Digital BW, The Print

Dear Colleagues,

I have had very frustrating experiences with an Epson 1160 using MIS 
inks printing either Black Only (thanks Clayton for your encouraging 
articles) or UT quadtones (thanks Paul for your curves).  The heads 
clog and take ages and waste vast quantities of ink to clean, and 
even then I often get micro-banding.

So, in desperation I have ordered an Epson 2100 (= 2200 on this side 
of the pond) which sounds a more robust machine.  I have also had 
some useful advice to use the OEM inks and the Harrington RIP for my 
black and white prints.  This should work out cheaper and apparently 
there is no metamerism.  However, I still have residual doubts as to 
whether this is the best path to follow: there is a whole new system 
to learn and I liked the BO prints - when they worked.

Any advice from those who have already trodden this path?

Thanks,

John