arritt@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu (02/12/91)
Questions about refilling DeskJet ink cartridges pop up fairly
regularly on this group. Perhaps some of you will be interested in
my recent experiences, using refills marketed by Graphic
Utilities, Inc. (tel. 1-800-669-4723).
The refills are packaged two per box at a price of $16.95. This is
roughly the cost of a single HP cartridge, so using these refills
yields about a 50 per cent savings. Like most other recently-introduced
products it claims to be "environmentally friendly", for whatever
that's worth.
Each refill consists of a cartridge-full of ink in a squeeze bottle with
a long metal nozzle. The instructions are clear and the process is
quick and straightforward. I did not get any ink on my hands or clothing,
despite having a high klutziness quotient.
The ink bled badly for the first 10 pages or so, but then the print
quality got much better. After this break-in period
the print quality was comparable to the original HP cartridge.
Further savings could probably be gained by re-using the applicators
and buying ink in bulk. Having already cut costs in half, I am not
inclined to hassle with testing different brands of ink and so forth.
I should add that I recently received a survey from HP inquiring
about my satisfaction with the DeskJet, and in particular with
the quality and value of the print cartridges. Interestingly,
they also stated that "although not recommended by HP, some
customers have used cartridge refills"; they then proceeded to ask
whether I had used a refill kit, and whether it gave satisfactory
results. Could this suggest that HP might be thinking about offering
cartridge refills?
DISCLAIMERS, ETC: (1) I have no relationship with the vendor except as a
customer. (2) This does not constitute an
endorsement by the University of Kansas, the State
of Kansas, or any other party. (3) The names of
commercial products are probably some company's (TM).
________________________________________________________________________
Raymond W. Arritt |
Dept. of Physics and Astronomy | "People never travel to look
University of Kansas | at flat landscapes."
Lawrence, KS 66045 | - from _Stop Making Sense_ ,
arritt@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu | by the Talking Heads
arritt@walrus.phsx.ukans.edu |
arritt@ukanvax.bitnet |