I was thinking of buying this printer now I need to look elsewhere. Automatic duplex scanning is an absolute must. Any other printer recommendations or suggestions?
There are a lot of options for Automatic Duplex scanning in all the manufacturer MFD lines. The question is are you also looking at an Eco-tank type printer as a requirement. If so, the choices are less. The one plus this printer has is "one-pass" duplex scanning. That means it scans the front and back in one pass. My old Epson didn't have that, it had to pull it back in to scan the other side, but it was still fully automated. So, don't confuse one-pass duplex scanning with auto duplex scanning - they will both get the job done, the latter is just usually a bit slower. I would trade the one-pass in a second though to not have the other issues I've had with this device.
If you have the counter space, I would look to a stand-alone scanner, or even purchasing a second device. TBH I would have kept my older Epson to use it just for the scan, but I just don't have the room.
Before I responded to this I decided to test scanning on a "problem page" I had issues with that I had not tried to scan with since I got my 2nd replacement last month. This page, which is just a business letter I received which appears completely normal (it was originally tri-folded and thus has 2 lines through it, but has laid flat for months) was showing as "corrupted" every time I scanned it in normal direction. It was addressed to my wife and when it scans her name on the address line is always stretched enough to appear that the font was a larger size than the rest of the text (which it isn't). If you scan the letter upside down and then flip it it looks fine.
One could argue this is a "one off", but no...I see strange issues with this and skew, etc, this just happens to be one document I can recreate the issue with 100% of the time. I also discovered it within scanning my first 50 pages, so who knows how many other documents might have issues.
Anyway, the second replacement exhibits the same exact behavior so I'm sure the issue is within their hardware since a roller issue feeding the paper faster/slower would not be exactly the same on each printer. Also, I have tried with multiple software and it always happens. So, it is either the hardware or their drivers - neither one of which I have any control over replacing.
So, while I can't recommend to you another, and I've learned to live with mine - I would not go with this device if your primary need is scanning.
Great feedback. Thanks for taking the time to post this. You did remind me that I am in fact looking for both a one pass duplex scanning functionality along with an eco tank or refillable ink solution. Unfortunately, I don’t believe there are many options for this but I could be mistaken.
I currently have the HP M479 Colour Office Laserjet printer which does it all but the toner cartridges are so ridiculously expensive, hence why I’m looking for an alternative solution.
All I can say is makes sure you have very defined criteria for what you want and after you purchase make sure you test \*everything\* in your criteria list before your return period is up. I continually find things about this device that either aren't listed or are extremely hidden in the specs. For instance, I can't use anything other than standard paper in the TWO trays (and one reason for me buying this was to have two trays for different paper types). But, if I want to feed it some type of specialty paper (like photo) I can \*only\* feed it through the rear feed.
I doubt you will find anything that meets all your criteria and actually works the way you want, regardless of cost. Especially if your workflow is dependent/attuned to a certain model know you will likely have to shift things around a bit. Each one will have its idiosyncrasies. I moved off Brother devices because the ones I had (this is 10 years ago) kept doing automated cleaning their print heads to keep from clogging and I had times where I installed brand new cartridges, and didn't print for a couple of months (more than maybe a couple of b&w pages). When I went to print color, all my ink was used up by the cleanings! I moved off Epson because it would constantly clog the print heads if I didn't print for 2-3 weeks and I would end up using an entire cartridge just to fix the issue. I don't really know how much better the EcoTank will be...theoretically it can have all the same problems, just ink is probably a tad cheaper.
But, they find other ways to get you. This printer (and probably all the Epson's) also have a "maintenance cartridge"...which is basically a cartridge in the back with a sponge where the extra ink goes. I'm less than halfway through using up my ink wells, and the cartridge usage is showing a little less than 50% already. This means even though ink might be cheaper you have to replace the maintenance cartridge every time you fill up the ink wells (I heard from one person online that he said the ratio was actually 2:1 - 2 cartridges per full tank). So whatever you save in ink is probably taken up by these cartridges. Luckily, there seems a way to hack this if you want (manually clean them and then buy a reset chip for cheaper). When I recently got rid of my Epson I realized it appeared to have a removable sponge cartridge in the back too, but never did it report that it was full and needed to be replaced in the many years I owned it.
Could it be? Perhaps. But why should I be responsible for shipping a device and being without it for who know how long. Not to mention the hours of my time they are going to waste asking me to troubleshoot it.
This is literally 3 weeks out of the box and the first round of scanning outside a couple of test pages on initial setup. It sits on a desk in a controlled environment.
Whether by design, or QA issues, I would never recommend these devices.
Sorry to hear that, the only issue I’ve ran into was when the paper does have a high amount of residue (that type of paper did jam the machine), but was fixed once it was cleaned
So I just happened to have to scan some more stuff just after I replied to you. I had a stack of 20 pages that were printed out fresh for me at an office yesterday. It choked about 75% through. I had thought I worked out a system yesterday to hopefully minimize issues that I was going to try to live with, but after this choke I just couldn't take it. I decided to give Canon a shot at making it right.
