New Epson R300 photo/disc printer just arrived...

[alenhard]

Got it for $179 at Staples.com. Everywhere else, including the Epson store, was completely out. I'll post tomorrow with some initial results. Cool thing about this printer (as compared to the 900 and 960 models) is that it has 6 individual ink cartridges as opposed to the two or whatever that the others have. So you only have to replace the ones that need it.

Installation was a no-brainer, although I was ticked that it didn't ship with a required USB cable. Luckily I had an extra...
It also ships with a variety of software (none that I cared for) and the photoshop PIM plugin. You can print your photos without even hooking it up to you computer from the flash memory readers (it reads everything except maybe the newer XD).

[bode]

Interesting to hear the results, let us know about colour accuracy ( assuming your monitor is properly calibrated). Perhaps you could compare the colours with inkjet photo quality paper?

Printers no longer come with USB leads. They assume you have one already, but more realistically it cuts their costs.

[marvel2020]

Just got the Epson 900 myself, and i'm more that happy with it. No need for another one

[alenhard]

The color is amazing, the quality much better than I ever would have expected. I was a little worried that I had expectations that were too high, but I am pleasantly surprised. I highly recommend this printer!

Disc printing takes about 3 minutes.

[alenhard]

@marvel:

I wanted the epson 900 but I couldn't find it anywhere, and I didn't want to pay $230 plus shipping to get it online because I know it should be cheaper. The individual ink cartridges and lower price sold me on the R300. Glad to hear the 900 is working for you.

[jgandara]

Have u tried to use generic no-brand ink cartridges? I'm interesed in your input about the printer.

I have an Epson Stylus Photo 820 and Epson Stylus Color 900. Do you know if I can use any of those models?.

Thanks

[alenhard]

I've still got plenty of ink left in the original cartridges, so I don't know yet about generic ones.

I'm not sure if I understand your second question, but if you are asking about using the ink cartridges from the 820 or 900 in the r300, I think your answer is no, because the r300 uses the six individual cartridges which I'm pretty sure are not the ones used in Epson's older printers.

[Dubber]

I'd NOT recommend getting generic ink as it tends to clog the heads on Epsons.... sometimes - for good, and I suspect it happens mostly 'cos the inks are of lesser quality AND 'cos they get MIXED with original ink inside the heads.
Canons seem to take generic inks with ease thou.

[jgandara]

My second questions was about using any of those printer models to print on CD media. Can I do that or do I need a specific printer model to do that? like the R300 or the 900 model

[pepegot1]

As far as generic inks are concerned, I have used "InkTec" cartridges, on my Epson 980 for two years, without any clogging or operational problems.
Twenty bucks for the Black & Color cartridges-good value and high quality.

[beric3236]

I hope I am not hijacking the this thread, but I do have one. The ink cartridges on the R300 have a computer chip that needs to be reset to refill like the Epson 900.

[jgandara]

pepegot1,
do you see any smear of the ink when you pass water on it? Can you use the spray discussed here somewhere, to keep the ink in place?

[pepegot1]

I have a couple of pictures that are over two years old-framed and they still look great. I did not place any water etc. to test them as alluded to above. Of couse, I keep them out of natural sunlight and uv, as that would, no doubt, affect them.

[Eldorado]

Anyone come accross any refill kits, or even refill instructions for the cartridges for the R300? The cartridge numbers are T048120 - T048520

Also wondering if there are any cartridges made for other models that would be compatible, I've seen some pictures of others and look basically the same..

[triphop]

pepegot1,
do you see any smear of the ink when you pass water on it? Can you use the spray discussed here somewhere, to keep the in
k in place?

Pass water on it?

[jgandara]

put a few drops of water on it. Where I live humidity condensation happens you know. Also, when I bought my Epson printer they mentioned that the ink was at some point waterproof . I tested that on paper, but I want to know if that's true for a CD.

Usually I'd buy some plastic covers to protect the old printable covers.