I nearly bought one of these until I learned a fatal flaw in its design: It purges its ink jet heads into an absorbing sponge. What can you do when this sponge fills up? They don’t sell replacements, and so you’d think you can just wash the ink out or buy an off brand sponge that works, right? Wrong. They have a software counter that corresponds with when the sponge should be full. Once you’ve flushed your print heads that number of times, the machine effectively bricks itself and no longer prints. This isn’t a problem in the short term, but the printer does have an artificially short lifespan. Long term ownership just isn’t really possible unless you never flush the print heads, which you will, given the nature of the technology. Other than this, it is a good printer.
Bought the Epson ET-2800 a couple of months ago so I don't have a point of reference for how long the ink will last. I print a lot of photos so I hope I get my money's worth. This model has a very, very small screen that is used to change settings such as paper size and quality, photo prints or not and such things but....I have to set these parameters on this tiny screen AND in the software. I would not have purchased this model had I known that. Never had to change settings in software and hardware with any other printer. A real pain. I thought when I did the set up that I missed something but Epson support confirmed this. I can't understand why the software wouldn't just over ride the hardware settings. The screen is only 1X1 inches!
Thank you for the detailed review. I hate my cheap cannon printer, I was constantly running out of ink after one use. I print mostly colorful worksheets for my kids to do. I was looking for a new affordable printer, was deciding between this and the HP. I also wanted to print photographs as well as have it wireless for my laptop. I hope it works out! This video was helpful. Curious how long the ink will last with printing in color. My first project is about 50-80 pages in color.. we will see
My epson artisan is around 10 years old but is fully air print compatible and has both letter and photo trays. I recently had to empty out the waste tray/sponge and pay for a hack to bypass the automatic printer end-of-life obsolescence “feature”
Thank you :) I just ordered one. My old basic printer is about to die and I found this one at Staples still at 179.00...204.00 with an extra black bottle. I mainly use it to print shipping labels and packing slips for my Etsy shop. My old printer (with no scanner) has been costing me 466.00 per year in ink alone. I'll mainly use it in standard mode, so this should save me more than it cost, in one year :) I'm already thinking of much better things I could use the 400.00 ink savings for in the years to follow.
I am with Lon on the laser printer. I seldom print any more, but my toner cartridge just lasts and lasts. I'm guessing mine is getting close to 10 years old.
Yes, a laser printer is the way to go for those seldom print jobs. The ink/toner is already dry, so nothing to dry out. They are far more expensive to purchase but you'll be saving a ton on not getting replacement ink cartridges or bottles. Sucks when you need to print something and your cartridges are dried out.
Thanks for the thorough review. I appreciate the info on Mac compatibility and functions. I'd love to see a review of higher end bottle-refillable printer(s) for printing on larger format and heavy cardstock -- straight paper paths, 11" x 17" and larger, suitable for printing graphics and photos (but not necessarily archival quality art photos).
Hello. i ve got the proble that the ink and paper led blinks up. There is no paper jam and ink is full its the 2811 one. tried to reset but it doesnt for . This morning the problem didnt exist. Could you help me out please? thx
Hey Lon! Just saw that Brother introduced a new "tank" printer inkjet lineup called INKvestment. We've had great luck with Brother in the past and these models are cheaper compared to similar Epsons in the ecoTank lineup... Would love to see a review before we pull the trigger on our next color printer!
I have an ET-2850 purchased a few years ago. No problems whatsoever printing natively via WiFi from an iPad using the built-in print function so I would assume an iPhone wouldn’t have any issues also. As such, I’m surprised that the printer in the review supposedly doesn’t support it.
Thanks so much! Lon …about no ability to air print…does that mean I couldn’t print a photo stored on my iPhone or iPad? Or a doc from my pages or numbers app on my iPhone? All the reviews say printing from an iPhone is simple so you’ve confused me.
I have an ET-2850 purchased several years ago. At least on that model, no problems at all printing wirelessly from an iPad using the built-in printing function so an iPhone should work just fine.