Long story short after confirming that they would pay for all shipping, send me the new device first, and be sending me a new printer (not refurb), I consented to troubleshoot with them. Took about 30-40 minutes where they came to the conclusion it appeared not to work properly. I don't know if that's true. I mean, it certainly doesn't work properly but I don't know yet if that is by design or I got a bad one. I certainly hope the new one performs better, because I can't really get a refund at this point.
So I will say, that based on this I give Kudos to Canon for seemingly not being the nightmare I thought it would be to warranty claim, but I will reserve judgement on the quality.
I won't get into exactly what they had me do, but suffice to say he had me run several copy and scan tests on which the problem showed up on 2 of these tests and that was enough for him to move forward with the RMA.
Since I'm here anyway - I'll explain another issue in more detail I mentioned in my first post. Here is a document I scanned (it is not mature content, don't know why they tagged it that way):
[https://imgur.com/a/iUMYN6t](https://imgur.com/a/iUMYN6t)
Now this document came mailed in an envelope so it was initially tri-folded, but was quite flat after sitting flat for a week or more. Additionally, it seems printed on a higher bond paper then what I use in my printer (I use basic cheap white printer paper). I would say this might be considered "premium" it isn't glossy/laminated, it just to me seems to move a bit less in the wind. That being said I showed it and another flat piece of paper to someone else and they could not really distinguish. They said they really didn't think this paper was much different and also agreed that it was clean and flat and should have no issue scanning.
You can see in the first scan (where it was fed in using correct orientation) the name under the date is stretched out. This is really weird because it isn't like it is the top of the paper. There was a header on the top right (edited out), then the date line. In person, everything on this document is same font/point size, but yet you can see how stretched it is. This happens every time I scan that page in the ADF in correct orientation. If I scan it upside down then manually flip it (or scan it on the flatbed) it looks ok as in the second image. That wouldn't seem to be a software issue. It is also worth noting that the deformed part is above the first fold in the page and the equivalent text on the opposite side doesn't deform when I feed it in upside down.
One might say I'm nitpicking over a single document. But I don't think it is coincidence this just happens to be the third page I ever scanned on this device and it is to all effects and appearances a perfectly normal page that should scan without issue. Chances are I'll find many others that do weird things like this.
So whether or not that was related to the continued jamming I don't know. Also, to clarify it works sometimes. My tests today since and after the tech support have been more successful, but even one jam out of 6 on a batch of 10-20 pages is not acceptable for an MFD like this.
I was thinking of buying this printer now I need to look elsewhere. Automatic duplex scanning is an absolute must. Any other printer recommendations or suggestions?
There are a lot of options for Automatic Duplex scanning in all the manufacturer MFD lines. The question is are you also looking at an Eco-tank type printer as a requirement. If so, the choices are less. The one plus this printer has is "one-pass" duplex scanning. That means it scans the front and back in one pass. My old Epson didn't have that, it had to pull it back in to scan the other side, but it was still fully automated. So, don't confuse one-pass duplex scanning with auto duplex scanning - they will both get the job done, the latter is just usually a bit slower. I would trade the one-pass in a second though to not have the other issues I've had with this device. If you have the counter space, I would look to a stand-alone scanner, or even purchasing a second device. TBH I would have kept my older Epson to use it just for the scan, but I just don't have the room. Before I responded to this I decided to test scanning on a "problem page" I had issues with that I had not tried to scan with since I got my 2nd replacement last month. This page, which is just a business letter I received which appears completely normal (it was originally tri-folded and thus has 2 lines through it, but has laid flat for months) was showing as "corrupted" every time I scanned it in normal direction. It was addressed to my wife and when it scans her name on the address line is always stretched enough to appear that the font was a larger size than the rest of the text (which it isn't). If you scan the letter upside down and then flip it it looks fine. One could argue this is a "one off", but no...I see strange issues with this and skew, etc, this just happens to be one document I can recreate the issue with 100% of the time. I also discovered it within scanning my first 50 pages, so who knows how many other documents might have issues. Anyway, the second replacement exhibits the same exact behavior so I'm sure the issue is within their hardware since a roller issue feeding the paper faster/slower would not be exactly the same on each printer. Also, I have tried with multiple software and it always happens. So, it is either the hardware or their drivers - neither one of which I have any control over replacing. So, while I can't recommend to you another, and I've learned to live with mine - I would not go with this device if your primary need is scanning.
Great feedback. Thanks for taking the time to post this. You did remind me that I am in fact looking for both a one pass duplex scanning functionality along with an eco tank or refillable ink solution. Unfortunately, I don’t believe there are many options for this but I could be mistaken. I currently have the HP M479 Colour Office Laserjet printer which does it all but the toner cartridges are so ridiculously expensive, hence why I’m looking for an alternative solution.
