I've never written a review before but I figgure Epson needs a little BAD press. I Have owned a C84 and C86, both printers print very crisp images when the print heads aren't clogged. I've wasted soooo much money on ink (Cleaning the heads) that my Epson buying days are over. Don't be fooled on the low price the Ink will cost you. Even if you buy off-label ink.

I have owned two C82 printers and folks have owned two C84 printers (two of each because one of each failed during the warranty period.) Know that every 18 months or so Epson releases a new model number of the same printer, and has historically failed to address the issues of the previous version. Search the web for "clogged nozzles" and "C82 and C84" and you'll find a lot of info from users with problems (you may not find such feedback YET on the C86 because the model number is relatively new and not enough time has elapsed to allow the printheads, etc to clog up. If past experience is any indicator, it'll only be a matter of time until you experience the same issues.

As one of the previous reviewers mentioned, after a while of use, the printheads, etc clog and none of the routine diagnostics and remedies work. You are left with the option of either sending the item to a service center, or buying a new printer (if out of warranty.) Since repair costs exceed the cost of a new unit (after rebates), it is generally not worth the cost of repair. Seiko/Epson customer service won't stand behind the product after the warranty has lapsed and are very quick to point out the customer is on their own or has to foot the bill for a repair.

For those of you interested in a disposable printer (which works great for the first year or first few cartridge changes) the print quality is very good. Though the printer is VERY thirsty (it goes through a lot of ink quickly), the cost of printing per page is reported to be among the lowest going.

I suggest owners who want this short-term operational printer, I suggest you consider purchasing some extra inks (so as not to run dry unexpectedly soon.)

Unfortunately, Epson quality is no longer what it was in the 80s and 90s (it WAS the gold standard.) I may look to go back to HP to replace mine (which will be going to dump this weekend.)

Don't let the low initial purchase price fool you...this item uses the Gilette razor approach: the base item is very cheap, but the refills are where the company makes their living.

Bottom line, it's a DISPOSABLE PRINTER and is not worth the frustration.

I purchased an Epson C84 printer when I bought my Mac G5. The printer was "free" with rebate which is the good news. Previously I've only owned HP Deskjets so I thought I understood how all inkjets behaved. Not so.

First, the Epson will run you poor due to incredible ink usage. Expect to replace the black ink cartridge every two months with typical printing. Also, the printer uses a finite amount of color ink even if you print exclusively in black and white. The printer needs to do this in order to keep the nozzles flowing. Mine haven't yet clogged but from reviews posted here and elsewhere it is only a matter of time. You'll need to replace the color cartridge about every 6 months. More frequently if you print photos.

Second, you MUST keep spare ink on hand. If you forget and let a cartidge (any color) run out the printer shuts down and you cannot print! At least with my previous experience with HPs you could "limp home" and print an off color or "streaky" black and white document.

I've owned this printer for one year and have spent about $200 on ink! The black cartridge just ran out again and it's the end for this money pit. I'll be selling it at a garage sale next week.

First, let me say that the Epson C86 (and C84, the earlier version) produces beautiful prints, especially considering the fact it uses pigment inks (DuraBrite) rather than the dye based inks that HP and Canon use. As a rule, dye based inks have a wider color gamut and are more vivid, particularly on glossy paper, than pigment inks, but I also have an HP deskjet 9650 (A3) Photo printer and the Epson prints are very close in quality to those from the HP, especially when I use the DuraBrite Glossy Photo paper.

Now for the bad news. First, everyone should realize when you buy an inkjet printer, you are actually buying a profit generating machine for the company that builds it. A very large percentage of the corporate profits of Epson and HP come from the sale of, you guessed it.....ink. They sell the printers at or close to cost, but make a killing on those tiny ink cartridges, and this is where the Epson will get you. Epson printers have a permanent, built-in printhead and it will sooner or later start to clog (do a Google search for Epson clogged nozzles.....you'll get over 6000 hits). When this happens, your prints will look really bad (banding and missing colors), and the "Epson solution" for this is to run cleaning cycles, which will burn through those high dollar cartridges even faster. I have had two Epson's to clogg almost completely, both within a week after the warranty had run out. Also, if the cartridge is low on ink, the printer will refuse to run a cleaning cycle until you replace the cartridge with a new one, then it will waste the ink in your new cartridge attempting to clear the nozzles. Epson cartridges have a microchip built in supposedly to monitor the ink remaining in the cartridge, but I have my suspicions that it may be responsible for the previous problems I mentioned as well as making it difficult (but not impossible) to refill the cartridges.

If you do not use your printer regularly, I would recommend that you steer clear of Epson, the clogging problem is worse if you let the printer set for long periods of time without using it. In this case I would suggest HP or Canon, my HP printers set for several months at a time and very rarely get a clogged nozzle, one cleaning cycle usually clears it up. Also, the HP printers have the printhead built into the cartridge, so every time you replace the cartridge you get a brand new printhead. However, the HP cartridges are tiny with very little ink (thanks Carly.....glad you got the ax), if you do a lot of printing you had better have some cash.

Finally, if you are having clogging problems, my solution might work for you and save some of your money from flowing into Epson's pockets. First, try to print something every day, even if it's just one small 4 x 6 photo. You want to keep the ink (all four colors) flowing in the printheads, letting the printer set will definitely cause you problems. Sooner or later, the printhead will clog and the nozzle test will show a clogged nozzle (broken lines). DO NOT run a cleaning cycle (this is exactly what Epson wants you to do.....it's money in their pocket). Instead, and there are a number of ways to do this (Google it), move the cartridge/printhead assembly to the center or left of the printer and immediately pull the plug, this will leave the area where the printhead is normally "parked" accessible. I take an eyedropper and soak the two small sponges that normally cover the printhead with Radio Shack tape head cleaner (alcohol), plug the printer back in, wait for the printhead to park itself and then cut the printer off with the switch. You want to do this as quickly as possible, don't ever leave the printhead "unparked" for any length of time. I usually let the printer set overnight, turn it on the next day and my nozzle check is perfect.....all without wasting any of that high dollar ink. Some people use Windex or distilled water, some people say not to use any of them including the alcohol.....that it will destroy the printhead, but I've had good luck with the tape head cleaner. Just remember, do this at your own risk....this will probably void your warranty if Epson finds out. If the printer is under warranty and you are unable to get the printhead nozzles restored, I would just ship it back to Epson, they'll probably send you a "refurbished" replacement. If it's out of warranty, I figure there is really nothing to lose.

The Epson C86 is basically disposable (made in Indonesia) junk. It is often cheaper to buy a new printer and use the cartridges in your old printer rather than buy replacement cartridges alone. This way you will have a backup printer when the nozzles become hopelessly clogged in your original printer. The reason I continue to use the Epson is because it produces really nice prints (when it's working) that have excellent fade resistance. I frame a lot of my artwork and photographs and don't won't them to fade after a few months. I would like to have an Epson A3 printer (2200 or the new R1800) but refuse to purchase one because of the clogging problems, it's one thing to trash an $80 printer.....quite a different matter to throw a $600 one in the dumpster.

This is a great printer for text and graphics. It is very fast, the text looks sharp and the colors are vibrant. This printer was an upgrade from an HP and the set of cartridges for the HP was over $100 while the epsons are about $50. Also the epson cartridges last far longer. Some people have mentioned that the first set of cartridges don't last and I have found this to be entirely untrue. I still have the orginal set (although black is almost out) and I have printed AT LEAST 350 pages. The ink is incrediblely resiliant. Even when printed on standard paper outdoor flyers just do not run. This is a good printer and is made even better by the very low price.