Epson new printer advice

[Rider]

I'm finally thinking of getting rid of Epson 4000. Wife finds it too difficult to use due to frequent clogging and paper handling issues.

On the table are new 3880 for $1250 + tax or used 3800 for under $900 delivered.

I know that the 3880 is better, but is it $450 better, given that I'm really not unhappy with image quality of 4000?

Also, I keep looking at the 4880 rebate (4880 comes out to $1250 + tax after rebate). I don't want the 4880 because it takes up too much room and doesn't print on 4x6 paper. But, to my thinking, the 3880 can't be a good value when it's priced almost the same as the 4880.

So what you do all think?

[Doug Dolde]

7900

[BarryS]

I have the 3800 and don't think the incremental difference between the 3800 and 3880 is worth an upgrade for me. The 3880 has a slightly improved gamut due to the vivid magenta ink, but the question is--will that make a difference for you? I print mostly toned black and white images and a lot of my color work has a muted palette. If your work relies heavily on saturated colors or you like to turn Photoshop up to 11--the 3880 may make a difference. For a $250 difference, I'd go with the 3880, but $450 is real money--at least to me. That would buy a good supply of premium paper and some extra ink carts.

[Greg Gibbons]

I purchased the 4880 over a 3800 not for the improved gamut (which is nice but pretty small) but more for the supposed improvement against clogging. For me, anything that keeps it from clogging is worth a lot.