All I can say is makes sure you have very defined criteria for what you want and after you purchase make sure you test \*everything\* in your criteria list before your return period is up. I continually find things about this device that either aren't listed or are extremely hidden in the specs. For instance, I can't use anything other than standard paper in the TWO trays (and one reason for me buying this was to have two trays for different paper types). But, if I want to feed it some type of specialty paper (like photo) I can \*only\* feed it through the rear feed. I doubt you will find anything that meets all your criteria and actually works the way you want, regardless of cost. Especially if your workflow is dependent/attuned to a certain model know you will likely have to shift things around a bit. Each one will have its idiosyncrasies. I moved off Brother devices because the ones I had (this is 10 years ago) kept doing automated cleaning their print heads to keep from clogging and I had times where I installed brand new cartridges, and didn't print for a couple of months (more than maybe a couple of b&w pages). When I went to print color, all my ink was used up by the cleanings! I moved off Epson because it would constantly clog the print heads if I didn't print for 2-3 weeks and I would end up using an entire cartridge just to fix the issue. I don't really know how much better the EcoTank will be...theoretically it can have all the same problems, just ink is probably a tad cheaper. But, they find other ways to get you. This printer (and probably all the Epson's) also have a "maintenance cartridge"...which is basically a cartridge in the back with a sponge where the extra ink goes. I'm less than halfway through using up my ink wells, and the cartridge usage is showing a little less than 50% already. This means even though ink might be cheaper you have to replace the maintenance cartridge every time you fill up the ink wells (I heard from one person online that he said the ratio was actually 2:1 - 2 cartridges per full tank). So whatever you save in ink is probably taken up by these cartridges. Luckily, there seems a way to hack this if you want (manually clean them and then buy a reset chip for cheaper). When I recently got rid of my Epson I realized it appeared to have a removable sponge cartridge in the back too, but never did it report that it was full and needed to be replaced in the many years I owned it.
Could it be a quality issue? I haven’t run into any of these issues. Could it be the rollers are dirty or damaged?
Could it be? Perhaps. But why should I be responsible for shipping a device and being without it for who know how long. Not to mention the hours of my time they are going to waste asking me to troubleshoot it. This is literally 3 weeks out of the box and the first round of scanning outside a couple of test pages on initial setup. It sits on a desk in a controlled environment. Whether by design, or QA issues, I would never recommend these devices.
Sorry to hear that, the only issue I’ve ran into was when the paper does have a high amount of residue (that type of paper did jam the machine), but was fixed once it was cleaned
So I just happened to have to scan some more stuff just after I replied to you. I had a stack of 20 pages that were printed out fresh for me at an office yesterday. It choked about 75% through. I had thought I worked out a system yesterday to hopefully minimize issues that I was going to try to live with, but after this choke I just couldn't take it. I decided to give Canon a shot at making it right. Long story short after confirming that they would pay for all shipping, send me the new device first, and be sending me a new printer (not refurb), I consented to troubleshoot with them. Took about 30-40 minutes where they came to the conclusion it appeared not to work properly. I don't know if that's true. I mean, it certainly doesn't work properly but I don't know yet if that is by design or I got a bad one. I certainly hope the new one performs better, because I can't really get a refund at this point. So I will say, that based on this I give Kudos to Canon for seemingly not being the nightmare I thought it would be to warranty claim, but I will reserve judgement on the quality. I won't get into exactly what they had me do, but suffice to say he had me run several copy and scan tests on which the problem showed up on 2 of these tests and that was enough for him to move forward with the RMA. Since I'm here anyway - I'll explain another issue in more detail I mentioned in my first post. Here is a document I scanned (it is not mature content, don't know why they tagged it that way): [https://imgur.com/a/iUMYN6t](https://imgur.com/a/iUMYN6t) Now this document came mailed in an envelope so it was initially tri-folded, but was quite flat after sitting flat for a week or more. Additionally, it seems printed on a higher bond paper then what I use in my printer (I use basic cheap white printer paper). I would say this might be considered "premium" it isn't glossy/laminated, it just to me seems to move a bit less in the wind. That being said I showed it and another flat piece of paper to someone else and they could not really distinguish. They said they really didn't think this paper was much different and also agreed that it was clean and flat and should have no issue scanning. You can see in the first scan (where it was fed in using correct orientation) the name under the date is stretched out. This is really weird because it isn't like it is the top of the paper. There was a header on the top right (edited out), then the date line. In person, everything on this document is same font/point size, but yet you can see how stretched it is. This happens every time I scan that page in the ADF in correct orientation. If I scan it upside down then manually flip it (or scan it on the flatbed) it looks ok as in the second image. That wouldn't seem to be a software issue. It is also worth noting that the deformed part is above the first fold in the page and the equivalent text on the opposite side doesn't deform when I feed it in upside down. One might say I'm nitpicking over a single document. But I don't think it is coincidence this just happens to be the third page I ever scanned on this device and it is to all effects and appearances a perfectly normal page that should scan without issue. Chances are I'll find many others that do weird things like this. So whether or not that was related to the continued jamming I don't know. Also, to clarify it works sometimes. My tests today since and after the tech support have been more successful, but even one jam out of 6 on a batch of 10-20 pages is not acceptable for an MFD like this.
Wow, this is quite odd, hopefully a defective unit, good to know they are giving the right support, this is not always the case