Modded Inkjet Printer
About last month, I sold off my lousy inkjet in replaced for this one. A modded Canon Pixma model MP 258 (it’s ~RM 220 range).
What’s a modded inkjet printer?
It’s a modified printer that comes with an external (air filtered) ink tank connected using a feeder tube. See photo above. These special ink are way much cheaper than the original and last ALOT longer too (~450-500 photo print pages).
The only problem with this is the regular ink is not water resistant (there’s a special one for that but, not practical to purchase unless you are into photography printing full time) and you have to stick to a particular brand of ink for that.
Also, because this is a modified printer, Canon will not hold any responsibility on the warranty of the printer.
For me, I think this is a perfect printing machine especially to print my comics and creative work that I’ve done. I also found out indirectly that, printing on Glossy paper sheet does help in water resistance too provided the ink is dry on the paper first.
Features of getting this type of printer
Pros
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The carbon based ink doesn’t dry like normal cartridges would and they have an air filter nozzle to prevent that.
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The extra tank outside, will continuously feed the printer’s printhead using a tiny feeder tube.
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(~450 – 500) photo printed pages is ALOT. And a set (black, colored bottled ) of special ink to refill the external tank is only ranging RM 70 – RM 80.
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Printing on A4 glossy is now normal as the recon paper gets cheaper as more and more printer of “this type” released in Asian market.
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You can print your own photos now.
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This printer is also a scanner and has a photocopy function.
Cons
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There’s no factory warranty for this printer. Canon will not hold any responsibility on the warranty of the printer. Normally, the shop will provide 1-2 weeks warranty on the printer only.
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The “artificial” printhead (an alternate printhead cartridge which connects to the feeder tube) may get damaged causing the tube pressure to drop resulting ink not reaching there. You can see if your tube ink start dropping back to the tank and no longer flowing to the printer. Should “artificial” printhead damaged is only cost around (RM 50-60) to replace it.
Overall, if you ask me – I’ve never regretted buying this modded inkjet printer. Overall cost still beats my laser colour printer with an added advantage it can print on glossy paper. A perfect buy for print related designers and photography enthusiast.
Where can I buy the canon MP258 that is modded
well is more like a modification job services rather than a product. try locating a local computer shop which focus on selling printers. then ask them if t hey do modification. It’s widely sold in this form in asian countries.