Digital BW, The Print

> Does anyone have experience with the following Epson models in b&w 
> printing?
> 
> R800
> 
> 1200
> 
> 1800
> 
> Also, if you have found a good, reliable place to buy one, please let 
> me know. Any and all comments greatly appreciated.
> 
> Alan
>
Alan,

As an owner of a 1280 (I assume that's what you meant when you said
"1200"), I would get the 1800 instead.  Not because the 1280 is a bad
printer, but because there are now easier, more reliably printers
available.  The 1280 does a beautiful job on B&W prints when you use a
third party ink set such as the pigment UT-2 inks designed by Paul and
sold by MIS.  However, the 1280 is an older design dye-based printer
and as such requires more maintenance to keep it working properly.  If
you use pigment inks in a 1280, you must print at least once a week or
you will have clogging problems, whereas the 1800 and 2400 are
designed from the beginning to pump pigment-based printers and are not
as prone to clog if they sit for a while.

Besides, like Paul said, $300 for a refirb'ed 1800 is going to be hard
to beat!