Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

First, a little background: I have been using substitute inks for several years now, across the main printer brands of Epson, Canon & HP, and ranging from 'add you own ink' to substitute cartridges to CISS (continuous ink system) to replacement cartridges (like these JARBO ones)...and I've also used/tried several other brands of cartridges. Currently I am using two HP OfficeJet Pro 8610 printers. Here's what I've found generally overall and specifically with these cartridges: • Some replacement cartridges (and some competitive brands to JARBO) state that you cannot mix their cartridges with cartridges from HP (or other brands)...that is, if you need to replace one, you must replace them all. Generally speaking, this is not a big issue as the $ you're saving in the longer run makes disposing of otherwise working cartridges worth it. These JARBO cartridges, however, CAN be used alongside HP cartridges, which is a plus! • Many other brands have 'issues' of one kind or another. For example, I have opened cartridges to install replacements to find that the ink has somehow spilled all over my hands. Some brands have a fairly high rate of 'cannot recognize cartridge' incidents...and depending on what was paid for those cartridges, I (at time) have found that the # of cartridges I've had to throw out translates to nearly paying as much as I would have if I had purchased "genuine HP" (or other brands') cartridges. Obviously, I never buy these kinds of cartridges again and move on to try somebody else. JARBO has a relatively low incidence of these kinds of problems. • One frustration I've generally found is that there are two basic kinds of ink: Pigment-based and Dye-based. I've seen several 'warnings' to NOT mix these two kinds of inks as they will (supposedly) gum up the print heads and produce inconsistent results. Problem is, replacement ink cartridges RARELY, if ever, identify the types of ink used (Pigment vs. Dye), so there is often no way to know if what you're putting into your printer is consistent with other inks already in your printer. This is true with the JARBO inks too...I have been unable to find ANY information indicating what kind of inks are in these JARBO cartridges. The HP web site states that their Black ink is 'pigmented' while their color inks are something called "Vivera" (whatever that means). I can find NO indication of whether or not JARBO are Pigment-based inks. Now, with all of that said, these JARBO inks seem to work just fine when used in combination with original HP inks that came with the printer (I've owned and used both printers for about 1 1/2 years now). Frankly, I just don't know with other printers whether or not I have ended up mixing these two types of inks since nobody seems to do a clear enough job of identifying the type of ink in their replacement cartridges. I've gone through a number of printers over the past five years where they've stopped working well or stopped working entirely, despite my earnest attempts to be sure ink types were/are matched. I just wish JARBO would indicate the type of inks in their cartridges. • Specifically with respect to JARBO inks, I purchased the 2-set combo (with 2 Blacks in each set) and have been using them for about 3 months now. When they work, I've found them to be very satisfactory. But what I mean by "when they work" is that I have had two cartridges so far from the seven I've used from this 10-pack give me messages of "this cartridge appears to be damaged". Since I have two identical printers, I've pulled a cartridge out of one machine (thinking that the problem might possibly be the printer rather than the cartridge), but found that the identical message appears when I place the "damaged" cartridge in my other, identical printer. The same thing happened with both of the "damaged" cartridges. My conclusion: The cartridge is the problem, so I've had to toss them. In addition, I replaced a Magenta cartridge this morning on one of my printers after receiving an 'out of ink' message, but while it works, the HP Utility shows it to be only 1/4 full. Time will tell on that one. SO, my NET experience has been positive overall so far. Sure, I hate having to toss out what at first appears to be a perfectly good, 'new' cartridge because I've received the "damaged" message (which means the printer will not print until you put in a replacement). Frankly, I have found it unrealistic to expect every single 'replacement' (i.e., non-genuine) cartridge to work. I just chalk it up to the price one pays for purchasing replacement cartridges at roughly 25-35% of the cost of 'genuine' HP cartridges (in this case)...so while I'm not happy to have to toss out cartridges, one is STILL much better off using these JARBO cartridges than purchasing the insanely-priced 'genuine' HP cartridges. All of this 'replacement cartridge' business IS improving, however, and my experience and judgment tells me JARBO is 'closest' to achieving nirvana. I've given JARBO four stars with the caveats above. Hope this commentary is helpful!