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[Taproot]

I guess this is the right forum for this. So I got a Primera Bravo II CD DVD robot. Does anyone know what consumer ink cartridge the Primera cartridges are compatible with? Surely they're not exclusive to Primera. I want to start re-filling the black cartridges, but I have to have reference. Thanks.

[TotalSonic]

Taproot wrote on Fri, 05 September 2008 09:58

I guess this is the right forum for this. So I got a Primera Bravo II CD DVD robot. Does anyone know what consumer ink cartridge the Primera cartridges are compatible with? Surely they're not exclusive to Primera. I want to start re-filling the black cartridges, but I have to have reference. Thanks.

Standard Lexmark cartridges (forget the numbers) used to work in the old Primera Signature I & II printers - but since I think the Signature IV on up to the present models afaik Primera has added a proprietary chip into their ink cartridge that if not present will not allow the cartridge to be used in their printers!  So unfortunately us Primera printer users are stuck buying their relatively expensive ink cartridges.  

After previously struggling with some poorly designed or built CD printers (i.e. various models from EZCD and XLNT Idea) got to say that I've had very reliable performance and quality prints from my Primera Z6 - so the extra cost of the ink doesn't really bother me relative to the cost of having to replace printers at annoyingly short frequency.

Best regards,
Steve Berson  

[Thomas W. Bethel]

Microboards has the same thing. You cannot use the MUCH cheaper HP cartridges and you have to use the Microboards ink with a built in chip. There has to be a way to fool the machine so you can use the cheaper inks. I can get two HP cartridges for what I pay for one Microboards ink cartridge. The older Microboard models would work with the normal HP ink cartridges but they built in the need for the "special" cartridges when the newer machines came out. Bummer.

[bblackwood]

I'm sure you can refill those cartridges if you want.

With all the discs I print on my Primera I still only replace them maybe twice/year.

[Taproot]

bblackwood wrote on Sun, 07 September 2008 05:57

I'm sure you can refill those cartridges if you want. With all the discs I print on my Primera I still only replace them maybe twice/year.

I'm really happy with mine and the ink usage is very pleasing.

My question is, what cartridge are they compatible with? I don't actually need/want to buy the consumer cartridge. To refill them, I was told they need a compatible cartridge #. I can refill them for $10 vs. $30+ and I don't have to wait on shipping if I'm in a bind.

[bblackwood]

Taproot wrote on Sun, 07 September 2008 12:58

My question is, what cartridge are they compatible with?

I have no idea.

[TotalSonic]

Taproot wrote on Sun, 07 September 2008 13:58

bblackwood wrote on Sun, 07 September 2008 05:57 I'm sure you can refill those cartridges if you want. With all the discs I print on my Primera I still only replace them maybe twice/year. I'm really happy with mine and the ink usage is very pleasing. My question is, what cartridge are they compatible with? I don't actually need/want to buy the consumer cartridge. To refill them, I was told they need a compatible cartridge #. I can refill them for $10 vs. $30+ and I don't have to wait on shipping if I'm in a bind.

Not 100% positive - but I believe the color cartridge for the Bravo is the Lexmark 35.  

Doing a Google came up with this site of someone selling instructions for converting Lexmark cartridges for use in Primera's - I have no idea whether this works or not but you can check it out at - http://www.primera-secrets.com/

Got to mention that my experience using refill kits for other types of ink cartridges has often been fairly negative.  Hopefully ymmv.

Best regards,
Steve Berson

[Taproot]

TotalSonic wrote on Sun, 07 September 2008 16:54

Not 100% positive - but I believe the color cartridge for the Bravo is the Lexmark 35.   Doing a Google came up with this site of someone selling instructions for converting Lexmark cartridges for use in Primera's - I have no idea whether this works or not but you can check it out at - http://www.primera-secrets.com/ Got to mention that my experience using refill kits for other types of ink cartridges has often been fairly negative.  Hopefully ymmv. Best regards, Steve Berson

I went down to the local office supply co. and checked out cartridges. For what I have(Bravo II), it's Lexmark 16 for black and Lexmark 26 for color. I'm gonna try to refill the cartridge at Walgreen's first and then buy a generic 16 and see if either work. I'll post results.

BTW, I've good results refilling black cartridges, but for some reason, the color ones just don't work.

[Taproot]

FYI, I ran out of ink yesterday. I took the cartridge to Walgreen's and asked them to refill it as a Lexmark 16. On the first try, she said the machine told her that it did not fill. The second try, it told her the cartridge was defective. She gave it back to me, at no charge, but I could tell it had been refilled. I went back and installed it and it worked flawlessly, other than a couple of minor streaks on the 5th or 6th disc.

