Need a new inkjet

[y_p_w]

OK. My dad is asking me to come over to set the thing up. I've looked over the online version of the G3270 owners manual and it's not really all that great at showing how to set it up to be on a Wi-Fi network where it will be available for any device that connects. I have loaded the Canon Print app on my iPad mini, although I'm not sure if I can use that to set it up to connect to the Wi-Fi network. Basically the only way my dad will print is directly off his iPad Pro or maybe my mom off her tablet or phone. But I found something showing how to connect it manually to Wi-Fi just using the touchscreen on the printer.

 

[y_p_w]

OK - it's done now. Can't say that my preparation really helped me all that much. There wasn't much in terms of setup in the box other than a sheet with a website and QR code asking to load the Canon Print app on a mobile device, or a website on a computer.

When I first turned it on, it directed the user to install the print heads and then pour in the ink. But there weren't really any easy ways to figure this out. I figure out that they had two print heads labeled B and C (black and color I assume) but I had to look up how to do it on the Canon website through their search function in the setup menu that the QR code directed me to. The ink was interesting. I thought maybe it had more than one tank load per bottle, but a single bottle fills up each tank to full. And then it took a while before it was ready to connect.

I figured I'd try the app to connect to the Wi-Fi router so that anything connected would have access. There's a button on the front that has to be pressed for at least 3 seconds, where it broadcasts its own Wi-Fi to connect. So after a while it came up where I could connect to it on my iPad using the Canon Print app. At that point it was actually quite easy, where it immediately asked if I wanted to connect, and even selected the SSID of their Wi-Fi box by default (not sure how it knew other than maybe it was the strongest signal). Certainly a lot easier than using manual setup on the printer with their little arrow and OK setup with a tiny little display. All I had to do was enter the password and we were in business. Was able to print from various devices connected to the Wi-Fi without issue.

I'll probably come back eventually to help with the cleaning cycles. But I'm telling my dad to use it fairly regularly so the ink doesn't dry out. I figure eventually the maintenance cartridge (that collects excess ink) is going to need to be replaced, but I'm thinking the ink in the tank is going to last plenty long. And even if the black tank is empty, $23 for a bottle that should last at least 5000 pages seems reasonable, and that's for Canon OEM ink. Aftermarket is even less, but I'm not sure it's worth it given how cheap it is.

 

[y_p_w]

I haven't bothered with an inkjet now in a long time.
Does the print on pages still run if water drips on the paper? Laser printers don't.
another thing I like better about Laser printers.

I could be wrong but I read somewhere that ink for inkjet printers is more expensive than Gold, even at the current price per ounce.
Common sense would dictate that you REALLY need to think about that before you buy the stuff.

Toner does have issues with cracking when folded. Also sticking over time. I've got stuff that's years old and a bit of the toner stuck to the back of the page next to the print.

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

For what those peiple charge for their ink they could give you the printer.

 

[y_p_w]

For what those peiple charge for their ink they could give you the printer.

That's basically how printers can sell for $50, although all they have included is usually a "starter" set of ink cartridges. A full set of OEM ink cartridges often costs more than the cost of a basic inkjet.

But the tank ones aren't too bad. Some are as low as $120 on sale with a standard ink supply the same as one could buy as replacement ink. The Canon for my parents claims the ink is good for about 6000 black and 7000 color prints. Reading message boards, these often last nearly forever for people who print sparingly, although lack of use can be an issue where it can clog up and/or need cleaning.

Years ago I got a Brother laser all in one. That one was different. It had a starter toner cartridge, but it was two piece. One was the drum unit and they had toner only refills that screwed in place. The OEM toner itself was maybe $25 good for about 2000 pages, but a new drum unit might be $100. The drum unit (even the original) was supposed to last about 20,000 prints, but mine failed (left streaks) and I got a replacement.

I don't think they support those any more.

 

[FZ1]

Not me as I've got a Canon laser all in one and am happy with it. All I have is the starter cartridge and another one from a defunct printer of the same cartridge model, and I think that will last me for a while.

But my parents' old HP DeskJet just bit the dust. It won't turn on at all, although I suppose it could be something simple like a fuse. But it's old and probably ready for electronics recycling at this point.

But then I tried to explain what new printers are like - especially HP's Instant Ink program. They seem to have some sort of subscription model where their cartridges are enabled through the internet and where they stop working if the subscription lapses. And an oddball pages per month subscription plan. Then there's the included months, although that might be limited. I don't think my parents want to deal with that kind of thinking. Occasionally they have a lot of stuff to print at once even though they might not even turn it on for weeks at a time.

