Printer cartridges and chips
 

I'm still trying to decide on a printer but in my searches I've come across references to chips. Some time ago I recall a thread,possibly in DCMag, which debated restricted use of cartridges and I think referred to chips. Can anyone advise me on whether or not all manufacturers use these and if not which ones don't? If all do is there anyway of getting round their stopping you using up all the ink? Is this a problem at all or just a pigment of my imagination!! ;)
Dagwood

I guess most manufacturers use chips on their refills now in an attempt to commit people to their more expensive own brands. When I first got my Canon Pixma 5200 r I could only get Canon original inks. In time 3rd party producers developed a refill tank and tools to remove the chip from the original , replace it on the 3rd party and use again though had to disregard warnings telling me it was still empty. Afetr a while longer 3rd party ink makers supplied tanks with their own chips allowing use as easily as the originals. I use 3rd party all the time now and get them at 1/6th the price and less of Canon inks. There is no visble difference in print quality / colours but I am guessing there would be in terms of print life. That said I do not do much home printing - if I want a hard copy I want the best and go to a local printer.

The newer the printer the more likely it will be harder to find 3rd party chipped refills. That said use of them voids your warranty so I would stick with originals in the guarantee period anyway. Find the printer you want and search online for cost of originals and 3rd party and chip issues. They do vary.

Can't talk for others but the Epsons I've used in the last few years have been chipped. I simply bought a re-chipper on ebay for about £3.50

When the printer reports the cartridge has run out, you just remove it, hold the contacts against the chipper & it resets it, put it back in the printer & the printer thinks its full again.

The only problem is that after it's been rechipped the only way you know it's running out is when the physical print looks like it's missing that colour, but you do get quite a few extra prints out of it.

Thanks guys for your replies and advice. No decision as yet but leaning heavily towards the Pixma MG6150
Dagwood