Lon, we do Not use our printer that often and also we don't print in color that much at all and wanted to ask if this can be set up / switched to only print in B&W as an option as some printers are not able to toggle to that option? TIA
I paid 200 and only had it a few months never even git through the first ink its full will not connect to wifi just flashes all bottons wont reset nothing cant even find it on the app to clean the heads i should get a refund its ridiculous it will not even turn off just flashes
I saw this video about a similar Epson model where the ink absorber is not replaceable. I wonder if your model is the same way? Regardless, if you don't print often and have to use the cleaning function to print properly often, don't get an ink jet printer: czcams.com/video/6HUazpXWRYo/video.html
WARNING: This is the biggest piece of garbage I have ever purchased. made about 100 copies in 3 months then the ink return tank on the back was full and it stops working, at this point you have to return it to Epson, you can not replace or service the ink return tank on the back. you have to ship it to Epson and only if the warranty is valid. first they sent me the wrong return code that Staples didn't recognize. then they sent me the proper return code. I returned it, got it back fixed. then 3 months later the ink return tank on the back was full again and the warranty was over. There is no way to fix it and it cost $100 plus shipping to refurbish it so now it's in landfill after 200 copies. that's $1 per copy. do not buy this piece of garbage (P.S. It took 3 different phone calls, 2 different trips to staples to do all this and 6 weeks to wait for it to come back just to make 100 more copies)
I nearly bought one of these until I learned a fatal flaw in its design: It purges its ink jet heads into an absorbing sponge. What can you do when this sponge fills up? They don’t sell replacements, and so you’d think you can just wash the ink out or buy an off brand sponge that works, right? Wrong. They have a software counter that corresponds with when the sponge should be full. Once you’ve flushed your print heads that number of times, the machine effectively bricks itself and no longer prints. This isn’t a problem in the short term, but the printer does have an artificially short lifespan. Long term ownership just isn’t really possible unless you never flush the print heads, which you will, given the nature of the technology. Other than this, it is a good printer.
Damn, that is a dealbreaker. This kind of behavior should be illegal.
Exactly what I was about to post. Epson has reduced the price of these because they're built to self-destruct!
I will be following up with the company on this.
@@LonSeidman Please, write back as soon as you get some info from them.
Saw a video suggesting a download that can reset the counter. Maybe you can search for it.
I have owned the ET-3700 for years. Just love it. It just, keeps on working.
This is the best review I've seen so far!! Ive been searching for print test and nothings been good until know, thank you so much
Bought the Epson ET-2800 a couple of months ago so I don't have a point of reference for how long the ink will last. I print a lot of photos so I hope I get my money's worth. This model has a very, very small screen that is used to change settings such as paper size and quality, photo prints or not and such things but....I have to set these parameters on this tiny screen AND in the software. I would not have purchased this model had I known that. Never had to change settings in software and hardware with any other printer. A real pain. I thought when I did the set up that I missed something but Epson support confirmed this. I can't understand why the software wouldn't just over ride the hardware settings. The screen is only 1X1 inches!
You’ve convinced me to go with a laser printer. I do very little printing and I hate inkjet printers. Thanks for that.
I just saw an Epson commercial with Shaq & now this. I guess I have to make a purchase for a new one
Thank you for the detailed review. I hate my cheap cannon printer, I was constantly running out of ink after one use. I print mostly colorful worksheets for my kids to do. I was looking for a new affordable printer, was deciding between this and the HP. I also wanted to print photographs as well as have it wireless for my laptop. I hope it works out! This video was helpful. Curious how long the ink will last with printing in color. My first project is about 50-80 pages in color.. we will see
My epson artisan is around 10 years old but is fully air print compatible and has both letter and photo trays. I recently had to empty out the waste tray/sponge and pay for a hack to bypass the automatic printer end-of-life obsolescence “feature”
This is awesome!! Thank you! Especially like your detailed report on setting it up!
Thank you :) I just ordered one. My old basic printer is about to die and I found this one at Staples still at 179.00...204.00 with an extra black bottle. I mainly use it to print shipping labels and packing slips for my Etsy shop. My old printer (with no scanner) has been costing me 466.00 per year in ink alone. I'll mainly use it in standard mode, so this should save me more than it cost, in one year :)
I'm already thinking of much better things I could use the 400.00 ink savings for in the years to follow.
I am with Lon on the laser printer. I seldom print any more, but my toner cartridge just lasts and lasts. I'm guessing mine is getting close to 10 years old.
Yeah just get a cheap mono laser, and go the print shop or library for color prints.
