9 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
C88: Mar '06 - Apr '07; RIP
Date of Review: May 2, 2007
The Bottom Line: Look at higher-end Epson printers if you're a fan of DuraBrite inks (as I have been), or other brands if shopping for a printer in the C8X price range.
Received the C88 as a free replacement from Epson for a C82 that failed after 2 years use -- the C82's print head moved across the page as if printing, but nothing printed.
After only 13 months of light duty in-home use, the same problem occurred with the C88.
For me, the top PRO for Epson printers is the DuraBrite inks -- smudge free text printing and sharp, long-lasting photo prints.
Offsetting this IMO are too many CONS for the C8X series:
- printer durability (two C8X printer failures in 3 years)
- low capacity ink cartridges = high cost per print
- partially filled new cartridges (had 2 new cartridges that displayed as half-empty immediately after loading)
- ink wastage (indicator shows cartridge empty even though there's still ink in the cartridge)
- page feed alignment (no problem with heavyweight paper, but 24 lb paper frequently fed at a slight angle).
Prior to the C82/C88 I owned a couple of Epson printers that were still functioning perfectly when I replaced them after 7 and 5 years trouble-free use. My perception was that Epson = quality.
My perception has changed 180 degrees after experience with the C8X series. While the price-point on this series seems attractive, in my experience the life-cycle costs are high.
