Is it worth buying official ink cartridges?

[blizeH]

Hi,

We're looking to replace our print cartridges and came across this page: http://www.cartridgesave.co.uk/ink-cartridges/HP/Officejet-4500.html

The recycled inks not only work out much cheaper per page, I also like the idea of recycling cartridges for environmental reasons

My main concern though, is whether or not I will ruin my printer - does anyone have experience in using recycled cartridges? How did you find it?

Thanks

[cleverclogs]

TO be honest, I actually find OEM cartridges or toner much more reliable and producing consistent printing, than using refilled cartridges. Each to their own.

[EddieF]

I doubt it will ruin your printer. The company I used to work for used recycled ink jet cartridges instead of official HP ones. They worked just fine with the exception of the occasional one that would leak ink every where when you pulled the protective cap/film off. But for the price (and we was always able to get the bad ones replaced for free) its worth it.

But we didn't have color printers, I'd imagine color quality will vary.

[-Deleted-]

Depends on what you print, legal documents or documents where you need quality id say so for originals, for homework and bits and bobs id say refills.

Only thing is it WILL void any warranty you have left on the printer so if it's a semi old one you've got nothing to lose.

[Mr. Gibs]

Sometimes its cheaper to go get your own cartridge refilled. Tons of places do it, including Costco (if you happen to live near one in the UK).

All you do is drop off your own ink cartridge and they'll fill it up within the hour. Cost over here in the US (might be slightly different in the UK) is like $9 for the color, $8 for the black.

The quality? Well I've been using the same cartridge for my HP photosmart for at least a year now (get it refilled at Costco) and honestly stuff I print still looks exactly like it should.

[Luc2k]

There's cases where buying the same printer new is cheaper than a colour cartridge.

The cheapest solution is to mod your printer to use ink bottles. I think there's even a few official ones that use the system now.

[Max Norris]

Never had much luck with DIY refill kits or third party carts, but maybe it's just my particular printer being finicky too.

There's cases where buying the same printer new is cheaper than a colour cartridge.

Heh yea, I've done that a couple of times for my daughter's printer.. it's literally cheaper to just buy a new one. That's just screwed up.

[wahoospa]

I haven't bought ink cartridges in several years. In fact I don't remember when the last time I bought new cartridges.

Locally, we have a Goodwill Computer recycle store. I can go there and find new cartridges in their original boxes for $1 each. This past week I bought 4 new cartridges for my HP printer for $3.00. She only charge me $3 for 4 cartridges. The cartridges I bought were # 56, 57, 58, 59 for HP printers. You might see if there is a Goodwill Computer recycle store in your area. I believe they get them corporations donating large quantities of computer equipment and supplies. Also they don't always have the ones in stock you may need so go by there whenever near their store.

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

My experience of cheapy refill cartridges:

* From brand new report themselves to be about half empty already

* Dry up VERY quickly

* Clogg up your print heads

* Nowhere near as vibrant

* Had a few that simply just wouldn't print

* Ink has an odd smell about it

Again, these are just my own experiences - but I would much rather pay for OEMs

[Skyfrog]

I've had problems with the refills like leaking, low quality ink or the printer simply refusing to accept refilled carts. The mess and hassle of filling them isn't really worth the trouble in my opinion. I'm done with inkjets myself though, for printing documents laser printers are much higher quality and more economical and for photos you get higher quality prints for less money by just using a kiosk or ordering prints online.

[xendrome]

Huge difference between a refill toner and refill inkjet...

[wrack]

Go for the ink reservoirs like the one here.

http://www.inkbank.com.au/category38_1.htm

[dfuk]

The only way non oem ink can do any real damage to a printer is to clog the print head. on most HP printers the print head is part of the cartridge (363, 364, 10 and 80 are the exceptions if i remember correctly) so if the head gets damaged just buying a new cartridge will fix it.

You do have to get a good quality ink, so don't buy the cheapest and there is no such thing as a universal inkjet ink.

[xendrome]

The only way non oem ink can do any real damage to a printer is to clog the print head. on most HP printers the print head is part of the cartridge (363, 364, 10 and 80 are the exceptions if i remember correctly) so if the head gets damaged just buying a new cartridge will fix it.

That's one of the problems with inkjet refilling, your print head is likely clogged by the time you refill it, from debris or sitting dry too long. So you refill it and end up with crap quality or no printing at all.

[TokiToki]

I'm using aftermarket ink (G&G) and the quality seems to be the same as the Canon OEM inks. However, the cartridges do sometimes leak, so you might want to use a reputable site which has at least a 1 year replacement guarantee.

John C. Dvorak is convinced Epson owns G&G :laugh:

http://twit.tv/show/...eek-in-tech/355 @ 48:22