Epson Stylus 895 Printer

[Wolfgang]

Can the Epson Stylus 895 Printer be used to print normal day to day documents?

[jeff chen]

Wolfie, the answer to that is yes. I assume u are talking abt documents from microsoft Words, Excel and Powerpoint etc...

[Wolfgang]

Quote: Originally posted by jeff chen Wolfie, the answer to that is yes. I assume u are talking abt documents from microsoft Words, Excel and Powerpoint etc...

I see. Thanks. But would it be prudent? As in, would it be economical to do so?

[YSLee]

Doubt it. Nothing like a laser printer for printing documents. =D

[Wolfgang]

Quote: Originally posted by YSLee Doubt it. Nothing like a laser printer for printing documents. =D

Hehe.. can't afford one. Not at moment anyway...

[ckiang]

Quote: Originally posted by Wolfgang Hehe.. can't afford one. Not at moment anyway...

If you do a lot of B&W document printing, get a laser. The lower end ones are not that expensive.

Regards
CK

[Wolfgang]

well, i won't be doing ~alot~ document printing...

Will also be using it to print photos as well you see...

[Wolfgang]

Anyone actually owns this printer in particular and has anything good or bad to say about it?

[eug]

Most economical is HP.

[Wolfgang]

Quote: Originally posted by eug Most economical is HP.

In terms of ink consumption?

What abt the printing speed? Saw the Epson 3100 in action and i was quite impressed with it's speed... How does the 895 compre in terms of printing speed?

Anyone?

[eug]

Not just ink consumption, you don't have to worry about buying print heads when it spoils as every new ink catridge from HP comes with a print head. Whe Epson or Canon print head gets clog up or spoil you got to change the print head which cost close to a 100. I have been using 3 different generations of HP printers. I have been very happy using them as they are fast and give good print out on normal paper.

[Wolfgang]

Quote: Originally posted by eug Not just ink consumption, you don't have to worry about buying print heads when it spoils as every new ink catridge from HP comes with a print head. Whe Epson or Canon print head gets clog up or spoil you got to change the print head which cost close to a 100. I have been using 3 different generations of HP printers. I have been very happy using them as they are fast and give good print out on normal paper.

Hey Eug, thanks for the feedback.

[Zerstorer]

Quote: Originally posted by Wolfgang In terms of ink consumption? What abt the printing speed? Saw the Epson 3100 in action and i was quite impressed with it's speed... How does the 895 compre in terms of printing speed? Anyone?

The CX3100 is a 4 color soho printer that churns out documents much faster than any 6 color photo printer.

If you are looking at photo printing, a Epson 830 or HP7150 would be a good low cost solution. You don't need a 895 for that it you don't need the roll paper holder, paper cutter and direct print.

As to which is more economical depends on your usage. The additional cost of the HP cartridges will soon add up to a new printhead for the epson after about 7sets of cartridges.

Also, bear in mind that the new HP Photosmart printers require 3 sets of cartridges(1 black, 1 tricolour(document only), 1 photocolour)

Besides ink cost, you might also want to consider paper types and compatibility. Epson Premium ($24/20) papers are good for both HP and Epson printers that I've tried and are also waterfast once dry. A cheaper alternative would be the Ilford Gallerie series $19/25. The reverse isn't true for the HP colorlife papers...they are not waterfast although they have the currently highest rated longevity~75years.($32/20)

[Wolfgang]

Quote: Originally posted by Zerstorer The CX3100 is a 4 color soho printer that churns out documents much faster than any 6 color photo printer. If you are looking at photo printing, a Epson 830 or HP7150 would be a good low cost solution. You don't need a 895 for that it you don't need the roll paper holder, paper cutter and direct print. As to which is more economical depends on your usage. The additional cost of the HP cartridges will soon add up to a new printhead for the epson after about 7sets of cartridges. Also, bear in mind that the new HP Photosmart printers require 3 sets of cartridges(1 black, 1 tricolour(document only), 1 photocolour) Besides ink cost, you might also want to consider paper types and compatibility. Epson Premium ($24/20) papers are good for both HP and Epson printers that I've tried and are also waterfast once dry. A cheaper alternative would be the Ilford Gallerie series $19/25. The reverse isn't true for the HP colorlife papers...they are not waterfast although they have the currently highest rated longevity~75years.($32/20)

Nicely covered mate. Thanks. Abit more enlightened than before...

But my main concern is if the 895 good for dual purpose use, you see, is in, used for printing out documents, and at the same time, printing photos as and when the need arises...

PS: This printer give you the option of slotting the memory card/s in an dprinting direct. I was wondering if these slots can be double up as a card reader?