My dad is asking about HP's Smart Tank system. I wasn't quite sure how that worked since they claim 2/3 months ink, but I don't think it's any kind of subscription model with liquid refill ink. That might be a simple enough usage model compared to Instant Ink. Anyone have any experience with it? There's one on sale for $180 now at a bunch of stores. Thinking of getting one by this weekend.

HP LaserJet. No fuss; no muss. Look for a deal.

 

[97prizm]

Not me as I've got a Canon laser all in one and am happy with it. All I have is the starter cartridge and another one from a defunct printer of the same cartridge model, and I think that will last me for a while.

But my parents' old HP DeskJet just bit the dust. It won't turn on at all, although I suppose it could be something simple like a fuse. But it's old and probably ready for electronics recycling at this point.

But then I tried to explain what new printers are like - especially HP's Instant Ink program. They seem to have some sort of subscription model where their cartridges are enabled through the internet and where they stop working if the subscription lapses. And an oddball pages per month subscription plan. Then there's the included months, although that might be limited. I don't think my parents want to deal with that kind of thinking. Occasionally they have a lot of stuff to print at once even though they might not even turn it on for weeks at a time.

My dad is asking about HP's Smart Tank system. I wasn't quite sure how that worked since they claim 2/3 months ink, but I don't think it's any kind of subscription model with liquid refill ink. That might be a simple enough usage model compared to Instant Ink. Anyone have any experience with it? There's one on sale for $180 now at a bunch of stores. Thinking of getting one by this weekend.

I will say my epson stylus cx5000 was a fantastic ink jet printer for 15 years. It finally gave up a couple of months ago. I've read that their ink tank technology works well.

 

[y_p_w]

I will say my epson stylus cx5000 was a fantastic ink jet printer for 15 years. It finally gave up a couple of months ago. I've read that their ink tank technology works well.

It's got its good and bad parts. It really needs to be used. There's only a short distance between the ink in a cartridge and the print head, but there's a convoluted path (including tubing). If a cartridge gets clogged, it's an easy thing to install a new one, but I suppose there are replacement printheads for tank inkjets. Possibly aftermarket ones that are reconditioned.

But I think what a lot of people do now is use aftermarket remanufacturered cartridges. I remember all the warnings that it wasn't a "genuine" HP cartridge.

 

[97prizm]

It's got its good and bad parts. It really needs to be used. There's only a short distance between the ink in a cartridge and the print head, but there's a convoluted path (including tubing). If a cartridge gets clogged, it's an easy thing to install a new one, but I suppose there are replacement printheads for tank inkjets. Possibly aftermarket ones that are reconditioned.

But I think what a lot of people do now is use aftermarket remanufacturered cartridges. I remember all the warnings that it wasn't a "genuine" HP cartridge.

I will say that my Epson never printed correctly with aftermarket cartridges. There were several Cartridge World stores in Colorado ten years ago or so but they seemed to have gone away, maybe for a reason. I did have to print consistently to not get clogged print heads. There was supposedly a "reset tool" and refill kit but never figured out how it worked as Epson cartridges were supposedly pressurized.

 

[y_p_w]

So they've had the Canon G3270 since Monday and so far it's been pretty good. My mom needed to print up a few things and has noted that the print quality is way better than the HP using aftermarket refilled cartridges. It's often really slow processing pages to print, but that's not really a big issue. The dinky 1 inch display is hard to read, but my parents are pretty much never going to look at that. I could show them how to make a copy (only via the flatbed) although I'm not sure they can manage with the tiny screen and all the steps needed. It's also got this weird photo ID copy mode where one places something like a driver license and somehow copies both sides to the same page. I've done that before manually, but some things recommend it, like a copy of a parent's ID for a child's passport application.

https://oip.manual.canon/USRMA-0134-zz-CS-enUV/contents/CS4251_copy692_makingidcardcopies.html

I just wish these things were easier to set up. I could manage because I looked up videos before starting, but the average person is going to have issues setting up a connection to Wi-Fi. I think someone with a computer and USB connection is going to have an easier time. And the setup instructions that come in the box aren't really all that great.

 

[y_p_w]

So just an update. I've come over a few times and helped run cleaning cycles or maybe just a sample page just to get it working. But something it just gets stuck in a loop and needs to be turned off. And it can get really frustrating because it can take minutes before it resets and can print again. But I guess it could be worse. I had one Canon laser printer that just got stuck in an endless loop. And Canon offered to replace it since it was still in the warranty period but I couldn't find my receipt. But this one is still working and the amount of ink in the tanks looks like it will never be empty. Or at least I'm thinking the whole thing will conk out before it runs out of ink.

 

[Plumb Bob]

I love and hate my Brother. I really don't print much. The most irritating thing is how it decides to bop off the wireless network at will. But printing is reliable and decent. Why I have color, dunno?

I set up mine with a static IP, and problem solved.