Epson Stylus Pro 7900 User Report page 6

The X900 also incorporates an automated clog detection systems, a paperless method that uses light to detect
clogged nozzles. If clogged nozzles are detected the printer will automatically run a head cleaning cycle, and
then verify that the clogs were removed. This system is more elegant than reading printed patches to detect
clogged nozzles, and should further reduce wasted paper and ink.
Auto Switching Blacks
One of my only long standing complaints with Epson printers has been the requirement that users manually
swap black inks in order to get maximum quality on both matte and photo papers. The time required to complete
this switch was a hassle and could easily take 20 minutes, requiring levers be raised and lowered and a set of
drainage tanks be inserted and removed. Then there was the cost associated with the ink wastage, around $50,
making the whole process simply impractical for most users. I am very pleased to report that Epson has finally
done away with this.
The solution is essentially the same as employed with the Epson Stylus Pro 3800. While the black inks still share
a single print head, both blacks are now simultaneously loaded in the printer. The switch between inks still uses
a small amount of ink, but this has been reduced to less than 3ml of ink and takes only a few minutes. The whole
process can be initiated from a button on the control panel or the printer will prompt you to change black if a pa-
per is loaded that calls for a different ink than is selected. This new system is very nice, and will make the printers
even more welcome in the fine art market.
Ink Tank Options
Typically the larger the ink tanks, the cheaper the ink, and this is definitely the case with the optional 700 ml tanks
on the X900. Running about $0.10 cheaper per ml than the Z3200 and 7880, that translates to roughly 20% lower
ink costs. I also like that there are 3 different tank sizes, and the printer allows mixed sizes to be loaded. Users
concerned that the 700ml tanks will expire before being used completely might consider using the larger sized
tanks only with the light colors. Even the 350 ml tanks represent a significant cost savings compared to the 150
ml tanks, which are not a great deal at $0.59 a ml.
Below is a chart comparing ink cost using MSRP.
Number of installed
inks
Ink cartridge size
MSRP cost per cart
Total volume of ink in
printer
Cost per replacement
set
Cost per mil of ink
HP DESIGNJET Z3200
11 colors
1 gloss enhancer (GE)
130 ml
$83 single / $62 GE
$132 double/$99 GE
($66 each)/($49.5 GE)
1560 ml
$975 single
$1551 double
$.62 for single
$.49 for double
Epson 7/9880
8 colors
110/220 ml
$70 for 110 ml
$112 for 220 ml
880 (110 ml carts)
1760 (220 ml carts)
$560 for 110 ml
$896 for 220 ml
$.63 for 110 ml
$.51 for 220 ml
Epson 7/9900
11 colors
150/350/700 ml
$89.95 for 150 ml
$159.95 for 350 ml
$279.95 for 700 ml
3850 ml (350 ml carts)
7700 ml (700 ml carts)
$1759 for 350 ml tanks
$3079 for 700 ml tanks
$.46 for 350 ml
$.40 for 700 ml