Digital BW, The Print

I've used several 1280's with MIS inks for about four years. They
print just about as good as anything. And the color with the new MIS
PRO inks makes the 1280's color about as good as the newer printers.
You do need a custom printer profile for the MIS PRO ink. A 1280 is a
higher maintance printer and doesn't last forever. I seem to get a
couple years of good use out of one. But the refurbs are $225 (after
rebate, free shipping) from Epson so it's hard to beat the price. 

No doubt the 2400 is a better printer overall. But it's a $800 printer
vs a $225 one. And it will take a very critical viewer who knows both
printers well to be able to tell the quality difference between one
and the other.

You waste very little ink switching from b&w to color and back. 

Given the price differential, I'd suggest the 1280 for you. 

FWIW, my current 1280 is developing a paper feed problem and I'm
considering replacing it with a 2400. But I still don't regret buying
that 2nd 1280 two years ago. 

Bob Michaels

 --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Mike Roma"
<Mike_Roma@m...> wrote:
>
> How does the Epson R2400 with K3 ink compare to the 1280 with MIS 
> UT2?
> 
> I print color and b&w, but the challenge seems to be getting a good 
> inkjet b&w print. I'm considering an R2400, and the 1280 which I can 
> get for a very good price. I have been searching for some time, and 
> it appears that the 1280 with ut2 inks would be about as good as a 
> 2200. I haven't seen enough reports on the R2400 with Epson K3 ink 
> to really know how well it does with b&w. I have read reviews, but 
> it seems that every time a new printer comes out, there are terrific 
> reviews. Also, I wouldn't want to spend more than $50 or so for a 
> RIP. Price is a big factor in my decision right now.
> 
> I know I will waste ink with the 1280 switching between color and 
> b&w. I would use up a cart before I switched. I could also print 
> with b&w for several carts before switching to color, and vice 
> versa. I realize I will have to live with the inconvenience of not 
> being able to make one print without switching ink, sometimes. I do 
> have an R200 that I can use for everyday prints, documents, etc. 
> Would the money saved by buying the 1280 ($500-600+) justify the 
> wasted ink costs? I expect I would want to upgrade to a better 
> printer in a year or two (maybe 17" wide). I also realize that the 
> R2400 is just a better printer, and probably more reliable. 
> 
> Also, has anyone used the MIS pigment color inks for the 1280? I 
> realize that's somewhat "off topic" here, sorry!
> 
> 
> Thanks in advance for your thoughts, suggestions, and advice.
> 
> Mike
>