Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, Sam McCandless <samcc@...> wrote:

> Epson has, I believe, replaced the 280, at least in the U.S., with the  
> Artisan 50 at $130, currently less a $20 rebate:
> 

> and I wonder whether its cartridges might be re-filled and used with  
> the inks we prefer. I'm afraid not. Notice that the Artisan 50's  
> cartridges have a new "SmartValve" technology and that "The integrated  
> cartridge chips on Epson cartridges continuously record ink use  
> information that is automatically restored to the printer if the  
> cartridges are removed and reinstalled."

It appears that the Artisan 50 uses the same type 78 carts as the R280 and that the exact same refillable carts can be used with it.  Most all the Epson printers for some years now have used chipped ink carts and the chips have been cloned by 3rd parties for some time.  I suppose it is possible they somehow changed something with the Artisan but it doesn't appear to use a cartridge any different from the previous printers and there are lots of people selling non-OEM refillable carts on E-bay for the Artisan 50.

If it is at all like the 280 it is a good way to get started.  I actually picked up my R280 for free after rebate last January!

Ken