Epson 870, Frameable 8x10s
Written: Jan 24 '01 (Updated Feb 05 '01)
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Pros: Awesome, Frameable 8x10s
Cons: Can't do large poster-size prints
The Bottom Line: The Epson 870 makes the best color prints I've ever seen.
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| christieray's Full Review: Epson Stylus Photo 870 InkJet Printer |
1. My wife wanted a photo printer.
2. I wanted to save money.
3. I read epinions' recommendations
4. I got the Epson 870 for under $200
5. Our pictures are now framed and hanging on our walls.
Do I need to say more?
OK, the first reaction you'll get from friends when you tell them you printed the pictures out on your new printer will be, "No Way!".
I must mention that yes, you will need to use Glossy Photo Inkjet paper if you want to get this response, and especially if you want to frame the pictures. Costco has a package of 50 8.5"x11"s for $10. So 20 cents a photo for the paper.
And yes, the photos do drink the ink. I used up the color cartridge that came with the printer in about 20 8x10 photos. New cartridges can be found on pricescan for $16 each. So you're looking at 20 8x10s for $16, or about 80 cents a photo for the ink. That totals $1 a photo, which is great, not to mention the ability to crop and manipulate the photos as you please. Let's just say, I keep printing and framing, and I'm running out of walls. I may have to give some as gifts to anyone who visits.
Also, the 870 has 6 colors, meaning 5 colors and 1 black. Most color printers have 4, meaning 3 colors and 1 black. What that means is that with more colors, the colors are a bit "truer" to reality, and the prints look better. Of course, it prints text, black and white, as any printer does.
Oh, and the Epson 870 won the top award by Digital Camera magazine, even beating out more expensive Epsons. Imagine that.
I should also mention that the photos I'm printing and framing are from either photos I've scanned in or taken via my Sony TRV510 videocam and transferred into my Sony 553DS PC. Check out my reviews on these. I couldn't be happier, and would strongly recommend the trifecta : Sony digital video cam, Sony PC, and Epson 870 printer. Together, you're looking at $2000-$2500.
Be sure to get a USB cord from Costco for about $6, so you can connect it up to your PC. And be sure to check pricescan.com so you can get the cheapest price on the 870 printer, as well as the ink cartridges. If you look, you'll find a place out of state, so that there's no sales tax, a $10 savings.
If you want to do bigger prints than 8x10s, then you'll have to ante up and pay double, as the Epson 1270 is in the mid $300 pricerange. Same quality, just can handle larger paper.
For the rest of us, you absolutely cannot go wrong with the Epson 870.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 195
Operating System: Windows
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Epinions.com ID:
christieray
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Member: Vienna Rose Vance
Location: San Diego, CA
Reviews written: 11
Trusted by: 5 members
About Me:
I'd like to live to be 100 and visit 100 countries.
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