New Printer

[237SJ]

I have had a couple of error codes on my Canon Pixma recently so I thought the print head was failing. I have error B200 now which I can't shift (even though I have cleaned the heads with surgical spirit) Anyway, I have decided to give up with the printer and am looking for a replacement. I don't need anything too convoluted. I`ve looked at some of the Canon TS range and they seem quite flimsy. My first ever printer was HP and it was a bit rubbish so I`m not sure I want to buy HP again. I tend to be a bit brand driven when it comes to electronics. I was wondering about Epsom - are they solid and reliable? Just wondered on anyone's thoughts. I want inket, not laser.

[barry1010]

How much printing do you do? Do you print photographs? Would a mono printer be suitable for you? Do you print bigger than A4?

[Buenchico]

Firstly, try resetting the error code on your existing printer:

[Buenchico]

If that doesn't work, look for a printer that uses separate cartridges for each of the colours. They tend to cost a little more than basic 2-cartridge models but they tend to work out far cheaper to run when it comes to buying new cartridges.

Assuming that you just want a general-purpose printer, for both documents and photos, if I was in your position I'd stick with Canon and opt for their TS705a model. (£49.99 in Currys, £53.99 in Argos). It's very well reviewed for a printer in that price range and, importantly, it won't cost you mega-bucks when it comes to buying inks for it. (A full set of all 5 compatible cartridges currently costs £25.76 from my preferred supplier https://www.inkredible.co.uk/canon-pixma-ts705-ink-cartridges ).

[237SJ]

Thanks for the replies. I tried the reset fix earlier but it didn't work. I mainly just use it for printing tickets, and scanning. Thanks for the info Buenchico but one of the reviews on Currys says that that printer has no scanner. Some of them load from the back which means it won't fit where I want to put it and one review on one of the Canon's there said that there is no paper retainer and the printed copies fly out onto the floor! It looks like Canon are a bit flimsier than they used to be which is why I wondered about Epsom.

[Buenchico]

I've been answering questions about printers on here for 17 years and, in my experience, the number of problems with Epson printers seems to have been disproportionately high. They certainly wouldn't be my first choice.

[237SJ]

Thanks Buenchico - I've just been down to Currys. They only had 3 or 4 Canons and they all had just the two cartridges - black and colour. I would prefer individual cartridges. One of the things I noticed is that a lot of them are turning to bottle fed printers now so you get a decent sized bottle of colour and it might be cheaper in the long run. Will have to look into it further.

[Buenchico]

This appears to tick all of your boxes:
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/1931965

[Atheist]

Probably not what you want, but I bought a Samsung B & W laser printer, which was under £100 and which is far better and cleaner than the ink cartridges, and much much cheaper - a new thingy lasts me for ages.

[237SJ]

Thanks for the further answers and thank you Chris for taking the time to research that. The flipping thing is working now - must have been the surgical spirit. I expect it will play up again in the future as I have had other errors before now and when I updated to windows 10, Canon said it might not work as the driver didn't support it (it did) Anyway, I may have a problem when I go to Windows 11 so will keep your suggestions in mind.

[237SJ]

Buenchico - I got the B200 error again and this time I couldn't clear it. So the printer went to the dump and I am getting the TS6350a. Mainly because of the 5 inks. Thanks for your input. Looking forward to setting that up. Next is the mirrorless camera and lenses..

[Buenchico]

Thanks for the feedback.

I hope that the setup goes smoothly. (I have to admit to not enjoying getting printers and computers to talk to each other!).

This link, from a website that I trust for its integrity and independence, might be of use to you:
https://www.techradar.com/news/best-mirrorless-camera

[237SJ]

Thanks - yes, already got that bookmarked this afternoon. It's looking like Canon R6 at the moment but I need to do some more research