Kinldy advise...

[Zerstorer]

Quote: Originally posted by Wolfgang Nicely covered mate. Thanks. Abit more enlightened than before... But my main concern is if the 895 good for dual purpose use, you see, is in, used for printing out documents, and at the same time, printing photos as and when the need arises...

The thing is that you would be spending ~$150 more for features that you may not need. There isn't much to consider if you want text printing...most photo printers are horrible at it, even the new HP photosmart series seem somewhat slower.

If you usage is primarily text then you can consider the CX3100/5x00 Epson printers(fax/scanner/printer) all in 1. They really offer great soho performance for the money and they do remarkable(for a 4 colouir) photos as well. Slight dithering only when u scrutinize close up.

Or if you don't need the extras...can consider the Epson Cx2 series which are speed demons for text printing and use pigment inks, which means your photos/documents are waterfast and resist fade, even on normal paper.

[Zerstorer]

Quote: Originally posted by Wolfgang PS: This printer give you the option of slotting the memory card/s in an dprinting direct. I was wondering if these slots can be double up as a card reader? Kinldy advise...

I'm not sure if it can work that way..but even so it would be a bad idea. These printers are USB1.1 only so even if they could be used in such a role it wouldn't be faster than transferring from your camera.

Also, direct print is usually much more limited and doesn't allow you to optimize your prints compared to printing from PC. Its really meant for consumers who don't want to be forced to think or even make any decisions. I'm not sure I want to do that when ink and paper cost is rather substantial!

The key advantage of the 895 is actually the roll paper adaptor and the paper cutter which is useful only when you want to do large scale printing from paper rolls.

BTW, shouldn't this be in the new Printer and Scanner forum????

[Wolfgang]

Once again, sound advise and tips all round. Thanks.

But if someone were to offer a 895 to me brand new, still boxed @ about $350 or where abouts, would it be worth it?

PS: How much is a paper roll anyway? And the inks that are used by the Epson 895, is it costly?



Kindly advise.

[Zerstorer]

Rolled paper is slightly cheaper pre-cut A4 or 4R sheets the last time I checked. Can't remember the exact price. You can find that out in Funan->South Asia computing or this shop in SLS 6 floor that deals mainly in printer paper.

If I remember correctly, the Epson 895 uses the same TQ007/008 cartridges as my old Photo870.

It should cost you about $28 for each cartridge and it should be good for about 20 A4 prints or so. More or less depending if you have a large expense of single colours.

You have to determine the worth yourself, whether you need the extra features. The 830 can be had for slightly over $200 now in most stores(RRP is $239 but can find for less or with freebies) or if you know someone with Starhub Cable gift voucher..can buy it for $169 before end of April.

A photo printer is well worth the price if you forsee yourself churning out about 40 A4 photos or more.

[Wolfgang]

Quote: Originally posted by Zerstorer Rolled paper is slightly cheaper pre-cut A4 or 4R sheets the last time I checked. Can't remember the exact price. You can find that out in Funan->South Asia computing or this shop in SLS 6 floor that deals mainly in printer paper. If I remember correctly, the Epson 895 uses the same TQ007/008 cartridges as my old Photo870. It should cost you about $28 for each cartridge and it should be good for about 20 A4 prints or so. More or less depending if you have a large expense of single colours. You have to determine the worth yourself, whether you need the extra features. The 830 can be had for slightly over $200 now in most stores(RRP is $239 but can find for less or with freebies) or if you know someone with Starhub Cable gift voucher..can buy it for $169 before end of April. A photo printer is well worth the price if you forsee yourself churning out about 40 A4 photos or more.

Zerstorer:

Once again, many thanks for all your input. It has certainly help me in making up my mind. Yes, i will be printing quite a few 4R & 8R sized shots, while at the same time, be using it to print some documents.

My name concerns are basically how economical it is to get this printer/cartridge in question, the speed of churning out the shots, if it can double up as a normal documents printer, and of course, print quality

One last question though...

How is the print quality like for the Epson 895?

[ckiang]

Quote: Originally posted by Wolfgang Zerstorer: Once again, many thanks for all your input. It has certainly help me in making up my mind. Yes, i will be printing quite a few 4R & 8R sized shots, while at the same time, be using it to print some documents. My name concerns are basically how economical it is to get this printer/cartridge in question, the speed of churning out the shots, if it can double up as a normal documents printer, and of course, print quality One last question though... How is the print quality like for the Epson 895?

I use the 895's cousin, which is essentially the same, but without the card reader. Quality is excellent, but still below par compared to lab prints. That said, as long as you don't put them side by side, you can't really tell the difference.

Regards
CK