Digital BW, The Print

Chris;

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "chriskjezp" 
<chriskresser@...> wrote:
>
 
> However, 220s aren't available anymore. 

You can still find them new on ebay, though they are selling for 
above their original Epson price

> I see I have the following
> choices: 260, 280, 380.  Right now they will pay me to buy a 260 
($60
> minus $75 rebate) and the 380 will cost about $35.

This doesn't sound right, double check the rebate rules again.
  
> 
> I have a few questions about these printers though:
> 
> 1. Are they compatible with MIS inks?  They're not listed on the MIS
> site, but printer models change frequently...

They are probably compatible in that they will probably feed MIS Pro 
ink, but there are no chip resetters or refillable carts yet.
The only way to use them is to buy a CIS, for some reason the auto-
reset chips do work. 

> 
> 2. Do these printers have the same problem feeding thick art papers 
as
> the 220 and 800?  (I can use Premier Hot Press 205 on my 220 
without a
> problem, but that's as thick as it will go without a lot of hassle)
> 

Probably have the same issues with thick papers

> 3. What about these Claria inks?  I know they're dye-based, but 
Epson
> claims they are fade resistant and last up to 200 years.  Perhaps I
> don't need the MIS inks?

I doubt they'll make 200 years of any sort, be it Wilhelm, real 
years, or even dog years. But they are much better: I've had a Claria 
print sitting around my Florida room (bright indirect light) for 7-8 
months with no visible change. Regular dyes would have faded visibly 
and shifted to magenta long ago. And Wilhelm's numbers are quite 
good, so for color printing they might in fact be good enough. Two 
hitches though: 1)dmax on cotton paper sucks, the inks are intended 
for RC paper. 2)PRICE: at 15.00 a cart you'll spend the price of the 
printer on the very first round of inks.


> 
> 4. Anyone know what the significant differences are between the 260
> and 380 are?  The only thing I can see is the 380 has card slots to
> print PC free which I could care less about.

Built in mini-monitor, and a USB hub as well. In the 340 it is all 
USB 1.1, so it's slow.


Steve Karafyllakis