BACKGROUND
For years compatible cartridges have been
increasingly undermining Epson's market share of the replacement inkjet
cartridge market. Print quality of many (but not all) alternatives is
arguably every bit as good when compared to an Epson replacement cartridge
and in comparative studies
there is a perceptible or even a distinct
improvement in colour vibrancy with some makes of Epson compatible inkjet
cartridges.
Epson began adding chips on the
old Photo 870 cartridges
several years ago - These were called "Intellidge" cartridges.
The impression given is that the chips are
"clever" and measure ink levels, however, they in fact do no more than add
complication and act as a "control" over how many prints a user gets from
a cartridge. They do not measure ink level inside the
cartridge.
The use of the "Intellidge" chip system has
been extended to more and more new printers over that period - to date.
Indeed it looks now as though Epson will not be manufacturing any new
printers without this chip system. All current models use
cartridges with chips fitted.
ABOUT THE EPSON INTELLIDGE CHIP
SYSTEM
FACT(1)
The chip does not measure actual ink
level(s) inside the cartridge
FACT(2)
The chip has no connections inside the
cartridge body
FACT(3)
The chip simply sits on the
cartridge -When installed it is connected to circuitry inside the printer
- the printer will not function
without a chip connected or when
a chip reads "empty"
FACT(4)
Epson printers will function
properly with non Epson (compatible) chips and cartridges.
HOW DOES THE EPSON
Chip System "WORK"?
When a new cartridge is
installed the chip registers "full" and therefore the Ink Level Monitor
shows "full". During printing (or indeed cleaning cycles) the droplets of
ink fired through the printhead are being counted - once the
total number for the cartridge is
reached the chip is "switched off" At that stage the
printer can not be
used to print and in normal circumstances an end user would instal a new
cartridge.
INK LEVEL CHIP
RESETTERS
The earliest solution
to appear in the UK was the JetTec ILRS system
for the Photo 780 / 790 / 870 / 890 / 915.This product was also
developed for the 680 / 777 - 1270 / 1280 / 1290 / Photo 900 & 2000p
ranges. The
ILRS system is discontinued and superseded by
Jettec unique 30% and 100% extra cartridges.
CHIP RESETTER - REFILL SYSTEMS
A number of new systems
which allow users to reprogramme / reset the chips and refill cartridges
with ink have appeared. The first "Universal" model with unlimited
resets was the JY168. This was improved and appeared as the JY268 or
Q368. The latest model available the YXD268
MkIV
(Dual Bracket model) has the best chip reset
indication & recognition and resets even the latest
models of Epson printer cartridges (more
below)
The YXD268 MkIV
Universal chip resetter has
been incorporated with inks to make up extra value refill ink kits for
popular Epson printers:-
|
YXD268
