All-in-one inkjet with removable nozzles

[Wassercrats]

I thought I read that nozzles on HP inkjets are removable for cleaning, but I searched the specifications of a random HP all-in-one inkjet printer and didn't see anything about it. I need a flatbed all-in-one (fax not necessary) that I may not use often so I need a way to clean clogs when the built-in cleaning mechanism fails.

I read about a printer that uses the unclogged nozzles to compensate for clogged ones, but I want to be able to clean the clogs, not compensate.

I just got rid of an Epson that gave me lots of problems. I did like the pigment based Durabrite ink because I hate smears, but I didn't like the clogs it caused. Pigment based ink and removable nozzles would be perfect for me, I think.

[Wassercrats]

After some more research, it looks like Canon printers are the ones with removable printheads and HPs have them built into the cartridges, but I can't find mention of it on Canon's website either. I emailed HP, now I guess I'll email Canon.

[Matt]

I don't think any modern inkjet printheads are "cleanable" in the tradition sense of the word. You "clean" the printhead by blasting ink through the heads (which wastes ink). A few links I found on a Google search indicate that HP printheads have traditionally been integrated into the cartridge itself and that Canon's FINE cartridges also take this approach.

If there are going to be extended periods where you won't be using the color features, then maybe you should consider a color laserjet.

-Matt

[Wassercrats]

Canon didn't get back to me yet. Maybe I'll get a black and white laser all in one. I don't need color so badly.

[Wassercrats]

I'm calling this a "no, and we don't want your business":Dear Barry:

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Original Message Follows:
-------------------------

First Name: Barry
Question:
Do you make an all-in-one, flatbed inkjet with a printhead that's
removable for cleaning? One that uses pigment based ink would be
preferable because I don't want smudges. Fax isn't important.


HP gave me a better no:

Thank you for your interest in Hewlett-Packard.

The printhead of all current HP inkjet multifunction printers are
integrated with the ink cartridge. Therefore, each time you replace the
ink cartridge you are also replacing the printhead.

HP offers numerous multifunction inkjet printers that would meet your
needs. I recommend looking at the HP PhotoSmart C4180 (Q8110A#ABA).

The HP PhotoSmart C4180 features:

- Prints up to 30 pages per minute for black, 24 pages per minute for
color
- Supports up to 8.5" x 24.0" size prints (panorama)
- 4800 x 1200 optimized dpi (dots per inch) resolution
- Memory card slots
- 2.5" color display

More information can be viewed at:

http://www.shopping.hp.com/store/product/product_detail/Q8110A%2523ABA?

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Original Message Follows:
-------------------------

product_name : HP pre-sales support
first_name : Barry
category : features and benefits
product_interest : All-in-one with removable print head
newpresales_opt : home or home office use
comments : I need a flatbed all-in-one inkjet printer for infrequent use
and I'd like the printhead to be removable so clogs can be cleaned. Do
you make such an all-in-one?

[NoahM]

One printer I have is a small business type inkjet (basically a fast inkjet for those that don't really want to spend the big $'s on laser) by HP that has separate print heads from the ink cartridges. The printer has never alerted me to change the print heads. Perhaps I should change them just to see what the fuss is all about since I have them from the day I bought the printer.

[Wassercrats]

I recommend looking at the HP PhotoSmart C4180I compared that with two lower priced models, and I'd probably get the recommended one if it wasn't for one thing. These (http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/product_detail.do?storeName=storefronts&landing=printers&category=all_in_ones&subcat1=&catLevel=2&a1=Primary+usage&v1=Photo&product_code=Q8110A%23ABA&tab=detailed_specs#defaultAnchor) specs say that the maximum document scan size is 8.5 x 10.5 in, which is less than letter size. If there's something in the margins, like page numbers, it might be cut off. The two cheaper models had scan sizes a little larger than letter size.

Back to shopping...

[Randall]

These (http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/product_detail.do?storeName=storefronts&landing=printers&category=all_in_ones&subcat1=&catLevel=2&a1=Primary+usage&v1=Photo&product_code=Q8110A%23ABA&tab=detailed_specs#defaultAnchor) specs say that the maximum document scan size is 8.5 x 10.5 in, which is less than letter size. Gotta be a misprint. No one would sell a scanner that does less than 8x11" (unless it's one of those business card scanner thingies).

Randall

[Randall]

The manual I downloaded here (http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/manualCategory?lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&product=1141647&os=181&lang=en&) says the glass is 8.5x11.7", which makes more sense. Needs to be longer than 11" to scan A4 pages.

Randall

[Wassercrats]

I guess the only way to be sure is to find a store that lets you test it, but maybe I'll email HP and ask. I've made copies and had the margin cut off.

