Note: This guide is in its fifth revision with some updated notes on chip resetters. (Dec' 3rd 2008)

Canon do it again!

It seems that since this guide was first written the goal posts have been moved yet again by Canon with the release of what I term the 600 range of printers (ie: iP3600, iP4600, MP620, etc...)

These printers use a completely new cartridge which is small in volume, has a much higher cost per page and of course, uses a completely different chip.

At this point in time there are absolutely NO resetters or alternative chips/cartridges available so if you are intending to use or use these printers you will need to use OEM (original equipment manufacturer - ie: branded) cartridges from Canon or Option #1 below.

Chip functionality

The Canon cartridge chips work in a number of ways to "protect" you from messing up your printer

1. You can't put the wrong cartridge in the wrong slot anymore (it knows what colour it is)
2. If the cartridge springs a leak the chip will kick in and let you know when the sponge is likely to be empty
3. When the ink in the spongeless side of the cartridge is registered as empty (using the prism built in) it'll warn you that your ink is running out

Unfortunately if, like me you like to re-use your cartridges and don't see the point in paying £40+ for a new set of cartridges (almost the cost of a new printer!) then the chips will also:

• detect if you've refilled a cartridge that's already been identified as running low
• detect if the number of printhead jet firings has exceeded the number of expected shots

In essence they detect if you're using non-standard kit, refill ink or Continuous ink supply systems

What are your options?

There are now three general options you can choose from when it comes to using non Canon brand (OEM) consumables (see the "quoted" sections below for additional information on each aspect)

1. "Refilling" your existing OEM/Branded cartridges and accept the "warranty invalidation" routine (see below)
2. "Refilling" your existing OEM/Branded cartridges and use a Chip Resetter (see below)
   
3. Obtain compatible cartridges or a CIS system that require "chip transfer" and acceptance of "warranty invalidation" (see below)
4. Use "third party chips" and/or cartridges (see below)

Refilling

There are a number of ways to refill your existing Canon cartridges with one particularly effective approach being the "German Durchstich" method. A quick search on Google should provide you with guide to this approach as well as the necessary resources. As always look for a quality ink to handle the refilling and consider the need to purge cartridges on a regular basis to avoid cloggation (algae and ink residue buildup). Online communities such as nifty-stuff printer forums will provide more on topics like this.
(see also "Warranty Invalidation")

Warranty invalidation (ink monitoring disabled)

If you refill, install a CIS or the printer recognises an inconsistency between its sensors and your cartridges.. you're going to get the "Warning" message that tells you that the printer can "no longer detect ink levels properly and do you want to continue".

You can choose to replace the cartridges or accept this warning three times before accepting a final warning that you're about to invalidate your warranty. If you continue you'll then need to press/hold the reset button for 5 seconds to accept this condition and continue printing.

On doing this you immediately lose the ability to track your ink levels for the affected cartridges and you'll need to monitor them manually or use one of the experimental ink monitoring tools that have been created to try and tackle this. (Try looking at inkmon.org)

Chip Resetters

(Updated: 4th November 2008)

Low Cost "Redsetter" (version #2) resetters

It's now confirmed that the small "redsetter" or chip resetters in the low £10 - £30 price bracket are now widely available and work as advertised. Unfortunately it's hard to know which kits are which as so many "clone" kits have appeared so your mileage may vary but overall the reports of working chip resetters are accurate and worth spending the money on.

Commercial grade (version #1) resetters

Until recently the only chip resetters available for Pixma printers were expensive ($500+) and as a result primarily only being used by large scale cartridge refillers. Unlike comparable Epson or HP chip resetters these systems required a full printer body so personal/casual refillers were priced out of the market.

Reset chips (through the high cost systems) are known to have some "features" to watch out for. If you are using a Pixma iP4200, iP5200, or a printer of the same generation (MP500, MP800, etc..) you should have no problems. Users with the next generation of chipped Pixma printers (iP4300, iP4500, iP5300, etc..) may find that reset chips don't work. The information on this limitation is sketchy but the indications are that you cannot re-use cartridges that have already been in your printer and reset. It seems the printer has been updated to remember cartridges and will refuse to recognise the reset of any it recognises.

The limitation above does not apply to the newer (version #2) redsetter units so version #2 redsetters are definitely the better way to go now.

IMPORTANT: Predictably Canon were quick to respond to the resetter technology and the newer iP4600, iP3600, etc... printers all use a completely different cartridge and chip type. Personally and professionally I would not recommend one of these newer printers simply because they are a step back in terms of functionality and ink volume with slower and lower resolution printheads and smaller cartridges. iP4500's or earlier are a much better option in almost every way!

Third Party Chips

Recently some Canon compatible chips have started appearing on the market that appear to mimic the original Canon chips. At the moment I can't confirm if these chips are ARC's or "Auto Reset Chips" but certainly they provide a simple option for anyone who doesn't want to buy a new set of Canon OEM cartridges just to get a new chip that's blown.

Chip Transfer

There are a number of 3rd party cartridges and CIS kits that can be used instead of Canon OEM/Branded cartridges but they do require you to remove the chips from your old/original Canon cartridges and transfer them to the replacements. This can work, however it's important to choose your cartridges carefully and carry out the removal/transfer without damaging the chips.

• Look for cartridge sellers that provide full instructions on how to remove the chips without damage
  
• Identify the proper way to install them correctly (ie: with LED still visible, etc...)
  
• Ensure you put the correct chip on the appropriate replacement (cyan to cyan, magenta to magenta, etc...)

Summary

The options available to Canon Pixma users have improved since the first chipped printer (and this guide) appeared and you no longer need to rely on refilling or chip transfer options as the only way to use your printer without paying through the nose.

 

Printers affected: (this is not an exhaustive list)

• iP4200, iP4300, iP4500
  
• iP5200, iP5300
  
• MP150
  
• MP170
• MP500, MP510, MP530
• MP800, MP810
  
• MP830
• MX300, MX310, MX700, MX850
  
• iX4000
• iX5000

Latest printers for which option #1 is the only alternative

• iP3600
• iP4600
• MP620
  

Rule of thumb... anything that uses the new "ChromaLife 100" ink set