JLWsales Epson R200 CIS Review

[pixiemom]

From what Macro and others have said, it looks like the PrintOnADime kit has a chipset that is superior to the JLWSales one. The drawback to the Printonadime kit is the very small size of the ink tanks, although they're getting larger ones in this week they're still too small.

There is one other style of CIS kit that has not been mentioned, and it has large tanks that are shaped completely differently than the JLWSales tanks but look to be even larger. The listing says they hold 120ml each color. The question is - what kind of chipset do they have, and are they the same as the Printonadime chipset? And do the carts have chambers? I can't tell.

You can find them here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=99322&item=6758806174&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=14303&item=6759174236&rd=1

NOTE: This kit does *not* have the routing pieces that Printonadime's and JLWSales' kits have, however. Could these routing pieces be made or substituted somehow?

Also, the JLWSales' tanks have two chambers. This new one does not have two chambers in the tanks, only one. Perhaps the carts have two chambers which makes up for it???

Please take a look and see if you've ever tried this system before, know anyone who has, would be interested in trying it, etc.

I do not have the money to try more than one CIS kit. When I buy mine, that will have to be my only kit. So I am avidly reading everything I can find on this forum, comparing what everyone is saying.

[pixiemom]

Here is one that is like the one above, but has brackets/routing pieces:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=1246&item=6758077392&rd=1

[macrovision]

Dear Pixiemom,
I use the printonadime CIS and I run a part-time DVD printing Buisness....I did 50 full color DVD's......30ml printonadime tanks....ink levels dropped slightly....I MEAN SLIGHTLY!!! At this point I'm not gonna be picky because I mass produce and my kit works better than my previous JLWSALES kit.....Not to brag or discourage...It doesn't auto clean....I leave it for a day or two and my nozzle check is perfect...it autoresets at 10% and turning off the printer for the autoreset isn't neccesary or recommended......the refill process is a pain unless you get the recommended squeeze bottles...I'm gonna order them.....And the kit comes with an instructional video cd....I love this kit...My JLWSALES Kit was such a pain...I'm gonna cut the hoses...buy another printonadime kit and combine the two so I'll have larger tanks,superior autoreset chips,and chambered cartridges. If you print more than me...(About 20 full color DVD's a day) then you need larger tanks....Just a thought

[macrovision]

Pixiemom,I forgot to state...alot of these cis kits are using carts that aren't see through....You cannot tell if the carts have chambers if you can't see through them....I read the link you supplied...it say's that the carts autoresets but it doesn't state if the levels will be at 100%...if so then it will do an autocleaning because the printer will think that a new cart has been installed...It also states that you'll need to do a head-cleaning instead of priming....Hope you got a waste-ink set-up because we don't want to do head cleanings...unless you got the waste ink mod in place!

[qlizard]

ok, been following this awhile and have the r200 (love it).
Want to buy the printonadime unit. Can't find it on ebay and can't buy it from their site. In fact their site is pretty shoddy. Are they sold out or what?

[macrovision]

Qlizard E-Mail printonadime here....mailtofficerbaker@atlanticbb.net and for Ebay I'll get you a link to one of their products in a little while....You gotta look around...I know what to look for...Be back soon.....Oh! their web site is shoddy!! 8)

[macrovision]

I went to Ebay and guess what...no printonadime???? Yeah right!!! This kit is EXACTLY the same...Even from the same city and state as printonadime...CUMBERLAND,MARYLAND!!!! I think this is the same company and the CIS is manufactured in China or Japan...It's symbol on the tanks are BLUE FLY...Guess that's the Manufacturer's Name or logo...Anyway here's the link QLIZARD http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=1246&item=6758885058&rd=1

[pixiemom]

Hmmm...... his website says he uses special ink which gives the ability to use a pigment-like ink in the Durabrite system: "Printforless sells Pigment based ink that is similar to Dura Brite and can be used in almost any Epson printer. That will give you Dura Brite results in a R300 printer." Does that mean it will be *waterproof*?

[pixiemom]

Thanks Macro for your quick replies to my questions! Yes, I definitely plan on having the waste-ink mod set up before I ever install any ink carts in my printer.

Yes, I think I will need larger tanks than 30ml, even 70ml doesn't sound large enough.... I'd prefer 100ml or 130ml like the other set. Maybe we could write to the seller of the other kit and ask when the chips reset, if they're 100% or 90%.

