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(More customer reviews)I just puchased the PictureMate Flash which is the same as the Snap except it has a built in CD burner. After corresponding with Epson I will probably be returning the Flash. According to Epson Web Support the new PictureMates have gone back to using dye based inks and use 4 color inks. I quote from Mark A of the Epson Connection "The new PictureMates, which includes the Flash all use dye based inks and are four color".
Epson now advertises about the prints from the new PictureMates in the following way "Best of all, prints from PictureMate Snap will last generations, and longer than traditional, film-processed photos. Each print is smudge, scratch, water and fade resistant for convenient, worry free handling."
Whereas the replaced PictureMate Deluxe used 6 color inks that according to Epson are "Then, print using superior 6-color archival pigment inks, for photos that will stay brilliant for years longer than any other digital printing option. In fact, they outlast traditional film-processed photos as much as 2-4 times longer. And, they last longer than prints from other dedicated 4" x 6" photo printers by as much as 25 times¹. All this, and they're even water and smudge-proof for worry-free handling."
In short the older PictureMate Deluxe used 6 color pigment ink that is "water and smudge-proof for worry-free handling" while the new PictureMates use 4 dye inks which are "smudge, scratch, water and fade resistant for convenient, worry free handling".
The older PictureMate prints are claimed to be "water and smudge-proof" the new PictureMate prints are "smudge.. and water resistant".
Is this a big deal, I think it is. If your like me, I like to display my pictures on the refrigerator and show them around at the dinner table when we go out to eat. No longer are the pictures water proof and dye inks fade quicker in the sunlight then do pigmented inks.
In the past when Epson printers were the only pigmented ink 4X6" photo printers I would recommend them hands down over the dye ink printers because of the permanence of the prints, now Epson has gone back to dye inks and 4 colors. I would check out other manufactures before buying an Epson portable snap shot printer because many of the other manufactures offer more conveniences such as printing both 5"X7" and 4"X6" and now offer as good if not better picture quality.
The PicureMate Deluxe as of today December 15, 2006 is still offered by Epson on line with an instant rebate bringing the price to $89.99 an excellant buy for an excellant printer.
The Epson PictureMate Deluxe with its 6 pigmented inks produced great color long lasting sharp prints. My wife loves the simplicity and ease of use and the GREAT pictures the PictureMate Deluxe produces. If you want great prints that won't fade easily in daylight get one of the PictureMate Deluxes before they are gone.
In favor of the new PictureMate Snap and Flash they are said to have the ability to take red eye out without using a computer, a nice feature if you are using your flash on a point and shoot camera to take pictures.
I have not tested this feature on my new Flash and it would be interesting to know if anyone has experience using the red eye removal feature.
I have given the new PictureMates a 3 rating because I now find them to be on average with other comparable printers, unlike the predecessor PictureMate Deluxe which I would rate as a 5 because its pigmented ink was far superior over other manufactures using dye inks.
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Epson PictureMate Snap 4x6 Photo PrinterEpson PictureMate Snap 4x6 Photo Printer
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