Opinions Epson 7890 v VJ628

[MojoImagery]

I am after an opinion of the benefits of switching over to a VJ628. We purchased an Epson 7890 for sublimation printing it is fine I am happy with the print quality etc. We have been contacted bi the supplier with what appears to be a very good offer. We can purchase a VJ628 for a lot less than the RRP but must give up the warranty for the Epson (we get to keep the Epson). Now initial checks appears that the VJ628 is a slower machine and there is no saving in ink costs.

I have read a few posts that some users have reported that the 7890 can be a great machine or one that fails and can be expensive to repair. I just wonder how reliable the Epson actually is. I am a little unsure as none of the tech specs truly list all the features and whether or not it is happy as a network printer and the machine itself looks 'a bit cheaper'.

We just don't want to jump in and purchase a machine which is not as good as the Epson and then have no warranty if the Epson had a breakdown.

Cheers

Brian

[Justin]

I am as told about this offer last week. I owned a 7890 and I'm surprised yours is still working. I've never spoken to anyone that had used one successfuly for sublimation.

I read that the VJ uses the same head but have been told it's an industrial version.

If you've been offered the machine at the price I was told I'd go for it. Only drawback is you'll still be paying silly money for your inks.

[mags1892]

I have a lot of clients using the 7890 for sublimation on my inks its one of those things sometimes they last sometimes they dont, if you look after it its in a good humidity and temperature environment then its fine, also make sure you use a quality ink the heads in the 7890 are very temperamental. The head is the Mutoh (sawgras628) is the same technology so youd have the same issues with both. I have to also say this head is the most unreliable ive ever seen with epson I have clients who have machines on my ink they have been working for 4 years solid, I have some whos heads have failed I have soe with genuine epson pigment inks whos heads have failed also. As an epson engineer these machines are my main call out. The Vj628 is the same head so id imagine you can get the same issues sawgras will obviously warranty them with their premium priced inks . why not look at a epson 7880 second hand dx5 head yes slower but cheap to fix

PS there isnt an INDUSTRAIL version of that head theyre all the same , the solvent one has a heater thats it.

[Justin]

Very interesting, so the supplier that has told me it's an 'industrial' version of the same head is telling porkies???

What fascinates me is that this offer is being made, surely this is an admission that SG got it wrong with this printer and it just isn't suitable for sublimation? The VJ looks like an OK machine, not sure about build quality. Also, at full price it'a s very expensive 25" printer, I'd expect to be getting 44" for that money.

It was often said that the 7890 issues were down to the ink rather than the printer itself but obviously that's not all of the story.

7880/9880 is a much better option in my eyes, only issue is you have no warranty unless you get a good refurb deal.

[MojoImagery]

Reading between the lines the question I have to ask - is it the ink viscosity/make up that kills the print heads? So as a regular photo/media printer is the Epson 7890 more reliable?

I asked the supplier for further technical information and they came back and said they didn't have anything to add. My worry is that Mutoh have the machine listed as "Value Jet" so my concern is is this machine overpriced compared to the 7890? Conversely I don't want to get out of warranty for the print head to fail. - How much does a new head cost?

Justin - I wonder if you had the same call as us?

[Justin]

My 7890 is long gone after a long drawn out battle with SG. I use a 9880 now (just replaced my 9600) Much better inks at a fraction of the cost.

I assume this is a Sawgrass led offer and not just this particular supplier.

I'm sure the 7890/9890 are great machines but the printhead just isn't suitable for sublimation....or SG sublimation inks anyway.

Mags will give you a better indication but I'd expect £1200+ for a new head.

I see no point whatseover in using wide format machines with SG ink, you're just paying way more than you need to. Get the new machine and sell it on

[mags1892]

IUd say hes telling porkies justin as a engineer i can see the part numbers on the heads and cross reference them .
7890is fine for sublimation but the head in generally is not good, just keep it in a good environment and humidity its not too bad, the 9880 is the older dx5 head which are pretty bulletproof hence why so many DTG still use them. Like i said i have a number of clients using the 7890 and 9890 working fine and a number whove had devils own problems. and yes a head is circa £1200 including vat and delivery. ( i have stock of these but generally only get fitted to 9890s ).
the Mutoh is the same head so would need to be looked after much the same as the epson would.
SG have dropped out of the wide format market and sold out to KIAN who make inks infact they make MUTOHS sublimation inks

[MojoImagery]

So if I'm reading this correctly the 'new' Sawgrass VJ628 is just the Mutoh with a fresh badge on it. That said it would also appear that the Epson is fine if it is kept in ideal conditions rather than a fluctuating temperature/humidity environment. Looking at the specs the VJ628 appears to be a slower machine so printing would take longer, not that I am in a rush, but if both printers use a similar amount of electricity to run then the slower printer is less cost effective - in the long run.

It does seen that this is not a particularly easy area and is more grey area than a simple yes no.. Mags cheers for the insight of new head costings, that is something that everyone has to be mindful of. That said I could be swayed to run the new printer on Subli with the Epson as a 'regular' photo printer printing on paper/canvas etc.

[mags1892]

the price that ive seen it advertised from sawgras dealers is very cheap , I have access to that MUTOH for solvent and the price is crazy high so TMT have got a bargain in that respect. However a 4 colour epson surecolour is cheaper faster and same head as the f6000 .

[Justin]

I'm getting sample images from Chromaluxe. They now use the 4 colour Epson having previously used a 9890. Supposedly the reproduction is excellent and difficult to distinguish between 4 and 8 colour but I find this hard to believe. On a colourful vector graphic my 3110 is great although it won't compete with a Pro printer. Facial tones. gradients, greys etc. the Ricoh just can't print. I doubt the newer 4 colour printers can either but I wait to stand corrected.