Binned it after 7 months! (Epson Stylus Photo 830)

Member Name: paul5549

Product:	Epson Stylus Photo 830
Date:	28/08/03 (915 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Photo-quality

Disadvantages: Takes AGES to print, Constant clogged heads

I bought this printer in January 2003 because I'd recently purchased a new PC with Windows XP. My previous Epson printer had lost some of its functionality with this new operating system and I wanted a brand new printer anyway which had photo-quality capability.
I was very impressed with the photo-quality of prints, considering the printer only cost £99. I was not impressed, however, with the CONSTANT need to clean the print heads almost every time I needed to use it. I don?t use this printer every day and maybe a week will go by before I need to use it. Each time I tried to use it I?d get those annoying bands indicating that the print heads were clogged and needed to be cleaned. This was the single most annoying feature of this printer. I lost so much ink by constantly cleaning the clogged heads. I had heard (unfortunately after purchasing this printer) that it had a problem with clogged heads and some reports I?d read had users returning it to the manufacturers to have it replaced!
I used the printer 2 days ago and again had to clean the print heads. I cleaned them 9 times in a row before the colour inks were satisfactory. The black ink still had a way to go. Unfortunately you can?t seem to clean just the black and leave the colour inks, it all seems to be done at the same time. I had another 2 attempts at cleaning the heads again when my printer kindly informed me that the colour inks needed changing! This was because I?d wasted so much ink cleaning the heads. It was especially galling because I only wanted to clean the black ink head at this stage. I had another 2 attempts at cleaning (bringing it to 13!) before I was satisfied with the results. I had wasted a huge amount of ink by this time and had replaced the colour cartridge. My black ink cartridge, which had been almost full, was now half empty. This ability not to clean either the black or colour heads separately is infuriating. I have found in the past that I only want to c
lean either the black or the colour but I?m not given this choice. You have to clean all the heads, wasting ink in the process.
Also, printing takes AGES. Printing photo-quality prints takes a huge amount of time. I?ve compared Epson with Canon photo-quality printers and the difference in print time is staggering.
I ordered a new Canon photo printer yesterday and it should be delivered tomorrow. When it arrives my Epson printer is going in the bin. It has constantly been a source of irritation for me. The photo-quality of the prints ARE excellent, but it takes forever to print and I?ve wasted so much ink by constantly having to clean the print heads that I?m ditching this piece of equipment once and for all. It?s headed for the bin where it truly belongs!
I now see this printer is reduced to £69. I still wouldn't but it at this price.

Summary: