Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 16 of 26

Thread: Compatible printer ink - worth the gamble?

  1. #1
    Nothing runs like a Deere cotswoldcs's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    Bang in the heart of the cotswolds
    Posts
    793
    Thanks
    40
    Thanked
    18 times in 18 posts
    • cotswoldcs's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus P4C800-E Deluxe
      • CPU:
      • Pentium 4 3.0Ghz Northwood (@3.4Ghz on water)
      • Memory:
      • 1.5Gb Corsair TwinX PC3200/PC3700
      • Storage:
      • 150Gb Raptor
      • Graphics card(s):
      • XFX 6600GT 128Mb (w waterblock)
      • PSU:
      • Seasonic S12-380
      • Case:
      • Antec Sonata I
      • Monitor(s):
      • 3 x Iiyama 19" LCD (5:4) on Comrac Tripple Mount
      • Internet:
      • PlusNet 1.6Mb ADSL

    Compatible printer ink - worth the gamble?

    Apologies for the absence, I recently sold my IT business to take over the family farm and now have little time to log into Hexus. I've missed you all but alas life moves on...

    Anyway to my question. I've always been against compatible cartridges having seen so many printers in the past that malfunctioned or suffered due to their use. However, looking today at a set of originals for my Canon MP640 which cost over £40 I'm beginning to wonder. It would only cost £100 or so to replace the whole printer, which would include a full set. A compatible set is approx £10 for a set of 5 which does seem remarkable value.

    What's your thoughts - are compatibles OK?

  2. #2
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Posts
    679
    Thanks
    13
    Thanked
    43 times in 43 posts

    Re: Compatible printer ink - worth the gamble?

    I've used them on epson printers and have not had any problems, they don't last as long but at £5 a set its ok.

  3. #3
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Posts
    1,772
    Thanks
    103
    Thanked
    76 times in 69 posts
    • pp05's system
      • Motherboard:
      • AsRock Fatal1ty B450 Gaming itx
      • CPU:
      • Ryzen 3 2200G
      • Memory:
      • Ballistix Elite 8GB Kit 3200 UDIMM
      • Storage:
      • Kingston 240gb SSD
      • PSU:
      • Kolink SFX 350W PSU
      • Case:
      • Kolink Sattelite plus MITX
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10

    Re: Compatible printer ink - worth the gamble?

    Quote Originally Posted by cotswoldcs View Post
    Apologies for the absence, I recently sold my IT business to take over the family farm and now have little time to log into Hexus. I've missed you all but alas life moves on...

    Anyway to my question. I've always been against compatible cartridges having seen so many printers in the past that malfunctioned or suffered due to their use. However, looking today at a set of originals for my Canon MP640 which cost over £40 I'm beginning to wonder. It would only cost £100 or so to replace the whole printer, which would include a full set. A compatible set is approx £10 for a set of 5 which does seem remarkable value.

    What's your thoughts - are compatibles OK?
    Depends on what you're printing.

    Just text then go for it. But then a laser printer can be had for £100 or less.

  4. #4
    DILLIGAF GoNz0's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Derby
    Posts
    10,872
    Thanks
    632
    Thanked
    1,192 times in 945 posts
    • GoNz0's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus Rampage V Extreme
      • CPU:
      • i7 something X99 based
      • Memory:
      • 16gb GSkill
      • Storage:
      • 4 SSD's + WD Red
      • Graphics card(s):
      • GTX980 Strix WC
      • PSU:
      • Enermax Galaxy 1250 (9 years and counting)
      • Case:
      • Corsair 900D
      • Operating System:
      • win10 64bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell 24"
      • Internet:
      • 220mb Cable

    Re: Compatible printer ink - worth the gamble?

    epson have instructed us (being an epson engineer) to leave the premises if the customer is found to be using any none genuine consumables.

    imho they are not worth it, colour fastness is poor, colour reproduction is poor, the inks do not dry the same leading to the waste system blocking up if it does not trash the heads long before then.

    if you want a cheap printer for text buy a cheap laser or consider binning the printer if it breaks with cheepo inks.

    Capitalization is the difference between helping your Uncle Jack
    off a horse and helping your uncle jack off a horse.

  5. #5
    Senior Member this_is_gav's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Posts
    4,854
    Thanks
    175
    Thanked
    255 times in 217 posts

    Re: Compatible printer ink - worth the gamble?

    Random compatible cartridges I'd never recommend (unless the printer is so old there's little value to the printer), however for my Canon 9000 MKII I've bought some empty cartridges and filled them with some decent ink, as recommended on a few photo forums.

    I've no idea how it compares to the genuine Canon ink for this printer (I haven't directly compared them), but the combination of new printer and compatible inks are a big step forward from my old Canon IP5300 (technically identical to the IP4000 series) which has always run on genuine ink.

    I'd never recommend random compatibles, but if you do some research and your printer has decent options for a continuous ink system or refillable cartridges, then my experience has been great so far.

