Dan Leithauser
- Comment
The Canon Pixma TS9120 is a premium printer that, once set-up, seems to operate reliably and with just a little care and feeding. However, there are some issues people may want to consider in purchasing this printer, which also forced at least a one star reduction from five. Unpacking was simple, and everything was clearly marked. Quick start instructions were the first things out of the box, and relatively clear to follow. The printer itself is solidly built with typical plastic that should be handled appropriately. Lots of protective tape and plastic covering needs to be removed prior to plugging the printer in, as trays may want to extend, etc. As for initial pre-setup, ink and printer head calibration were pain free. Powered up and following instructions, from directly downloaded software (a disc is also provided), there were issues with the network connection under Windows 10. It would not install automatically, and Windows could not find the printer. Windows settings could not find the printer. After a bit of searching in the printer menu itself I found another way to connect that is not clear in the instructions provided online or in the unending loop of waiting for a printer to be found on the install software. On the printer menu, there is a section to connect directly to a wireless router. Once I entered the local password, everything proceeded properly. The install software found the printer and it was added to the list of printers and scanners in Windows 10 settings. I do not know if this is a Windows or Canon issue, but certainly more instructions need to be provided either in the install software or on the printer settings to guide you to alternative methods of diagnosing a connection problem. Once running on the local network, all seemed easy, and following the instructions online and on the printer itself were great until it came time to actually selecting the rear tray for paper feed. Putting paper into the rear tray and “registering” it as plain paper did not make that same tray the default for printing. There are no settings that provide for that default. Printer properties during printing do not have a front or rear tray selection, only a paper type selection. Windows settings did have a tray selector setting but it was default to “automatic” which provided no selection. For my normal uses, I print using regular paper and onto plain paper mailing labels. My current HP printer has a front feed so I can just put a label in on top of the normal plain paper and it feeds the top sheet for the occasional label. It is not quite that easy for the Pixma TS9120. Apparently, after some searching, if you select plain paper in both the bottom and rear tray, the automatic default is the bottom tray—there is no way to make the printer use the upper tray (for plain paper) when the bottom tray has paper in it. The default tray will be the rear tray ONLY if the bottom tray is empty. You can force the rear tray to be detected by selecting a different paper type when “registering” the paper (or in my case mailing label, for which there is no option, but I selected “envelope”) on insertion and then specifying that same paper type during printing. Strangely, in the help file I read online, there should be a setting on the menu to allow you to make the rear tray the default for plain paper. On the TS9120, there is a place to specify paper type for each tray, but no setting to force the routine use of the upper tray for plain paper. A firmware update did not change this lack of functionality. This is not convenient and may be confusing to most users. If I have just loaded a paper into the rear tray, I want to use it and it should be the automatic default. Alternatively, the printer properties, should allow tray selection during printing and allow the setting of a default in same. After those operational issues were resolved, I installed the Canon print app on my apple ipad air 2. The install was trouble free and seemed easy to use for quick wireless printing from your pad or phone. As to quality of printing, plain paper documents are just fine and speed is acceptable. A couple of photos printed using Kodak premium photo paper showed good color rendition and no issues, although they did take a bit more time than straight documents. A scan and copy of those same color pictures onto plain paper also produced acceptable results. In each of these tasks, the menu system was intuitive and easy to navigate. I cannot speak to ink usage or replacement cost. The multiple cartridge ink system promises (and delivers) clear and color accurate photos. It appears from what I can gather on Amazon that this printer will allow third party ink use, of which there are some inexpensive selections. The biggest advantage wireless printers have is that they can print from variety of sources while allowing you to place the printer anywhere that is convenient. As I found out, guest computers, signed into your wireless network can also use this printer easily. This Canon Pixma TS9120 provides that wireless convenience and capability (after set-up considerations) and produces great print quality. The lack of being able to exactly specify a default tray (with plain paper) is a minor gripe, but one that keeps me from giving a full 5 stars for this printer.