I'm writing in response to Dan Littman's article about
certain Epson printers suffering from "orange shift":
I'm the owner of one of the sites that are linked in the sidebar of the article (I've got the Epson Blues... ). I've tested 23 different papers with the Epson 1270 (and 8 other ink/printer/paper combinations), so I believe I have a little bit of experience with the problem.
I find the statements made by Mr.. McCoy to be unbelievable. "With any change to an ink it would be impossible to maintain the overall quality of the printer," says McCoy. "It would be a catastrophe."
Epson admits there is a real problem with the inkset, admits that the new paper really won't solve the problem, and then says that Epson will not reformulate the ink or provide any other solution. Other than the level of danger involved, this sounds kind of like Firestone saying "We know there's a problem with our tires, but we're not going to fix them. Just don't take the truck out of driveway and everything will be fine."
The technical issues involved in distributing new printer drivers are not that hard to surmount. Include a floppy disk, and a BIG printed warning, with each ink cart sold for the next year or two. Use the "no-refill chip" on the cartridges to ensure that new carts would not work unless the new driver is installed. Heck, just re-release the printer as the 1280, with a slightly different cartridge shape so the new carts can't fit the old printer. (As long as they'll continue to buy back the 1270).
"It's a usability issue," says McCoy. He insists the printers "work as stated."
Hogwash. Epson told me, in it's advertisements and on it's web site, that this printer could replace my 1 hour photo lab. I don't think so. Prints from my photo lab don't turn orange. And they don't have to be framed or put in an album to survive.
I think Epson is making a big mistake. While this problem was known only to those who hang out on internet mailing lists, Epson might get away with trying to mask the issue. Now that the issue is being discussed in the mainstream press, this attitude can only damage Epson's credibility, and hurt sales.
Continuing to make a product that is known to be defective could well open Epson up to legal action, as well.
Yours truly,
Bob Meyer
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