet repairmen yesterday, while visiting a new client.
He was working on a 7800 that needed much love.
Naturally, I told him about my miseries...
He hypothesized that, perhaps, the pump no longer worked?
We'll see. He's coming over next week.

Earlier that day, I telephoned a company called PGtech, in Montréal, that advertises repairing Epson printers.
For $90, they say they can give me an estimate of repair.
I only have to physically bring the printer over to them.

So, I'm still not giving up on my 4900. I wish I could diagnose the problem better...

Thank's everyone for chiming in.
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Mark D Segal

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Re: Another 4900 horror story
« Reply #81 on: February 01, 2014, 01:50:43 pm »

Yes indeed - correct diagnosis is the first step to a reliable cure and absent our ability to do that, the remedies are not self-evident.
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Mark D Segal (formerly MarkDS)
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BrianWJH

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Re: Another 4900 horror story
« Reply #82 on: February 01, 2014, 06:11:26 pm »

I've found as many warnings about Windex as testimonials and other contradictory statements.  I wonder if anyone has tried a glycol?  Epson has a cleaning cartridge for the 9600 which contains a solution consisting mostly of diethylene glycol (based on the MSDS sheet).

Tom

Hi Tom, Epson Ultrachrome K3 ink does contain both ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol according to msds information.

Watch this video produced by a US based distributor who recommends the Windex on paper towel method to clear a nozzle clog.

They appear to be a mainstream supplier and an authorized service center.


Brian.
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Roger_Breton

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Re: Another 4900 horror story
« Reply #83 on: February 01, 2014, 07:55:15 pm »

UPDATE 3

While searching for information on the pump and cap assembly, I stumbled on Amazon reviews. Of the 21 reviews, most were very negative.
To the point that, I consider myself quite lucky for the 2 1/2 years of trouble free operation!

I was looking into getting a "non-Epson" printer, as a point of self-pride (after gone through a 3000 and a 4000 before). I was becoming quite enthusiastic of the Canon PRO-1. (Can't find anything like the 3880 or the PRO-1 in HP? And other than HP and Canon, what else can be had for inkjet printing?) After going through the 4900 printers mostly negative reviews on Amazon, i was curious what the verdict was on the 3880? It seems the reviews were mostly positive, with the exception of some paper feeding issues.

Amazon also has some PRO-1 reviews. Seems that the quality of the prints is phenomenal. But the printer seems to be plagued with the usual paper feeding issues and surprisingly high ink consumption.

I am hesitant to get another 4900, instead of getting a 3880, but the mostly negative reviews on Amazon (worse horror stories than mine) is making me think twice. I can remember going through *one* refurbished 4000 printer unit with Epson in the past, during its one year of warranty, and having to repack mine and arranging to UPS pick-up to get it back to Epson was a real pain. Many people recount going through similar refurb replacement units with 4900s? So, while I can buy an extended 2 years warranty program with Epson, there is no garantee that I'll enjoy trouble-free operation. And that's the last thing on my mind right now.

My 4900 is sitting accross the room and has been rendered useless for close to the last three weeks now, and it's starting to eat up in my moral....
Need to get back into printing.

Anyone with any experience with feeding sheets of paper in the 3880? Is it as bad as some claim it is?
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Mark D Segal

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Re: Another 4900 horror story
« Reply #84 on: February 01, 2014, 08:05:10 pm »

I had a 3800 before the 4900 and it was virtually trouble-free. The 3880 is about the same build and has even slightly better print quality. If you don't need a roll holder I'd have no hesitation about it.
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Mark D Segal (formerly MarkDS)
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tsjanik

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Re: Another 4900 horror story
« Reply #85 on: February 01, 2014, 09:06:31 pm »

Thanks Brian.  I'm getting good prints despite the lost nozzles; I can't understand why that should be, but I'm reluctant to try anything even remotely risky.  Ironically, that's the same video I linked in my first post. 


Tom
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Mike Guilbault

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Re: Another 4900 horror story
« Reply #86 on: February 01, 2014, 10:36:38 pm »

My 4900 clogs (or drop-outs or whatever they were) persisted for almost 3 months. The windex didn't work (made it worse actually) and it wasn't until I used the AIS solutions AND up'd the humidity that it cleared - and almost instantly when I got the humidity to 50%. I fired the 4900 up today and made a series of prints after being shut down for over two weeks. Not one gap in the nozzle check and perfect prints.  Don't give up yet. 
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Mike Guilbault

tsjanik

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Re: Another 4900 horror story
« Reply #87 on: February 01, 2014, 11:45:06 pm »

Not giving up Mike; however, as I consider buying a 44" printer, I am concerned about the Epson clogging issues. 
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Mark D Segal

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Re: Another 4900 horror story
« Reply #88 on: February 02, 2014, 07:45:35 am »

Tom,

There are quite a number of people still using HP Z series printers and are happy with them, but where is HP in the inkjet printing business today? Other than Epson and other makes using Epson technology, that leaves Canon. Many people use and like their printers too, but they also clog - except you don't see it until the print heads need to be replaced altogether - completely doable for about 500 dollars each. So much depends on how you prefer to manage your clogging risk. Before making a decision, try to access a dealer where you can print the same file - preferably one with many colours and much micro-detail - from comparable Canon and  Epson printers and see which delivers better print quality.
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Mark D Segal (formerly MarkDS)
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tsjanik

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Re: Another 4900 horror story
« Reply #89 on: February 02, 2014, 09:50:34 am »

Mark, as search the forums for user experience I've become aware of all you say.  Given the apparent user satisfaction with HP printers, it surprises me that they appear to withdrawing from the fine art market.  Too bad, lack of clogging and gloss optimizer are strong points for me.  Canon printers can have their own issues apparently.  Maybe I'll return to the darkroom (just kidding).

Tom
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Alan Goldhammer

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Re: Another 4900 horror story
« Reply #90 on: February 02, 2014, 09:53:13 am »

I had a 3800 before the 4900 and it was virtually trouble-free. The 3880 is about the same build and has even slightly better print quality. If you don't need a roll holder I'd have no hesitation about it.
Really?  I thought that the 4900 with it's "better" print head is supposed to deliver higher quality prints?  If what you say is correct than the 3800 is still the "gold standard" for 17 inch printers.  For long prints, one can always cut roll paper to the desired size (I've done a 17x30 print this way).
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Alan Goldhammer

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Re: Another 4900 horror story
« Reply #91 on: February 02, 2014, 09:56:21 am »

There are quite a number of people still using HP Z series printers and are happy with them, but where is HP in the inkjet printing business today?
HP was hemorrhaging money for some time until Meg Whitman took over as CEO.  She made a lot of tough decisions about the future of the company.  Unfortunately, I think they view(ed) fine art printing as one area not worthy of further investment.  We'll see, but I'm not optimistic that they will be a player.  Too bad Kodak isn't in this area (he says in jest).
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Mark D Segal

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Re: Another 4900 horror story
« Reply #92 on: February 02, 2014, 10:08:12 am »

Really?  I thought that the 4900 with it's "better" print head is supposed to deliver higher quality prints?  If what you say is correct than the 3800 is still the "gold standard" for 17 inch printers.  For long prints, one can always cut roll paper to the desired size (I've done a 17x30 print this way).

If you review my review of the 4900 you will see where I mentioned its wider colour gamut. How much of that you see in a print is another matter. It does deliver better quality - though how much of it is visible is for the viewer to judge. The 3800/3880 series are great printers reliably delivering really good print quality with minimal fuss and bother.
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Mark D Segal (formerly MarkDS)
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Mark D Segal

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Re: Another 4900 horror story
« Reply #93 on: February 02, 2014, 10:10:16 am »

HP was hemorrhaging money for some time until Meg Whitman took over as CEO.  She made a lot of tough decisions about the future of the company.  Unfortunately, I think they view(ed) fine art printing as one area not worthy of further investment.  We'll see, but I'm not optimistic that they will be a player.  Too bad Kodak isn't in this area (he says in jest).

