The switching weakness comment reflects the information from the pro-printer repair person I use in Los Angeles. It's not the jets that go, apparently, as I get a perfect MK nozzle check but terrible PK nozzle check. When the "switch" is replaced, it includes the entire tubing setup. So, it's more complex than just a simply valve the switches from one tube to another.
It may be that to achieve the small footprint the 3800 has relative to the other 17" printers the switching mechanism had to be more compact than the other large format systems.
Additionally, of course, being the "weak point" does not necessarily mean that the overall reliability of the 3800/3880 platform is worse than other printers. The bottom line of the repairman's advice was that the 3880 I was looking at was probably worth investing in because they are very good machines. That overall positive position of the pro repair shop is one of the reasons I'm recommending the machine as one that the dedicated B&W people ought to consider buying as they become more available on the used market. Consistent with this, my sources tell me that demand for third party carts, etc. for the machine has increased.
Putting the MK ink in the PK position would probably be fine for QTR. However, for those who also want to be able to use the Epson driver, it probably cuts out the needed paper definitions in the driver.
As one who uses the 3880 now and only needs the one working K position, I'd say the weak point of the platform is the rear manual feed slot. I ignore it and totally understand Epson';s dropping it on the P800.
Paul
On Fri, Aug 28, 2015 at 12:34 PM, Roy Harrington roy@harrington.com [QuadtoneRIP] <QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
I've had a 3800 printer for a long time and its been by far my most reliable Epson.So in general I'd recommend it.I don't really understand the black-ink switching comment from Paul. All the currentUltrachrome Epson printers (Pro and Prosumer) do the same black-ink switching.There is only one set of black ink jets -- so both MK and PK use the same jets.In the original post you mention Epson inks and QTR driver and the problem just in PK,so if you do just matte you can ignore the PK cart. If you want just photo PK, youcould reload this into a MK cart and just go that route.RoyOn Fri, Aug 28, 2015 at 7:38 AM, Paul Roark roark.paul@... [QuadtoneRIP] <QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
The 3800's weak point is the switch between PK and MK. The 3880 I have has a dead PK. So, I use it for a matte paper only, Eboni-based system.I became interested in this platform because I think there are going to be lots of these on the market -- cheap -- as people switch to the P800. Using the 3800/3880 as a dedicated B&W machine and never switching the black ink type is probably the best future for the platform.FWIWPaulOn Thu, Aug 27, 2015 at 11:14 PM, cirrus_panamacanal@... [QuadtoneRIP] <QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com> wrote:Sorry! Typo, Its a 3800...... I used to have a 3000 with piezio inks also.
John
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