    Original cartridges: £128 for 88ml
    Compatible ink: £35 for 800ml

    Considering the quality (which as I said may or may not be quite as vibrant as the genuine), I'm more than happy to take those savings.

    All I would recommend is getting some latex gloves for the refilling, as little bits of ink do tend to end up all over your hands, and I can vouch for the longevity of this particular ink!



    Edit:
    Just had a quick glance around and here's a review of a kit for the MP640. When I was researching into the 9000 MKII system I stumbled across Fotorite, and apparently their ink is rubbish. Looking at that review, it doesn't look great.

    Perhaps better way forward would be to reuse your existing cartridges and buy this kit instead. Like I said, I don't have any complaints over the OctoInkjet ink and it was recommended looking in a few forums.
    Last edited by this_is_gav; 19-07-2011 at 07:56 AM.

  6. #6
    S1L3NT danroyle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    sussex
    Posts
    4,243
    Thanks
    145
    Thanked
    186 times in 153 posts
    • danroyle's system
      • Motherboard:
      • N/A
      • CPU:
      • Intel Core I7 4720HQ
      • Memory:
      • 8GB
      • Storage:
      • 128GB SSD +1tb HDD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Geforce Gtx960m
      • PSU:
      • N/A
      • Case:
      • N/A
      • Operating System:
      • WINDOWS 10 64bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • 15.6" IPS
      • Internet:
      • BT Fibre

    Re: Compatible printer ink - worth the gamble?

    i used compatible cartridges on my old printer and one of them burst inside the printer. I cleaned it out but the chip that reads the cartridges malfunctioned and would no longer register having the black cartirdge in.

    We just got an awesome Hp printer on a deal so i said to the wife this time we are only using original Inks


  7. #7
    Senior Member Betty_Swallocks's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Feet up, spliff lit.
    Posts
    1,140
    Thanks
    70
    Thanked
    60 times in 44 posts
    • Betty_Swallocks's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus Z97-A
      • CPU:
      • Intel Core i5 4690K o/c to 4.6 gHz
      • Memory:
      • 8Gb DDR3
      • Storage:
      • 256Gb SSD + 1320Gb (3x SATA drives)
      • Graphics card(s):
      • MSI R9 390 8Gb
      • PSU:
      • Corsair CS750M
      • Case:
      • Thermaltake Shark
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10
      • Monitor(s):
      • 37" Samsung TV @1920x1080 + Dell 20.1" TFT secondary screen
      • Internet:
      • 150Mb Virgin Media cable

    Re: Compatible printer ink - worth the gamble?

    I would never use compatible cartridges in an Epson as their cartridges do not include the print head so if ink clogs the head as compatible inks often do the whole printer is scrap.
    HP printer cartridges on the other hand contain the print head so a clogged head just involves replacing the cartridge.
    I have scrapped two Epsons over the years after using compatibles.
    Can't comment on Canon as I don't know how their cartridges are made.
    "Free speech includes not only the inoffensive but the irritating, the contentious, the eccentric, the heretical, the unwelcome and the provocative provided it does not tend to provoke violence. Freedom only to speak inoffensively is not worth having."

  8. #8
    jim
    jim is offline
    HEXUS.clueless jim's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Location: Location:
    Posts
    11,457
    Thanks
    613
    Thanked
    1,645 times in 1,307 posts
    • jim's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus Maximus IV Gene-Z
      • CPU:
      • i5 2500K @ 4.5GHz
      • Memory:
      • 8GB Corsair Vengeance LP
      • Storage:
      • 1TB Sandisk SSD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • ASUS GTX 970
      • PSU:
      • Corsair AX650
      • Case:
      • Silverstone Fortress FT03
      • Operating System:
      • 8.1 Pro
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell S2716DG
      • Internet:
      • 10 Mbps ADSL

    Re: Compatible printer ink - worth the gamble?

    I think you might as well give it a try. Start off buying from the highstreet. If it works, then great - you've saved a load of money.

    If it's rubbish quality, take the carts back and get a refund. At Tesco that might be tough, not sure about WHSmith and I know that Ryman will refund a compatible if you've got a printed sheet showing the carp quality printing.

    And if the whole thing explodes in a huge ball of flame, just buy a new printer!

  9. #9
    Seething Cauldron of Hatred TheAnimus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Posts
    17,168
    Thanks
    803
    Thanked
    2,152 times in 1,408 posts

    Re: Compatible printer ink - worth the gamble?

    It depends on the cost of the printer really.

    If your using a £40 jobbie, be it built in print heads like the epson, or head carts like the HP, and you don't care about the quality because its a £40 printer, then yeh use the compatables. If on the other hand your not saving the cost of the printer should the heads gunk up, then don't.
    throw new ArgumentException (String, String, Exception)

  10. #10
    The late but legendary peterb - Onward and Upward peterb's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Looking down & checking on swearing
    Posts
    19,378
    Thanks
    2,892
    Thanked
    3,403 times in 2,693 posts

    Re: Compatible printer ink - worth the gamble?

