Difference between Canon BCI-3e and BCI-6 ink tanks

[MediumRare]

Just what is the difference between the Canon BCI-3e (e.g. S6x or i850) and the BCI-6 (e.g. S9x or i865) ink tanks?

Some second source vendors suggest, for example, that the 3i colour tanks will also work in the i865. Does someone have more information?

Also, has anyone ever have to replace a Canon print head? How much does one cost compared to a new printer?
Thanks.

G

[hoxlund]

some canon photo printers take both 3 and 6 cartridges, the 6 cartridge is more of a photo black

just like HP's 58 cartridge which has photo black in it

as so are the words spoken of a staples associate

if you want more info i can ask our canon rep for more details

[MediumRare]

I may be making a fool of myself, but here goes with a bit more background.

My current printer (i850) is broken- prints colour stripes and pale intermitent black despite repeated flushing- and I don't know if it's just the printing head (which is definitely damaged) or something more. I have no idea what a new head will cost (will check this on Mon.) but if it's much more than, say, 50 Euros, I won't take the chance on it being something else and will buy an i865 instead (which will also print CDs and DVDs).

I realize that the i865 uses the BCI-6-colour cartridges (cmy) and 6-photo black and additionally the 3-cartridge for normal black.

Now I recall seeing on some second-source replacements for the 3-cartridges (cmy) that they'd also work in the i865. I still have some 3-cartridges left for the i850 and would like to know if they're usable in an i865 instead of the the 6-cartridges: are the physical dimensions different (they look pretty much the same) or is it the ink formulation that varies.

I guess I'm stingy and just hate to waste things.

G

[CowboySlim]

Start consulting with Canon help and be real nice. My printhead for my i850 clogged and after several communications they replaced for free as a one time courtesy. Probably cost more than the printer.

Slim

[aviationwiz]

as so are the words spoken of a staples associate

In 99% of cases, that means "as so are the words spoken by a supreme dumbass." The last time I went into a retail store, and I found a knowledgable employee, it must have been a good 4-6 months ago.

Next time you may want to sign it like Slim and say:

Code: Select all

hoxlund
The exception to the 99% rule

[hoxlund]

i gotta admit, i have never met anyone that knew as much as i did on computers and general technology knowledge that worked in a retail enviornment

[Matt]

In 99% of cases, that means "as so are the words spoken by a supreme dumbass."

Never a missed opportunity to be self righteous and condescending eh? Take into perspective the pay and training delt to retail employees. Is it a career job? What is their primary job function?

99% of their customer base is 50% more clueless than they are... However, they are still able to provide useful assistance in locating and recommending things that they're "told" should be recommended based on associated profit margins.

However, you would appear to be the "exception" customer (I think bestbuy labled them as "Demon" customers, if I recall correctly...) as you find time to astutely observe how much of a "dumbass" nearly all retail employees are....

[hoxlund]

if retail employees would just take advantage of some of the product training presented to them, then we wouldn't be having this conversation

www.retailaccess.com
www.intel.com/retailedge
www.hpinfolab.com
www.knoware.epson.com

[MediumRare]

Well it's 69 Euros for a print head and there may be 16% VAT on that. I think I'll get the i865 and chuck the old printer- it's too much of a risk that something else is broken as well.

@CowboySlim: I'm always polite to people I want something from (and to others too usually).

My main beef with retail employees is the high turnover (a lot of part time jobs too), so even if you do find someone who knows his stuff, he won't be there next week or even the next day.

G

[CowboySlim]

i865 is an excellent choice.

Slim

[hoxlund]

My main beef with retail employees is the high turnover (a lot of part time jobs too), so even if you do find someone who knows his stuff, he won't be there next week or even the next day.

G

this is true, ive seen about 2 dozen employees come and go through my store alone

our store was opened late november 2002, and we only have 5 original people that still work there, excluding me, i joined feburary of 2003

so ive had same retail job for about year and a half, part time too

[MediumRare]

i865 is an excellent choice.

Well I just ordered one. Did some checking and found that this model (apparently) isn't available in the US- there's an i860 instead without the option to print CD/DVD. Is this the case? So maybe once (for a change) Europeans get something that you guys don't. (even though our Euro-prices are 20% higher than your $-prices ).

Incidentally, I'm still interested in the differences between thesse cartridges. From the further searching I've been doing it seems to be the ink and not the physical dimensions that's different. Any confirmation or further information?

G

[hoxlund]

actually i think the 3 is a bigger cartridge, or maybe other way around

but the ink inside is diiferent formula too, like the 6 is more of a photo black in it

[MediumRare]

actually i think the 3 is a bigger cartridge, or maybe other way around

but the ink inside is diiferent formula too, like the 6 is more of a photo black in it

I know that that applies to the black. The colour cartridges seem to be the same size. The i865 uses both blacks, and the 6 is the same size as the colour cartridges.

G