Stuck between couple of direct to cd printers

[kaygeez]

Hey guys... ive been doing alot of reading for the past month and half on direct to cd printing.

I've narrowed it down to these models, Canon MX850, IP4500, IP3500 and Eposon RX595.

What i'll be doing: print on cds (no dvds) in color, already have the media.

What i'm looking for: a printer thats CISS/refillable

From what i read, theres alot of conflicting specs on these printers (ie: some uses more ink then the other, quality issues, etc)

Hope you experts can guide me towards the rite purchase...

*btw, newegg has a killer deal on the 3500 for 35 bucks lol

[RWP]

Hi there - welcome aboard!

Of your list, only the Epson RX595 is a good candidate for CISS. There are several CIS-related threads here on that printer if you did a search. ALL the printers you listed have a good supply of inks, carts, chip resetters and auto-reset chips for refilling. If you stick with Hobbicolors or Image Specialist inks you’ll not have to worry about poor print performance.

The iP4500 is out of production but old stock might be found here and there. Some may be available on Ebay but prices have gone way up on these highly sought after printers. The MX-850 is still available most places and uses the same print engine as the iP4500 – but look for sales because its normal price is fairly high. Be aware that USA versions of the iP4500 and MX-850 are not factory equipped for DVD disc printing and will require an Ebay purchase of the disc tray and a firmware change to perform this function.

I can’t remember much about the iP3500 but there are other CD Freakers who can jump in here…

[RookieRipper]

The iP3500 does [B]not[/B] print to CD/DVD.

[kaygeez]

thanks RWP!

i think newegg has a recert. 850 for $115… since the 4500 and the 850 are similiar… ill just purchase this one… what do you guys think about the price for a recert.?

Rookie: thanks man, i dont know why i listed that printer there without checking if theres a tray available for it…

[RWP]

[quote=kaygeez;2261008]thanks RWP!

i think newegg has a recert. 850 for $115… since the 4500 and the 850 are similiar… ill just purchase this one… what do you guys think about the price for a recert.?

[/quote] Before buying the MX-850 recert make sure the price includes cartridges. I’ve read reports of them coming without ink. Also, better check ebay for supply of a disc tray for this model – it’s been awhile since the ip4500 mod craze and I don’t know what the current supply status is – assuming it takes the same CD tray…

[MSmart99]

it’s been awhile since the ip4500 mod craze and I don’t know what the current supply status is –

I just picked up a Canadian version iP4500 from ebay (from seller duo888). He seems to list one after the other so I’d say the supply is steady but the winning price fluctuates. Unfortunately mine was on the high side. The benefit of a Canadian version over US is that it comes with the tray and prints to DVD without a mod. I’ve only printed a few things but am LOVING it so far.

I just tonight picked up a US version, new in box but opened for 50 bucks off of craigslist as a backup (and for the ink).

I’m in the process of researching CISS systems for it. Am liking the Rihac one but don’t fancy having to “go to” AUS for it or the inks.

btw, I’m a former Epson user. I had an R200 and R220. The R220 just died as I couldn’t get the black ink nozzles unclogged. The R200 clogged before that so I decided to not go Epson again. I must say though, they did me well as I printed a ton with them. Yet, I think I made a good choice going with the Canon iP4500.

[RWP]

[quote=MSmart99;2261192]I just picked up a Canadian version iP4500 from ebay (from seller duo888). He seems to list one after the other so I’d say the supply is steady but the winning price fluctuates. Unfortunately mine was on the high side. The benefit of a Canadian version over US is that it comes with the tray and prints to DVD without a mod. I’ve only printed a few things but am LOVING it so far.

I just tonight picked up a US version, new in box but opened for 50 bucks off of craigslist as a backup (and for the ink).

I’m in the process of researching CISS systems for it. Am liking the Rihac one but don’t fancy having to “go to” AUS for it or the inks.

btw, I’m a former Epson user. I had an R200 and R220. The R220 just died as I couldn’t get the black ink nozzles unclogged. The R200 clogged before that so I decided to not go Epson again. I must say though, they did me well as I printed a ton with them. Yet, I think I made a good choice going with the Canon iP4500.[/quote]Sounds like you’re all set for at least a few years in Canon disc printers then.