    If it is anything other than an Epson which has fixed printheads (and where, as Gonz0 says, is likely to negate any service visit in future) then probably worth trying. But if you have spent a couple of hundred quid on a printer, it seems (to me) to make little sense in compromising on the overall print quality by buying ink of unknown provenance.
    (\__/)
    (='.'=)
    (")_(")

    Been helped or just 'Like' a post? Use the Thanks button!
    My broadband speed - 750 Meganibbles/minute

  11. #11
    DILLIGAF GoNz0's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Derby
    Posts
    10,872
    Thanks
    632
    Thanked
    1,192 times in 945 posts
    • GoNz0's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus Rampage V Extreme
      • CPU:
      • i7 something X99 based
      • Memory:
      • 16gb GSkill
      • Storage:
      • 4 SSD's + WD Red
      • Graphics card(s):
      • GTX980 Strix WC
      • PSU:
      • Enermax Galaxy 1250 (9 years and counting)
      • Case:
      • Corsair 900D
      • Operating System:
      • win10 64bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell 24"
      • Internet:
      • 220mb Cable

    Re: Compatible printer ink - worth the gamble?

    we are also being issues with software updates to our engineer tools that allows us to see how many consumables have been used, this also logs none genuine inks the same way it pops up on your pc screen when you try and use none genuines, there will be no warranty at all on the new printers as they will all have this feature to catch out people using cheap stuff.

    Capitalization is the difference between helping your Uncle Jack
    off a horse and helping your uncle jack off a horse.

  12. #12
    WEEEEEEEEEEEEE! MadduckUK's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Lytham St. Annes
    Posts
    17,297
    Thanks
    653
    Thanked
    1,580 times in 1,006 posts
    • MadduckUK's system
      • Motherboard:
      • MSI B450M Mortar
      • CPU:
      • AMD Ryzen 5 3600
      • Memory:
      • 32GB 3200 DDR4
      • Storage:
      • 1x480GB SSD, 1x 2TB Hybrid, 1x 3TB Rust Spinner
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Radeon 5700XT
      • PSU:
      • Corsair TX750w
      • Case:
      • Phanteks Enthoo Evolv mATX
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10 x64
      • Monitor(s):
      • Samsung SJ55W, DELL S2409W
      • Internet:
      • Plusnet 80

    Red face Re: Compatible printer ink - worth the gamble?

    Quote Originally Posted by GoNz0 View Post
    we are also being issues with software updates to our engineer tools that allows us to see how many consumables have been used, this also logs none genuine inks the same way it pops up on your pc screen when you try and use none genuines, there will be no warranty at all on the new printers as they will all have this feature to catch out people using cheap stuff.
    Over the last 7 years and 6 "sets" of Epsons we have had, they have all surpassed 20,000 pages before the paper feed starts to go retarded. And the only original ink they ever saw was the sets that came with the printer.

    The total saving over a printers lifetime is incredible.
    Quote Originally Posted by Ephesians
    Do not be drunk with wine, which will ruin you, but be filled with the Spirit
    Vodka

  13. #13
    Goron goron Kumagoro's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Posts
    3,147
    Thanks
    37
    Thanked
    170 times in 139 posts

    Re: Compatible printer ink - worth the gamble?

    If you do get originals 7dayshop is the cheapest or at least was I could find

    http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/defa...o=SEARCH&comp=

  14. #14
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    Cornwall/Weston-Super-Mare
    Posts
    5,337
    Thanks
    438
    Thanked
    309 times in 262 posts
    • Behemoth's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte mATX
      • CPU:
      • Phenom 2 X2 555 BE
      • Memory:
      • 8 Gig DDR3 Corsair XMS 3 1600 MHz
      • Storage:
      • 4 TB's Storage
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Gigabyte GTX 460 OC2
      • PSU:
      • OCZ StealthStream 2 600 Watt
      • Case:
      • Silverstone TJ08-E
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 64 Bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • HP x23LED
      • Internet:
      • BT Broadband

    Re: Compatible printer ink - worth the gamble?

    Been using compaitbles in our Epsons for years and have no such problems with them. Can't tell the difference in quality either from the genuine to the compatibles.

  15. #15
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Posts
    3
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked
    0 times in 0 posts

    Re: Compatible printer ink - worth the gamble?

    The compatible printer cartridges are the best for one who has more printing needs. It has more ink than the OEM cartridges but it may cause some problem in printers.

  16. #16
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Posts
    26
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked
    4 times in 4 posts

    Re: Compatible printer ink - worth the gamble?

    unless doing photographs where you need exact colours I would always use compatables - have done so for may years without problems. Have also had success with the continuous ink systems but these do take up a bit more space and can be fiddly.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. printer not intel-mac compatible?
    By jamena in forum Apple Mac
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 07-08-2006, 01:08 PM
  2. Good place to get printer ink refill kits
    By Wam7 in forum SHOPPING AND CLASSIFIEDS
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 07-05-2006, 05:56 PM
  3. Printer Ink Cartridges...
    By Sair33 in forum General Discussion
    Replies: 18
    Last Post: 17-02-2004, 06:05 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •