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Time's Up for Me - I Think!

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S

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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
Well, after owning my NeoFlex original since 2010, sadly I think the time has come to throw in the towel on DTG!

Epson have stopped making the DX5 printhead used in the Neo and what there is left in the marketplace have increased in price 6 fold!! I used to pay £179 for a DX5 in the UK, today they'll cost me £900 +! Of course we're known as 'rip-off Britain' but I think it's same everywhere.

For sometime I've been buying up used 4880, 4800, 2880 and 2400 printers and taking the heads from these but the longevity isn't very good.

Today, another printhead failure and unless anyone has any ideas, I'm very sadly out :( :(
 
NoXid

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#3 ·
Stitch-Up said:
...For sometime I've been buying up used 4880, 4800, 2880 and 2400 printers and taking the heads from these but the longevity isn't very good...
Click to expand...
Why do you think that is? Just too many "miles" already on the head?

I have an R1900 that I use for printing films, and was thinking about getting rid of it just to free up some space (I bought a new printer for another purpose, but I think it could do double duty for me and print the films, too ... something I'll get around to testing). But you are making me think there could be more of a market for my used R1900 than I had assumed :)

I originally bought it to make a DIY DTG, but decided to screen print instead, and ended up using it to print films just because I already had it sitting there in the box. Sounds like I was on the right track in considering it for a DTG ;)

Anyway, good luck in sorting that out, and thanks for the accidental heads-up about my printer.
 
Z

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197 Posts
#5 ·
Hi guys,

could you confirm that EPSON 3880 also uses the DX5 printhead? I read it somewhere, sometime ago but now I can't find any info and when I look at google graphics it's a bit different than 3880 printhead.
 
JeridHill

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#6 ·
I'm doing this from memory, but these are the EPSON printers that use the DX5 head.

Epson Stylus Photo R800*
Epson Stylus Photo R1800*
Epson Stylus Photo R1900
Epson Stylus Photo R2000
Epson Stylus Photo R2400
Epson Stylus Photo R2880
Epson Stylus Pro 4000*
Epson Stylus Pro 4800*
Epson Stylus Pro 4880
Epson Stylus Pro 7400
Epson Stylus Pro 7800
Epson Stylus Pro 7880
Epson Stylus Pro 9400*
Epson Stylus Pro 9800*
Epson Stylus Pro 9880

Anything with an * had a non-teflon coated head, even though the heads are interchangeable. I may have missed some since I don't know much about the European market, but some of the above models were only sold in Europe.

The 3880 is considered a DX6/DX7 head.
 
D

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#8 ·
i feel you pain in this thread- I never expected the neoflex to last forever- we are replacing a main board this week in hopes of saving the neo-- we had just replaced the printhead 2 weeks before we had issues- the printer has been sitting idle since Nov.

I will not be staying with neoflex - as most wont - after the company abandoned us about 2 years ago-
the printer was supposed to be future proof - add a new printer on the base- that did not happen--
buy your supplies from AA and they will support you -- that did not happen

i have had my printer for over 5 years and only needed to call AA maybe 3 times- now if I call to ask a question - I have to buy a service contract-- i did it once and was less than thrilled with what I got for my money-- someone that seemed to know less than me about the printer.

We will be buying a brother GTX before the end of the year either way- they have a track record that will help us succeed.

Best of Luck in the Future John- I have always been happy for any help I get from you and the posts you have helped people with

Jim
Discount T-Shirts & Embroidery
 
A

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#11 ·
Stitch-Up said:
Look forward to hearing the news :)
Click to expand...
My original plan was this same base with newer printer. While Base is stronger than Tank. AA did it but it was so complicate to End users to do it. Many mistakes could be sighted. My tech came up with idea of simple way. He will be on forum very actively under name of NeoFlexExpert.
Cheers! Beers are on me always.
 
N

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103 Posts
#12 ·
Hi, I am NeoFlexExpert and have worked on Neo's for 5 years. Under approval from AllAmerican I can offer P800 upgrade for any NeoFlex system. You can use your existing base, simple change control board and display board (new LCD touch display), pop on new P800 printer, upgrade RIP (sorry but 4880 rip will not work) and your ready to go. Contact me for details. There is life in your Neo yet mate.
 
9

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#16 ·
For the last 4 years, we have observed STITCH UP and Twistinthewick be two of the gurus of the Neoflex 4880, with YouTube videos, responding to panic calls for help, sharing operating manuals, and sending noobies training videos. It is sad that both are looking at packing in their machines. Have the machines died, or is it access to PARTS and SERVICE have put the nail in the coffin.
It's obvious both have successful businesses so what now? Do you jump to other brands? Do you hope for a cost effective substitute to the 4880? Please share your plans.

We would like to praise you both for sharing your knowledge and hope you still can be our expertise when our Neo 1 phones in sick.

NEOFLEXEXPERT let's hear more of your fix to all this.
 
S

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3,098 Posts
Discussion Starter · #17 ·
I'm still here :)

Thanks for your kind words and support.

The NeoFlex has been my bedrock - brilliant DTG printer.

If I was to 'retire' the NeoFlex, that would be the last of DTG printing for me mainly because at the age of 65, I don't want to take on any more learning curves.

If Epson continued to manufacture the printhead used in the NeoFlex (original) my Neo would remain a brilliant asset. I feel I know it 'inside out' and I've never really required much external support. Yes, these forum pages have documented most of the problems any Neo owner is likely to encounter together with the resolution.

When I started out with the Neo, a replacement printhead would cost me £176, now, it's over £1,000 here in the UK! Fortunately I was able to purchase a brand new head at a better price and my Neo is now good as new :)

I have been buying up old Epson printers that use the same printhead but, like buying a 2nd hand car, you have no idea how it's been used - in short, I've not had the best experience with 2nd hand printheads and it was this that led to my consideration of retiring the Neo.

The combination of the Neo and the Kothari RIP is what has made the Neo such a good DTG printer.

Have fun.
 
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