Visioneer Strobe 500 Color Scanner with Duplex and ADF Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I am often in need of scanning multiple documents, and the multi-sheet feeders of the various printers that I have had have fallen short--in a big way. They jam and you end up having to SLOWLY scan each document separately, flipping the docs over and having a separate file for each side/document. Tedious to say the least.
This product, on the other hand, is SO FAST and reliable! I was super surprised at how fast the documents not only fed through the scanner, but how quickly they processed into editable documents on the computer. The unit is quiet and smooth, and looks great in the office--not too obtrusive. (I hooked it up to a Dell PC with 12 gB of ddr3 RAM, 1tB hard drive, running multiple applications, and it didn't hang up once.)
The software included is extensive, and easy to maneuver. They come with detailed user manuals (on a CD). The unit contained all the necessary plugs and usb cables for both US and international use. You can even power the scanner via usb, so you're not stuck if you're needing it on the road for use with your laptop. Very nice!
I am really impressed with this unit. If you need to scan documents on a regular basis, and are sick of jamming, slow printers with useless software interfaces, this is for you.


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Visioneer Strobe 500 Sheetfed Scanner STROBE-500 Sheetfed Scanners

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Plustek PS286plus 25/50IPM ADF Document Scanner - 600 dpi - USB Review

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(More customer reviews)Overall, this scanner not only gets the job done, it's pretty reliable, too! I bought one for my home, first. Got addicted. Then, I bought one for my office. It's handy and has really helped clean up the paperwork! It's a good buy!


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Epson Expression 10000XL- Graphic Arts Scanner Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased this recently because I wanted to upgrade from my old scanner, the Microtek 9800XL large format scanner.
I create highly detailed scratchboard line art and wanted a scanner that could capture the best possible scans of my work, which I can color digitally and send out to clients in electronic form. (I wasn't confident that my old scanner was doing the job as well as I hoped for.) Both the new and the old scanner are large format but the Epson 10000Xl is more than twice the cost of the Microtek 9800XL. Do I think the upgrade is worth it? Without a doubt.
Here is a list of cons associated with the Microtek that made me take the risk to upgrading:
1. Quirky driver. Sometimes the software could not find the installed driver and I had to restart the computer several times before it would work.
2. Microtek support is practically useless.
3. Very noisy operation
4. Scans required a lot of post production to arrive at the best capture of detail between dark and light tones. I had to scan in grayscale @ 1200dpi, make adjustment with Photoshop before converting to bitmap. With this scanner, the B&W bitmap scanning option was not capturing all the details.
The Epson, in comparison, has been a joy to own. Not only are the results much better, but the unit scans straight to B&W bitmap flawlessly, saving me time in post processing. I do need to clean the scan from unwanted specs but that is still a 50% reduction of time spent getting it optimized. The unit is also much quieter, has a slightly larger scan area, and built with superior design and parts. The lid stays open when raised at an angle whereas the Microtek was a slave to gravity.
After owning it about a month, there have been no problems to report. Since my livelihood relies on the quality of the images I produce, its a good investment and well worth the cost.

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The Epson Expression 10000XL graphic arts edition is a large-format flatbed scanner designed for graphic artists and other high-end users. With its high 2,400 dpi scanning resolution, 48-bit internal color depth, and 3.8 optical density, images are crisp and accurate. The six-line alternated color CCD and auto focus optics system help to ensure that you get the best scans possible. Scan speeds are as high as 2.7 ms/line (at 1,200 dpi), while an optional automatic document feeder allows you to scan multiple sheets at a time. You can zoom in 1% increments anywhere from 50% to 200%.
The software bundle includes a variety of applications to help you easily achieve the best scan results possible. Titles include EPSON Scan 2.2, MonacoEZcolor with reflective IT8 Target, Photoshop Elements 2, and ABBYY FineReader Sprint OCR. The 10000XL connects to your computer via its standard USB and Firewire ports, and an optional network adapter lets you use the scanner as a network device. The AC 100-120V power supply consumes less than 55 watts during normal operation and about 6 watts while in sleep mode. Compatible with both PC and Mac operating platforms, the 10000XL comes backed with a one-year limited warranty.
What's in the BoxScanner, CD-ROM with software and drivers, power cable, user's manual and setup documentation, USB cable

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Visioneer Strobe XP 450 PDF Hi-Speed Businees Scanner with 600 DPI USB ADF and One Touch Technology (SXP4501D-WU) Review

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(More customer reviews)I've reviewed and used many scanners over the years. Each is inevitably a compromise. However, the Strobe XP450 is by far the best that I've tried so far in its price range. It's fast. relatively resistant to jamming, easy to set up, and has less skewing than most automatic sheet feeders. It's also very compact and reliable. Highly recommended. I use it in a law office setting and it's been one of the major reasons that I have been able to move away from paper based files toward a much more efficient digital law office.

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Visioneer Strobe XP 450 USB Sheetfed ADF scanner for Windows, 600 x 1200 dpi, 48-bit color (output), Hi-Speed USB 2.0 interface. Built-in 50 page ADF, 20 pages per minute (20 ppm @ 200 dpi). TWAIN Driver & WIA Driver (XP)

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HP Deskjet F380 All-in-One Printer/Scanner/Copier Review

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(More customer reviews)I got this free from HP when I bought a computer. I suspect HP sells these printers so cheaply because they make bigger money selling you ink.
I haven't had any problems with it - software or performance. But it's just adequate. After making 10 copies the ink indicator was at 2/3. It really only scans marginally well. If you want it for color scans or pictures take time to research better printers.
HP makes good moderate-use printers and this is one.