I'm wondering if the alleged evil chip caused the refill errors? I guess the next step is to try a generic Lex 16. Has anyone tried this or is the proprietary chip an urban legend? Just curious. This is more of a fun experiment for me, but it's good to know that I can run down and refill in a pinch. And for free!  

P.S.- Just kidding about that last statement. If I continue to refill, I'll alert them to what's happening.

[brettportzer]

I have an older Bravo, and that is right about the Lexmark 16 and 26 cartridges.

I have had good luck getting the refilled at the local island inkjets.

They say you can only refill a couple of times though.

However, I think the key to the whole thing is just the bar code on the primera cartridges.

There is a little right light that scans the bottom of the cartridge, if you notice, and I am certain this is what it is looking for...  because, I heated the sticker up slightly and transferred it to Lexmark cartridges, and it still works.

Might be different on the older ones, I think mine is just a Bravo, it's CD only, etc...

[Taproot]

brettportzer wrote on Thu, 11 September 2008 21:37

I have an older Bravo, and that is right about the Lexmark 16 and 26 cartridges. I have had good luck getting the refilled at the local island inkjets. They say you can only refill a couple of times though. However, I think the key to the whole thing is just the bar code on the primera cartridges. There is a little right light that scans the bottom of the cartridge, if you notice, and I am certain this is what it is looking for...  because, I heated the sticker up slightly and transferred it to Lexmark cartridges, and it still works. Might be different on the older ones, I think mine is just a Bravo, it's CD only, etc...

Maybe twice for black and once for color cartridges. I think you're right about the bar code (color code). In this mass-production world, there's no way, IMO, that they would increase costs by inserting a chip to make a few "exclusive" bucks. I'll try the bar code (color code) on a generic cartridge and report back later.

As a side note, I actually liked the refill black ink better than the Primera. Lighter, more detail. Almost like a color, sepia print. JMO

[redavdp]

I tested it!
It works great!

The Primera Bravo (I use the older Bravo 1) is 100% compatible with the Lexmark 16 and 26.

Just peel off the color barcode and clue it together (I used plastic tape) on the lexmark model.


Primera cartridge compatible with lexmark

[Garrett H]

If it's a proprietary ink cartridge here's what I can tell you:

1. The chip will give ink refill stores (Walgreens) trouble, telling the tech the cartridge is defective or can not be refilled.

2. You will be able to re fill the cartridge if you're willing to tear it open, get the appropriate ink and syringe.  There is some weird pressurizing thing that has to go on, so they often must sit 24 hours before use.  

3. You'll only get 1 or 2 refills before the cartridge will stop printing correctly.  Then, you'll have to buy a new proprietary cartridge.

4. The companies will argue until the End of Days that there is a difference between their product and the standard (and much more affordable) cartridges out there. The problem is there is no real way to sort out if what they contend is true or not.  

5. It is my opinion that there only difference is the money the companies spend to have the proprietary micro chip embedded and the labeling and packaging of the cartridge.  Again, its my opinion that the ink and cartridge are otherwise the same as the general ones.

6. I challenge any manufacturer to prove substantive differences.  

7. Without going into an Adam Smith tirade, the general public is usually resentful of paying for goods and services that are artificially imposed upon them.  This, in my opinion, is one of those situations.  In the long run, companies that commit these types of market choices usually fail.

[Taproot]

I forgot to update. As redavdp stated it does work. And as I expected, there is no "chip". If you watch, after you change a cartridge, there is a red light (laser?) that illuminates under the cartridge to detect the color band.

I've refilled a black cartridge twice at Walgreen's. It was rejected and I told them that it was fine and perfectly usable, but they wouldn't allow me to pay for it, AGAIN. Works flawlessly.

Save your color bands!  

[Taproot]

I FINALLY CRACKED THE CODE!!!

I found that the color bands cannot be removed without disintegrating. When I ran out of ink the last time, I took a small craft saw and cut off the section of the cartridge around the color bands. I then took the pieces to a local print shop and had them do a high res scan of each one. I then had the graphics guy size them up, just like the original. I then had  him copy and paste a few hundred of each and print them out w/ a laser printer on glossy sticker paper.

It is bullshit to have buy those Primera cartridges online, then pay $12 for shipping (UPS ground) on an already expensive cartridge and then have to wait for them to arrive. It never fails to put me in a bind. Anyway, if any of you want a PDF of the color band file, email or PM me and I'll be glad to email it to you and you can print your own.