PS - Been awhile since you’ve posted; nice to hear from you again - I remember you from the Pinnacle forums…

[RookieRipper]

[QUOTE=RWP;2261142]Before buying the MX-850 recert make sure the price includes cartridges. I’ve read reports of them coming without ink. Also, better check ebay for supply of a disc tray for this model – it’s been awhile since the ip4500 mod craze and I don’t know what the current supply status is – assuming it takes the same CD tray…[/QUOTE]

A friend of mine bought one of the recert. MX850 from NewEgg and it came with new ink cartridges. It uses the “F” tray (same as iP4500) of which there are plenty available on Ebay.

[MSmart99]

[QUOTE=RWP;2261212]Sounds like you’re all set for at least a few years in Canon disc printers then.

PS - Been awhile since you’ve posted; nice to hear from you again - I remember you from the Pinnacle forums… [/QUOTE]
Yes, once I get a CISS I will be.

Yep, that’s me. I knew it was you but I posted so late I didn’t get around to the pleasantries. Agreed, it’s been a while - glad to be back.

[kaygeez]

hey guys what do you think about the ip4300?

[kaygeez]

if all goes well, ill be picking up a 4500 (used) and a 4300 (NIB) tonight and let you guys know!

the cd tray is next to come.

thanks again!

[CDan]

[QUOTE=kaygeez;2262103]if all goes well, ill be picking up a 4500 (used) and a 4300 (NIB) tonight and let you guys know!

the cd tray is next to come.

thanks again![/QUOTE]

Be aware that while the ink tanks are interchangeable with those 2 printers, the print heads are not. Both will do a terrific job with discs, but the 4500 will be a tad quicker.

[kaygeez]

sweet! what about ciss systems? from whats posted, they dont work to well with canons?

[jflan]

[QUOTE=RookieRipper;2261291]A friend of mine bought one of the recert. MX850 from NewEgg and it came with new ink cartridges. It uses the “F” tray (same as iP4500) of which there are plenty available on Ebay.[/QUOTE]
There was an unfounded rumor started on Nifty-Stuff by an over-cautious e-shopper about this ink cartridge not included issue.
It has been proven over and over now that these Canon-recertified printers do indeed include ink.
The idea is to hook you on OEM ink, so it would make no sense whatsoever for Canon to release these recertified printers without ink.
The Canon-warranteed recerts come with ink

RR, thanks for the report.

[kaygeez]

well guys i got the ip4500 for $35! and just ordered the cd tray on ebay…

next research: ciss or refills

[kaygeez]

ok so ive been trying to enable it by following these instructions:

http://damnprinter.com/119/canon-pixma-ip4300-cd-printing-instructions.html

according to them, i should be getting this:

iP4200 EUR V1.04 {in cyan}

but i havent. what i do get is

SET=EUR

and the bottom barcode that says IP4500EUR

is this correct?

[jflan]

[QUOTE=kaygeez;2262366]ok so ive been trying to enable it by following these instructions:

http://damnprinter.com/119/canon-pixma-ip4300-cd-printing-instructions.html

according to them, i should be getting this:

iP4200 EUR V1.04 {in cyan}

but i havent. what i do get is

SET=EUR

and the bottom barcode that says IP4500EUR

is this correct?[/QUOTE]
That doesn’t seem correct…reporting as a different printer model ???
Try this:
http://www.cd-trays.com/pages/how_f_ip4300.html

[kaygeez]

jf just to let you know, i got the 4500… so im assuming its the same instructions…

[kaygeez]

did it again.

same thing… im assuming it worked since it does mention EUR and doesnt mention US anywhere… i guess ill wait for the tray to come…

[jflan]

[QUOTE=kaygeez;2262401]jf just to let you know, i got the 4500… so im assuming its the same instructions…[/QUOTE]
I wouldn’t assume that, just use the instruction set specific to the exact model number that you are working on.