[Jeff]

Gotta be a misprint. No one would sell a scanner that does less than 8x11" (unless it's one of those business card scanner thingies).

Randall
Don't be so sure. I've had a couple scanners / copiers that don't do the full size you would expect. I had a canon all-in-one copier that wouldn't quite scan 11 x 17... frustrating when you're trying to scan 11 x 17 full bleed. They figured the machine itself would only print a smaller size on 11 x 17 (not full bleed) so why make the scanner/copier scan things that wouldn't print. Well, one reason would be that you could reduce to fit. Another would be that you could scan an 11 x 17 full bleed to further work on. Etc. Also had an agfa scanner that was really frustrating in that you had to set anything to be scanned edge-to-edge in from the edge of the glass so you couldn't use the edges of the glass/plastic border strip to square things up but instead had to "eye it" and visually line things up straight because the scanner didn't actually scan 1/16" from the edge of the glass. Annoying.

[Randall]

Also had an agfa scanner that was really frustrating in that you had to set anything to be scanned edge-to-edge in from the edge of the glass so you couldn't use the edges of the glass/plastic border strip to square things up but instead had to "eye it" and visually line things up straight because the scanner didn't actually scan 1/16" from the edge of the glass. Annoying. I don't think I've seen a scanner that didn't lose something along the edges. For smaller items, I've used popsicle sticks to get around the problem.

On our Brother all-in-ones, the letter-size markings are centered along the top edge of the glass -- they're actively discouraging people from lining things up in the corners, which took some getting used to. (Haven't tested to see if anything gets lost along that top edge. Good question.)

But cutting an entire half inch of the bottom would be insane.

Randall

[Jeff]

Figured it could be 1/4" on the top and bottom which I've had as a non-printable margin area on a few printers now. (I've not had a scanner that crops off 1/2" but I've had printers that can't print 1/4" on the top and 1/4" on the bottom, so I'd say it's not great, but not actually insane ;))

[Randall]

Figured it could be 1/4" on the top and bottom which I've had as a non-printable margin area on a few printers now. (I've not had a scanner that crops off 1/2" but I've had printers that can't print 1/4" on the top and 1/4" on the bottom, so I'd say it's not great, but not actually insane ;)) 'Tis true. Laser printers at least seem to reach their limit at .2" from the edge ... and inkjets may lose a whole inch at the bottom of the page, even the ones that do "borderless" prints.

But that seems like a poor excuse for not using the full size of the scanning bed. :ytold:

Randall

[Wassercrats]

I guess it's 8.5" x 11.7".
I compared the multifunction printer that you recommended to me
(PhotoSmart C4180) with two cheaper models and I like the C4180 that you
recommended. The only problem is that the specs for the C4180 at:

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/product_detail.do?storeName=storefronts&landing=printers&category=all_in_ones&subcat1=&catLevel=2&a1=Primary+usage&v1=Photo&product_code=Q8110A%23ABA&tab=detailed_specs#defaultAnchor

say that the maximum document scan size is 8.5 x 10.5 in, which is less
than letter size. On the other hand, the "C4100 All-in-One series Basics
Guide" at:

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c00696169.pdf

says that the maximum scan size is 8.5 x 11.7. Which is the correct
maximum scan size for the C4180?



Thank you for contacting Hewlett-Packard.

The flatbed on the HP Photosmart C4180 all-in-One (AIO) (Q8110A) will
support 8.5" x 11.7" bed. The HP Photosmart C4180 AIO support 3" X 5"
to 8.5" X 24". I apologize for any confusion you may have encountered
in this matter.The only problem is that the C4180 is over a year old and just got OK reviews on various other websites, but HP ink sounds like it prevents clogs so I'll stick with HP.

[Wassercrats]

I bought the HP C4180 at Staples today. It wasn't on display, but they found one in the back for me in a damaged box. I opened it at home and found this before I took the plastic off of the printer.

http://www.polisource.com/misc/printer-part.gif

I lost my urge to unwrap the printer when I saw that stray part. Anyone know what it is? I'm not going to put much effort into identifying it before I give up and return the printer, and I may return it even if I can put the part back where it belongs. It depends on how much rattling it would take to dislodge it.

[Andilinks]

It might be packaging, a filler to hold pieces together or apart during shipping.

[Wassercrats]

I took off the plastic but I didn't untape anything and I can't see where it may go. There's the number F50 molded on the part. I'll probably exchange the printer today.

[Wassercrats]

I exchanged it. Here's an excerpt from my first scan ever. See why I wanted pigment ink? Smudges! I hate smudges! I think the color ink that came with the printer is dye based and the special photo ink that I can get separately is pigment based, but I read good things about both, so hopefully neither will smudge. It won't help this letter though.

http://www.polisource.com/misc/dinkins.jpg