Epson 1280 vs. Epson 2200

[PhotoAmateur]

I'm thinking of upgrading my printer from an Epson 1280 to an Epson 2200. I
was wondering what benefits I would get out of upgrading. Is it really
worth it to upgrade? Better prints?

thanks

[John]

I own both the UK versions of these printers (1290s and 2100), this
following is just my views

Both my printers are profiled using profile prism and I have a test file
that I always use when testing my profiles. Comparing the test prints from
both printers I conclude the following.

The prints produced by the 1290 are very slightly more saturated than the
2100 but the flesh tones are more accurate on the 2100, although they look
healthier on the 1290s. Monochrome prints from both are very neutral and
show a full range of tones with no colour cast in the shadows. The 1290
will print on high gloss and matt paper with the 2100 you are better of
using matt. The 2100 prints are supposed to last longer although I have
never seen fading with the 1290 prints although I have no prints older than
5 years.

Ink costs

The 1290 has two cartridges one black and one 5 colour

The 2100 has separate colour cartridges 2 black and 5 colour.

This should make the 2100 better for ink usage as you only have to change
the individual cartridge when it empties, although you will probably find
that when one colour is out most of the rest are almost out, so you will be
changing all 5 colour carts within days anyway. The cost of the 2100 carts
is quite a bit higher than the 1290 and it is difficult to say if they
contain more ink as they are quite a different shape. To replace both 1290
carts with Epson ink will cost in the UK around £50 to replace all seven
2100 carts will cost around £80.

In conclusion is the 2100 better than the 1290, from my own personal
experience I would say absolutely not, but then again as both printers are
about to be replaced by Epson with the 1800 and 2400 you would probably be
better of asking the same question again in a few months time.

Blocked heads

You will often see newsgroup messages about Epson Heads blocking, you would
think reading some of these posts that all Epson's block their heads and
have to be thrown away.

Over the years I have owned the following Epson printers A Stylus 600 The
original Epson stylus photo a 1200 the 1270 two 1290's and a 2100 and
although I have on occasion had the odd head blocked especially on the 1200
after it went un-used for 3 years, I have had nothing that cannot be cleaned
by using the drivers cleaning utility.

Hope this has been of help

[Jake]

Careful ...
The Epson 2200 is now obsolete. See

"Epson Introduces Another Breakthrough Product for Fine Art Photography
with the New Epson Stylus Photo R2400 and Epson UltraChrome K3 Inks"
http://www.creativepro.com/story/news/22901.html?cprose=daily

"New Epson Stylus Pro 4800, 7800 and 9800 Ink Jet Printers"
http://www.creativepro.com/story/news/22900.html?cprose=daily