Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Bob Frost" 
> - the number of cleaning cycles is also stored on the cart, so that ink 
> usage can be calculated properly. Since carts are all swapped in and
out at 
> different times, this is cart-specific info.

Bob, all the functions of the chip you mention don't really convince
me, it can be done in much simpler ways. There are other printers with
swappable carts, like HP (for B&W printing). To me, it was clear form
day one that Epson was trying to protect themselves from 3rd party
replacement inks. BTW it is also US who pay the R&D for all those
chips and protection. 

I am aware that Epsons ink technology has been, for a few years
(pigment inks) clearly ahead of the OEM competition. But those
printers don't come for free or for very cheap (like the 69 USD
models), the 2100/2200 and 4xxx and large format printers are quite
expensive (more than the large printers from HP and Canon), so what I
expect is an honest concept: 
I pay the printer, and am done with Epson as soon as I have paid it. I
dont like the feeling of paying the "rest" or the hidden purchase
price through exorbitantly priced ink cartridges. 

If you sell prints you just can add the ink to the price, however a
lot of people print regulaty and do it for their own pleasure. Having to
replace sets of carts all the time is so expensive that I would stop
immediately if there was no 3rd party choice. Epson carts are no
option for me (even if I could probably afford it) as long as I have
the feeling of being ripped off cart after cart.
One 2100 cart costs about 17-19 Euro here in Germany, that is 20-22
USD for 17ml of ink (125ml/4oz of MIS ink is almost the same price
isn't it? And I guess MIS still make their living from it). One set
of 7 carts being about 150 USD. This is so far above what I think
being reasonable and fair that I'd rather stop home printing at all. 

Why does Epson not offer packs of lets say 5 carts with massive
rebates (40-50%)? Normally the one who buys larger quantities gets a
rebate instead of being punished each and every time.

I now use my 2100 with CFS, but should I be unable to get a
replacement once the CFS doesn't work anymore, I will switch to Canon
or whoever offers me the same quality, or get my printing done by a Lab...

Sorry for the long rant, its just my personal point of view.

regards, Bernie