[macrovision]

Sounds good Pixiemom...however I've used durabrite ink and can tell from experience that it's not waterproof when printing DVD's...I've heard about glossy DVD printables and I'm gonna start looking for them...I think it's the "matte" thing that does not truly asorb the ink...I use dryer sheets and Krylon clear gloss spray....I spray a little gloss on the dryer sheet...start from the center of the DVD...In a circular motion work my way to the edge....But first I place the dvd in a dvd case to protect the recorded side of the disc...always careful not to have the dryer sheet dripping!!!! never a complaint...not when I test...not when I sell...my consumers are regular...Their not afraid to tell me about any problems...they love the Ritek media quality vs. generic brand media quality...Maybe contacting the manufacturer will be a good Idea however you should also ask about the cartridge construction....JLWSALES are hollow and doesn't have an outlet port valve, It has a cheap peice of rubber that gets damaged easily...I think this is also why people that use his kit have problems when not using the printer for a couple of days...With the Epson "R" line an air tight seal is neccesary because the printer charges the carts when powered on...(that would be the high pitch hiss you hear during the self test at power on).

[macrovision]

P.S. Pixiemom....Read what ultraman posted at the top of this page...It's a comment about a statement I made on page 22...The R800 uses pigment Ink...You'll know the rest from ultraman's statement.

[macrovision]

Pixiemom...Check out page 18...Interesting you posted there....but look toward the bottom...A post by talus should get your attention...THE SAME KIT YOUR INQUIRING ABOUT....Hummm...Interesting.... 8)

[Talus]

Pixiemom and others:

Just wanted to let you know that I have the system that you inquired about. I can't say anything about the chipset except that I don't believe that the system cleans on start up. But then again, I rarely turn my printer off. I also have not printed anything for about 4-6 days while leaving the printer on. This has not resulted in any problems (ie, colors drying up, tubes clogging.)

Maybe I'm just lucky . . .

The only time I've cleaned was on the initial start up. This helped pull the ink from the reservoir through the tubes and filled the cartridges.

I stated on page 18 of my mounting system. I was going to install a waste bottle, but have been too busy. (I can't seem to see the pix anymore on page 18 with my browser. Can anyone else? Is this a browser issue?)

I have printed over 50 dvds and accompanying jackets. Also have printed about 20 8X10 photos in full color. About 30 4X6 photos. I would say that my ink reservoirs have dropped about 1/3 of original volume, which blows my mind. I would have thought it would have been a lot more!

This is a single chamber system on the RESERVOIR (not sure about the cartridges). When it comes time to refill, I will pop off the air filter and inject in this port using a syringe.

The following statement is only my opinion:

My brother now wants a CIS system and I'm advising him to look for one similar to mine. This is only because I've a had an easy time with setup and no clogging problems. I have told him not to buy jlwsales because of the issues posted on previous pages, but also on refilling of the reservoir, there is no tilting of the chambers needed.

I don't want to take anything away from jlwsales because there is one thing consistant on these pages: excellent customer support! Any questions, I'll be glad to help!
Talus

[MBMan]

Macrovision,

When you DID use the JLWSales CIS, had you determined a default setting for the colour controls? If so, could you please post the values here?

To any CANUCKS who MAY be wondering about duties/Taxes. I got a letter from FEDEX today, they want $10.85 --> GST 1.68, PST 1.68, Advancement Fee 7.00, GST (on fee) 0.49 - total $10.85. This was based on $20 US listed on the waybill.

[habs01]

Macrovision,

When you DID use the JLWSales CIS, had you determined a default setting for the colour controls? If so, could you please post the values here?

To any CANUCKS who MAY be wondering about duties/Taxes. I got a letter from FEDEX today, they want $10.85 --> GST 1.68, PST 1.68, Advancement Fee 7.00, GST (on fee) 0.49 - total $10.85. This was based on $20 US listed on the waybill.

I guess that's new or you were just unlucky. No such fee when I ordered mine in Quebec (january).

[qlizard]

I went to Ebay and guess what...no printonadime???? Yeah right!!! This kit is EXACTLY the same...Even from the same city and state as printonadime...CUMBERLAND,MARYLAND!!!! I think this is the same company and the CIS is manufactured in China or Japan...It's symbol on the tanks are BLUE FLY...Guess that's the Manufacturer's Name or logo...Anyway here's the link QLIZARD http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=1246&item=6758885058&rd=1

Thanks, macro for the link. I noticed these are 50 ml tanks, while the original from printonadime had 30 ml and they were supposed to get in 70 ml. Do you still think its the same company even though they have 50 ml tanks?