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Canon CanoScan LiDE 30 Scanner Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased this scanner specifically for the task of digitizing a box of old, disintergrating/fading old family photos, almost all being Black&White. I tried a few photos at a local copy place, but the $18 per hour (plus $10 CD burning fee) quickly convinced me that I could purchase a scanner for a lot less than what it would cost to scan the photos on an hourly fee basis.
With a few dozen exceptions, this scanner was able to satisfactorily scan my old photos. Even though this scanner has a number of limitations, I gave the scanner the top rating because it did perform as described/intended and is a good value for the dollar. I would buy this unit again. The ease of hardware and software installation was a pleasant surprise, and are easy to use. Even the included OCR software suprised me with the quality and accuracy of the resulting Word or PDF documents; it even could, with a little tweaking, scan and convert tabular information. (This is an added, unexpected benefit, as I have a 200+ page document, mostly tables, that I have always intended to convert to PDF format but postponed the task due to the emense retyping involved.)
I have always disliked the "Stars" and "Best Buy" rating systems as I have been 'bitten' several times when I bought some highly rated products. No product is perfect; all have things that it can do well, and some things it can't do well (or at all). If you are unfortunate enough to buy a top rated product that can't do the one thing that you need it to do, top rated or not, you have wasted your money. [It is interesting to note that many 'impartial reviews' tend to rave about a product's good points and 'gloss over' deficiencies.]
So, you should be aware of what this scanner could NOT do for me:
.It does not scan transparencies (I had one 4 X 6)
.It has a VERY limited depth of focus: things not in intimate contact with the scan plate WILL be out of focus (a dozen or so photos mounted on stiff, warped backings could not be satisfactorily scanned, even with a phone book on the scanner cover)
.The scan plate is recessed making scans of oversized items impossible: the item is not in contact with the glass and thus out of focus (I had a couple of oversized photos and a few 8 X 10 photos permanently mounted on an oversized backing/frame that could not be scanned satisfactorily)
Also, the unit is a bit 'flimsy' (dropped my mechanical pencil on the cover and it left a 'door dingy') and the cover not heavy enough to flatten the folds even in standard paper to maintain full scan plate contact without assistance (phonebook).

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Canon Lide30 Flat Bed Scanner

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Canon CanoScan 8800F Color Film/Negative/Photo Scanner (2168B002) Review

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(More customer reviews)I also bought this to scan slides -- however, while the slides are the standard slide size in terms of the holder, the slide film itself is square instead of rectangular like most modern slides (mine are about 1.44" x 1.44"). For some reason, the default size of the cropping the 8800F uses when you select 35mm slides is not user-changeable. I wrote the company and got a standard answer back that basically said "we're not changing the software to make you happy". I think they misunderstood me, but whatever...
Fortunately, I found the answer quite by accident. It turns out that in order to make the scanner work for my situation (and maybe yours), I simply had to uncheck the "Switches On/Off the Thumbnails View Mode" button and that allowed me to manually create the right size crops. It also means I can use the 35mm strip holder instead of the 35mm slide holder and leave the old slides in their metal slide magazine holders, saving me even more time.
After figuring that out, I'm happy to say this scanner exceeds my expectations and makes me a happy camper now that I can no longer use my Konica Dimage Scan Dual IV with my Vista-based PC. The hardware is very sturdy and speed is great. 1200 DPI scans take less than a minute each.
If you want more information on how to manually set-up to scan older slides, leave me your email as a comment to this review.
Hope that helps.
Steve

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The Canon CanoScan 8800F Color Film/Negative/Photo Scanner features high-luminance white LED lamps, which means it can scan immediately without warming up. Its simple, streamlined design includes seven simple buttons you use to scan, copy, create emails and multi-page PDFs, and automatically scan with an incredible color resolution--up to 4800 by 9600 dpi. With the CanoScan's sophisticated retouching technology, you can improve old and precious photos by digitally removing dust and scratches from antique, faded, or otherwise aging prints. The CanoScan 8800F is able to simultaneously scan up to four slides or twelve 35-millimeter frames, using either positives or negatives. In addition, a USB 2.0 interface makes scanning and image transfers faster than ever.
The CanoScan 8800F includes a compact 10.7-by-18.9-by-4-inch design and weighs 9.2 pounds. This flatbed, color, and monochrome scanner is compatible with Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Mac OSX 10.2.8 through 10.4.x. It includes a CD-ROM with printer driver, setup software, and user's guide, Adobe Photoshop Elements, ArcSoft PhotoStudio, MP Navigator EX, NewSoft Presto! PageManager (Windows only), and ScanSoft OmniPage SE. In addition, the manufacturer offers a 1-year limited warranty.
What's in the Box CanoScan 8800F color scanner, AC adapter, Adobe Photoshop Elements CD-ROM, cross sell sheet, quick start guide, setup software and user's guide CD-ROM, warranty card, film guides (35-millimeter negative/positive, 35-millimeter negative/positive mounted slides, 120 roll film strip), power cord, and USB cable.

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