Yes, a laser printer is the way to go for those seldom print jobs. The ink/toner is already dry, so nothing to dry out. They are far more expensive to purchase but you'll be saving a ton on not getting replacement ink cartridges or bottles. Sucks when you need to print something and your cartridges are dried out.
...so professional...so simple...so honest...thank you for your effort...
Thanks for the thorough review. I appreciate the info on Mac compatibility and functions. I'd love to see a review of higher end bottle-refillable printer(s) for printing on larger format and heavy cardstock -- straight paper paths, 11" x 17" and larger, suitable for printing graphics and photos (but not necessarily archival quality art photos).
Thanks for your input.
I just bought one today.
I've been shopping for a new printer. I want one that can scan and print, isn't huge and doesn't look like cheap piece of crap.
Hello. i ve got the proble that the ink and paper led blinks up. There is no paper jam and ink is full its the 2811 one. tried to reset but it doesnt for . This morning the problem didnt exist. Could you help me out please? thx
Hey Lon! Just saw that Brother introduced a new "tank" printer inkjet lineup called INKvestment. We've had great luck with Brother in the past and these models are cheaper compared to similar Epsons in the ecoTank lineup... Would love to see a review before we pull the trigger on our next color printer!
I will check it out!
Turn my printer into a eco solvent printer , got it on sale for black Friday
I have an ET-2850 purchased a few years ago. No problems whatsoever printing natively via WiFi from an iPad using the built-in print function so I would assume an iPhone wouldn’t have any issues also. As such, I’m surprised that the printer in the review supposedly doesn’t support it.
Yes that's because the ET-2850 supports airprint and this one doesn't :). Epson likely didn't want to pay a licensing fee to keep the cost down on it.
@@LonSeidman ok, thanks. The 2400 also uses black dye ink while the 2850 uses better pigmented ink.
Ok then what format do I convert to so my iPhone, iPad and Mac air book can document will print from this printer?
Thanks so much! Lon …about no ability to air print…does that mean I couldn’t print a photo stored on my iPhone or iPad? Or a doc from my pages or numbers app on my iPhone? All the reviews say printing from an iPhone is simple so you’ve confused me.
I have an ET-2850 purchased several years ago. At least on that model, no problems at all printing wirelessly from an iPad using the built-in printing function so an iPhone should work just fine.
Lon, we do Not use our printer that often and also we don't print in color that much at all and wanted to ask if this can be set up / switched to only print in B&W as an option as some printers are not able to toggle to that option?
TIA
If you're not printing often I'd suggest a laser printer
which laser makes and models would you recommend in the $150-200 range?
Does the printed sheet tray auto extend /open then the printer starts to print?
I avoid printing on both sides of the paper. Duplex printers tend to jam on me
I paid 200 and only had it a few months never even git through the first ink its full will not connect to wifi just flashes all bottons wont reset nothing cant even find it on the app to clean the heads i should get a refund its ridiculous it will not even turn off just flashes
I saw this video about a similar Epson model where the ink absorber is not replaceable. I wonder if your model is the same way? Regardless, if you don't print often and have to use the cleaning function to print properly often, don't get an ink jet printer: czcams.com/video/6HUazpXWRYo/video.html
Lon. Does it work with Ubuntu?
Will it print on cardstock?
Yes :)
👍......good stuff
WARNING: This is the biggest piece of garbage I have ever purchased. made about 100 copies in 3 months then the ink return tank on the back was full and it stops working, at this point you have to return it to Epson, you can not replace or service the ink return tank on the back. you have to ship it to Epson and only if the warranty is valid. first they sent me the wrong return code that Staples didn't recognize. then they sent me the proper return code. I returned it, got it back fixed. then 3 months later the ink return tank on the back was full again and the warranty was over. There is no way to fix it and it cost $100 plus shipping to refurbish it so now it's in landfill after 200 copies. that's $1 per copy. do not buy this piece of garbage (P.S. It took 3 different phone calls, 2 different trips to staples to do all this and 6 weeks to wait for it to come back just to make 100 more copies)
Soo I can’t print off my iphone😮🙄😞Nope, I’m not buying this…
you can with the app
Was a Yay or Nay. Too long. Lol
They are a scam actually.
Nice vid. Do u do any reviews on toner printers?
See all of my printer reviews: lon.tv/printers