[macrovision]

Qlizard, They (manufacturers) Like to use the term "Sister company", Yeah I think it's the same copmany.....Same system make....Symbols and everything except supposibly the size of the tanks....I'm not new to the game...I'm true to the game!!!! MBMan, I used the system default...On the numberline pop-up when print is selected I used +1 or +2..... In the advanced controls I selected photo Enhance mode and I selected Hard for the sharpness....If you have to print a sample photo on glossy paper and compare the output to the original and adjust colors accordingly....I used the JLWSALES kit for the last time about a month ago...then I bought a printonadime kit because the JLWSALES kit started to leak when I accidently dropped them...(about a 5 inch drop onto a carpeted floor...who would have known)

[macrovision]

I'm very satified with my printonadime kit...It doesn't use a lot ofink like the jlwsales kit....when I first used the jlwsales kit it literaly ate ink....then I have a leak in the cyan cart...contacted jlwsales about 20 times via E-Mail and they sent me a replacement cart with no installation instructions.....I improvised and it worked...the printer seemed to use less ink...the replacement cart also has chambers like the OEM carts and it has a real outlet valve...not a cheap peice of rubber...It still works till this day but It was so much of a pain that I decided to buy a new CIS kit...(the other carts would leak here and there...for no apparent reason and the printer gave error messages because the waste ink gears got sticky from the leaks and constant power-up auto-cleanings....The printer monitors the movement of the waste pad and if the don't move according to the pre-programmed timing it will flash the ink and paper lights..and tell you "GENERAL ERROR" lucilly I'm a technician...I had to remove the waste pad(careful there's a hose underneath it) remove the gears and clean all...gotta go!!!

[///m]

I've had it with my JLW... The cartridges leak, and a poor design, the chips give random errors, what a POS. I'm ready to try something new...

[pixiemom]

Good grief!!!!! What an eloquent picture!!!

[pixiemom]

By the way, I've been talking to the gentleman from Printforless. He is *not* the same company as Printonadime. Printonadime is run by his brother-in-law. They do carry the same kits, though.

www.Printforless.tk is a much nicer website than printonadime's. He has good customer service and is very responsive to questions. He carries more kits than are pictured on the website, too. He has kits with 100ml tanks, as well as 70ml and 50ml.

[pixiemom]

Thanks, Macro and Talus, for your great input! I am still avidly reading everything I can before I make the final decision.

[macrovision]

I told you guy's from experience..."you get what you pay for....If it sounds or looks too good to be true...then most likely it is". I've switched my kit and I'll never go back...I might even forget about modding my jlwsales kit and just throw it away...It depends on the cost...I might use modded OEM carts if I can find the connectors...Colorbat.com used to sell them but when I recieved my order the ticket stated the those connectors were discontinued...What A B**CH!!! Modding is Easy...Getting the fittings maybe a task!!!

[macrovision]

I'm glad I'm a technician...I'm gonna mod myself soon then you guy's can call me GEEK BOY!!!! Anyway I've never been happier printing and Pixiemom did you ask if they can accomidate you special Request...Maybe you can buy special tanks and printforless can apply the carts and tubing for you....Colorbat.com use to do this...Nick is the owner...He told me that they stopped because consumers would use them for a while and then request a refund when their finished...Also I've seen CIS kits that have hoses from the printer into gallon jugs...I can't figure out how the printer gets the ink...Ours uses gravity...theirs don't.

[///m]

I told you guy's from experience..."you get what you pay for....If it sounds or looks too good to be true...then most likely it is".

macrovision,

I got this kit a long time ago when there were no other viable CIS systems on the market. And it was NOT cheap at the time.

[macrovision]

Funny thing...my printonadime kit reset itself however the ink monitor read 100% and the F***ing printer did an auto cleaning twice....Don't worry I'm not as mad as I think...I noticed that this is the only time it's done that.....I'll be okay...I think!

[macrovision]

///m...I understand your troubles...I had the same problem and I'm not wealthy....I replaced my R200 and the JLWSALES kit at the same time...the printer died because of that kit...and the $200 I spent to replace it PISSED me off because I could have done better things with that money...now my Girl is B**ching and moaning about how I spend and what I spend on....SHE needs and I would have given it to her rather that printonadime...I wish I had shopped around like Pixiemom's doing however I run a small Buisness and I couldn't wait for the repair shop to fix it and I'll be damned if I'm gonna spend money for parts to service a machine thats still under warranty...Tech's don't do that,We let the manufacturers deal with it.

[qlizard]

By the way, I've been talking to the gentleman from Printforless. He is *not* the same company as Printonadime. Printonadime is run by his brother-in-law. They do carry the same kits, though.

www.Printforless.tk is a much nicer website than printonadime's. He has good customer service and is very responsive to questions. He carries more kits than are pictured on the website, too. He has kits with 100ml tanks, as well as 70ml and 50ml.

why is this so difficult. Now I can't this site to come up...

[macrovision]

Qlizard...It won't work for me Either......I also wanna know why Printonadime said my kit would reset to 90% and instead it reset 100%..However it still doesn't do cleanings when I turn it on and off....Maybe it went back to 100% because I took the carts out right before it reset...I was testing some OEM carts to see if they still worked...Haven't used them for months...They still worked, I thought the ink would have clumped up even though I wrapped them in plastic.

[pixiemom]

I think the site wasn't coming up because it was being redesigned/reloaded. When I was there earlier today, the graphics and layout were different. I tried it just now, and he's added some new background graphics and some additional items.