I think she was right about that one, given the huge problems that company faces. I agree - not likely to resume any time soon. But one can never say never. They still have a toe-hold in the high-end industrial printing market for really huge output.
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Mark D Segal (formerly MarkDS)
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shadowblade

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Re: Another 4900 horror story
« Reply #94 on: February 02, 2014, 11:35:03 am »

I think she was right about that one, given the huge problems that company faces. I agree - not likely to resume any time soon. But one can never say never. They still have a toe-hold in the high-end industrial printing market for really huge output.

Ultimately, the HP machines all use the same technology, regardless of whether they're printing photos, art reproduction, prepress, signage or engineering blueprints.

They already have arguably the best inks on the market, and these inks are used not only in their dedicated photo printers, but also in their CAD printers (e.g. Z6200). If they're going to continue making printers at all, they're likely to use the same inks, or improved versions of them. In other words, there's no reason a future printer won't be good for printing photos, even if that isn't its primary purpose. After all, people use Mimaki and Roland printers for photos and fine art, too.

The only thing that could kill off HP as a photo printing option is if they decided to cut back on the number of inks in the printer, arguing that signage, blueprints and other commercial/industrial functions only need a basic four-colour process.
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JRSmit

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Re: Another 4900 horror story
« Reply #95 on: February 02, 2014, 12:36:54 pm »

I find the 4900 the "gold" standard if you will. Compared to the 3800 it is more refined,  better  nuances.
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digitaldog

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Re: Another 4900 horror story
« Reply #96 on: February 02, 2014, 12:44:13 pm »

I find the 4900 the "gold" standard if you will. Compared to the 3800 it is more refined,  better  nuances.
Based on recent tests once I got my 4900 unclogged, I'd say that's true if comparing the 3880 to the 4900. I prefer the 3880 in many ways, but the output from the 4900, with a proper file that can utilize it's gamut will appear a higher 'gold' standard than the 3880. The head techology, which is probably a cause for more clogs when not used regularly, the additional inks do make a difference for the better.

Mark's point about head replacement should be observed when comparing other printers to the Epson print technology.
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Mark D Segal

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Re: Another 4900 horror story
« Reply #97 on: February 02, 2014, 12:56:47 pm »


The only thing that could kill off HP as a photo printing option is if they decided to cut back on the number of inks in the printer, arguing that signage, blueprints and other commercial/industrial functions only need a basic four-colour process.

Ink is probably the least important consideration when it comes to making commercial decisions about whether to support a product line, with all that it involves.
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Mark D Segal (formerly MarkDS)
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shadowblade

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Re: Another 4900 horror story
« Reply #98 on: February 02, 2014, 01:51:35 pm »

Ink is probably the least important consideration when it comes to making commercial decisions about whether to support a product line, with all that it involves.

What I'm saying is that, if HP announces that the next printer is a 54"-wide, high-speed 12-colour printer, designed for printing blueprints, indoor signage or whatever, there's no reason the same printer can't also be an excellent photo and fine art reproduction device, even if that isn't its primary purpose.

If, on the other hand, the same printer is designed with just four inks and larger tanks, or even three sets of four heads for faster print speeds, it would be nearly useless for photos.

In other words, the next device's suitability as a photo printer depends not on what HP decides to call it or what its 'purpose' is, but on how many inks it can use at the same time.
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Mark D Segal

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Re: Another 4900 horror story
« Reply #99 on: February 02, 2014, 04:49:19 pm »

Thanks for clarifying - I see what you mean now.

Even in that context, there are other factors that would matter very much as well - for example, dithering and dot lay-down technologies, droplet size control, native resolution........
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Mark D Segal (formerly MarkDS)
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