Customer Reviews

Canon BJC-5100 Bubble Jet Printer

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Canon is not the printer to get if you want high-quality graphics. Adequate for simple color graphics and text, but many other similar-priced products are far ahead in terms of graphics output quality.

If you want photo-realistic color, go for an Epson (preferably the Epson 750) or Lexmark (Z51 is pretty good).

I was enticed by the supposed "photo quality" of this printer, which of course looked great in the store. I have had a continual problem with what I see on my monitor, not being what I get out of this printer. Serious color discrepancies. I have spent much time reworking a photo to get it to where I think the printer might respond to my liking. It's too much guesswork, I don't have the desire to try to get inside my printer's mind that much. The really aggravating thing is the cost of the photo ink cartridge, at approximately $50 a pop. Ouch! And let me tell you, this thing is thirsty! After buying a couple of those, you could get a much better printer, which I'm about to do. OOps! For everyday printing of text and some graphics, I suppose it's adequate. However, if you need to print photos, don't bother with this printer, I wish I hadn't.

I needed to purchase a printer capable of accomodating 11x17 media for my architecture coursework and was initially attracted to the canon bjc5100 due to its price. I owned a canon printer previously and was well satisfied with it but this printer has done nothing but let me down. I found the manual feed-from-behind feature a tremendous annoyance as it requires a great deal of space. Also the printer does not automatically align any media fed from the rear so at least a third of my papers go through crooked despite profuse efforts to get them in straight. I also had a new problem occur recently. The printer decided to no longer recognize 11x17 media size and now every time I want to print at that size, I have to custom set it. Very annoying. Sure it's now going for around 99 bucks in all the stores, but keep in mind you're getting what you pay for.

This printer came with the computer system we purchased awhile back. It definitely outperforms the old HP Deskjet 600C we'd been using, printing better quality photos at a better rate. Cartridges are expensive (aren't they all!)

Why only 3 stars for a decent printer? We have had a few problems with it. We had to try a couple of times before the installation software would let us install the drivers. Right now we're having a slight problem with the output, as it's suddenly printing grey splotchy areas in select parts of our photos (yes, we've done all the normal troubleshooting steps.) We sent an email to Canon's service center last night. Aside from an autoresponse email, we have not yet received word from Canon. I've contacted HP customer service before and gotten a much quicker response. Honestly, I think the next printer we'll be going back to an HP because service counts...alot.

I have absolutely loved this printer. It carried me through 3 years of school without constantly running to the computer lab to print drafts of papers. It handles a very high volume well.

I have also found that by ordering off-brand ink tanks I can save a lot of money. Frankly, if you buy the Canon, HP or whatever manufacturer's ink, you're really being bilked out of a lot of money.

I'm selling my printer because, like many of you have found out, it is not XP compatible. That's very clearly stated on the box. A manufacturer has no obligation to provide you with new drivers because you didn't read the printer information before upgradning your computer. If you're running an older OS and plan on doing so for a while this is a great little printer. It comes with my highest recommendation!

This printer has given me constant problems. For one, it kept telling me that it was not connected when it was. When I print a test page it prints, but when I print from a Word Document or Photoshop it doesn't. It also tells me that it is out of ink when I just replaced it recently. The orange light is also constantly blinking telling me that there is a problem. This printer is a pain... Their customer service is something you have to pay for. don't buy it!

I recently bought this model from my mom who had used it maybe twice. My intention was to use it for papers and occasionally photos, not really caring about the quality, more of durability. However I bought it from her in August and now it is November and kaput! It keeps telling me I need ink, so I go and buy the (...) cartridges and it still says i need ink. Done all troubleshooting and maintence possible, called canon, and they want money (...) to even talk to me. I'm soooo upset. I had heard about Canon's low quality, and now i know it. Printer lasted a little over a year 6 days to be exact (hmmm funny their warranty is only a year) with minimal to moderate usage and now i just want to throw it my window... I'm gonna go buy an Epson. If you know whats good for you, dont buy a canon!!!

I have owned my BJC5100 for just under 2 years. Maybe not even. Now that I have a new PC, I find that it is not supported by the Windows XP drivers. Canon, doesn't support it on these drivers either. I have tried a few tricks to get it to be recognized, and to print, but have only succeeded in becoming frustrated. Especially when it sits there like a...paperweight.
I love my little BJC5100. Unfortunately this love affair has to end. Fortunately, the printer will be gifted to a young relative who will be able to use it. This I find much better than sending it to a scrap heap.
As far as a review of the printer: well, you have to see it for yourself. It prints in brilliant, crisp colors, professional looking black type, and, newspaper quality grayscale. To own one IS to love one.

this printer was obsolete the day i bought it about 2 years ago. when you turn it on or submit a print job it beeps, clicks and whirs for abour two minutes before it ieven begins to print.

it is very tempermental and if you push any buttons before it is finished clicking and whirring (there are long silent gaps so be sure it's finished)it locks up your whole computer. this is with windows 98. i was told by a canon technician that it was not designed for w 98 or higher.

the printing is tempermental and slow. i am sorry i bought it and now that mine is broken i will go to the top of a tall building and drop it off the roof.

I own two of these machines and I have to admit I am a fan of Canon products. I also own their digital camera and copy machine. For the money it is hard to complain about this printer. It delivers nice crisp text at a very acceptable speed and can do some really nice things with digital images using their photo cartridge. If you buy cartridges for this machine at your neighborhood office supply, you could complain that it can be expensive to run. I personally used compatibles that I purchase on the internet and use a refill kit on the larger tank in holder two. This really makes the machine economical. The fact is that if you use a manufacturer's ink on any machine, you will pay a premium price. That's how they make their money. The larger format ability of this machine is also a bonus considering the low cost to initially acquire.