Printer for the road

lynnma

Good morning! I'm fed up with really cheap printers... I used to have a nice canon which has died and I'm using an HP but it goes through Ink in a millisecond - I don't want a scanner, or fax I just need a half decent (pref. Canon) printer that does not rely on ink sales to make it's profit. I'm thinking under $300... am I dreaming? or is this possible. Any help would be greatly appreciated. This is going in an RV so it needs to be compact and portable. I wont be using it that much but when I want to print... I want to print. HELP!:dunno
thank
p.s. I have looked online and am not seeing what I need...

DoctorIt

sorry Lynn, I think you are dreaming.

As far as I know, all non-pro level printers are going to rip through ink. And even when they don't eat it up, the Canon cartridges, I think, tend to dry up fast if not used in a certain amount of time. I went through the same battle in the last six months and I totally gave up (2 printers later). I ended up scrapping all the color inkjets and bought a cheapish monochrome laser printer for documents and all photos now come from Smugmug.

Wish I had a better answer for you.

ziggy53

Lynn,

I too prefer a printer only unit and my Epson business class printer is still going fine for me. Unfortunately, the best current value is an all-in-one unit, namely the Canon Pixma MP620. See the review at the link below, but since you can purchase one for right around $100USD, it uses "chrome" inks for outstanding color and durability and it uses ink judiciously, I think it is a real winner in current offerings.

Think of it as a printer/copier to justify its use for travel.

The link to a good review:

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRINT/MP620/MP620.HTM

Amazon's best price:

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-MP620-Wireless-Printer-2921B002/dp/B001DJ6C3G

lynnma

ziggy53 wrote:

Lynn,

I too prefer a printer only unit and my Epson business class printer is still going fine for me. Unfortunately, the best current value is an all-in-one unit, namely the Canon Pixma MP620. See the review at the link below, but since you can purchase one for right around $100USD, it uses "chrome" inks for outstanding color and durability and it uses ink judiciously, I think it is a real winner in current offerings.

Think of it as a printer/copier to justify its use for travel.

The link to a good review:

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRINT/MP620/MP620.HTM

Amazon's best price:

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-MP620-Wireless-Printer-2921B002/dp/B001DJ6C3G

thanks Erik (I think):D and thanks Ziggy.. stupid question but.... it does print 8x10ish size right?? it's not a compact compact? that only printe 4x6?
If it does, sounds like the perfect printer for me can't imagine it does'nt but nowhere does it mention that.

ziggy53

lynnma wrote:

thanks Erik (I think):D and thanks Ziggy.. stupid question but.... it does print 8x10ish size right?? it's not a compact compact? that only printe 4x6?
If it does, sounds like the perfect printer for me can't imagine it does'nt but nowhere does it mention that.

In this review:

http://www.digitalcamerareview.com/default.asp?newsID=3784

"I did not notice a difference of photo quality on the photo paper or the size. I tested the MP620 on Kodak High Gloss Photo Paper (8x10”), Canon Photo Paper Plus Glossy II (4x6”), and Office Depot Glossy Photo Paper (4x6”). The MP620 printed beautiful, vibrant 8x10s and 4x6s. I also used the MP620 to create multiple prints on an 8x10 sheet of photo paper with good results."

lynnma

ziggy53 wrote:

In this review:

http://www.digitalcamerareview.com/default.asp?newsID=3784

"I did not notice a difference of photo quality on the photo paper or the size. I tested the MP620 on Kodak High Gloss Photo Paper (8x10”), Canon Photo Paper Plus Glossy II (4x6”), and Office Depot Glossy Photo Paper (4x6”). The MP620 printed beautiful, vibrant 8x10s and 4x6s. I also used the MP620 to create multiple prints on an 8x10 sheet of photo paper with good results."

thanks so much... this helps a lot.

JohnBiggs

I've always used epson. How do the prints compare to epson 6color?

gryphonslair99

The wife has an Epson Picture mate printer that she loves. It only does 4X6 but that is what she is looking to print when she is out and about with it. It does make nice 4X6 prints.

ziggy53

JohnBiggs wrote:

I've always used epson. How do the prints compare to epson 6color?

I'm not sure there is a direct comparison. The ink technology is different as is the delivery system. They are both capable printers to be sure.

I too use an Epson printer, although it is an older printer at that. I do think I would very much like the chrome inks of the Canon for much of what I do. Flesh tones are where i would want to do some testing before offering prints for sale.