Opinions on scanner please

[golfmore]

I need to replace an HP All In One to just a scanner, preferably a Canon. ANyone here us Canon? I am confused what an additional $50 to $100 gets me. What are the basics that I should be looking for? The HP I have is just too temperamental when scanning. I do use Photoshop to scan through. That seems to be OK. Just not a fan of All In One's I guess. Thanks for any help. Would like to stay under $200, but.............

[golfmore]

Actually an Epson or HP would be OK.

[golfmore]

I don't need film strip adapters. All I will be doing is docs and photos.

[jcampi]

I have used Epson, HP and Visioneer. I would not buy an HP scanner. I hate the software and interface they use. Epson it just ok. I really like Visioneer scanners. They perform fine and even scan quicker than HP and Epson in my experience. Plus, they are about half the cost of HP. The software Visioneer provides, Paperport, is also very, very good.

[golfmore]

I agree about the HP. I have an all in one. Software bloat is terrible. And it's pretty temperamental Thanks for the help. .

[photolady]

I have an Epson (model Perfection 2580) that scans slides and negatives and paper/photos. This negative scanner on mine is separate from the flat bed. It has a flip out door on top of the scanner, useage is dedicated instead of your normal adapter. My model is no longer available but there are better/newer ones that perform the same functions. I really like mine. Visioneer, I've heard, do not work well....so all my photography friends tell me. ;) :D

Oh and the software. Nice!! but you don't have to use the software to scan with, you can scan directly into photoshop, which I use also.

Here's a nice one, with same outside negative scanner, like mine:

http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/consumer/consDetail.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&oid=63059196

[golfmore]

PhotoLady, thanks for that. All the reviews I have read say to stay away from Visioneer. I will look into the one you suggested. How does XP 'See' the scanner with no software? I assume there has to be drivers installed, true? Thanks again.

[mylanta]

If anyone gave me an Epson printer I would throw the whole box away any more, but my experience with their scanners, have been excellent and I think they are the best. I also like the software the best as well. I am currently using a Scanjet and while I love the scanner, it has multiple feed which I need, the software is awful.

[photolady]

You're welcome golfmore.

The more expensive printers from Epson are good. It's those cheaply made and cheaply sold versions that I won't be buying again. My 1270 is still working after 6 years, ink is much more expensive but then so was this printer ($499).

[mommalina]

You're welcome golfmore.

The more expensive printers from Epson are good. It's those cheaply made and cheaply sold versions that I won't be buying again. My 1270 is stillworking after 6 years, ink is much more expensive but then so was this printer ($499).

So far my Epson 740 printer is serving me well. It cost $238.63
in March 1999. Generic cartridges work fine, and hopefully they
will continue to be available for that model. I don't do a lot of
printing, but what I do print reproduces nicely, especially the
color.

Photolady, I suspect everything is being more cheaply made today.
It's truly getting to be a throw-away society. Paying more for almost
anything no longer guarantees better quality, reliability, performance,
or durability.

I returned a brand-new vacuum cleaner because my 27-year old
Hoover performs better, even without the onboard tools that
newer models come with today. And my 41-year old Singer
sewing machine is still going strong (it came with a five-year
warranty--parts and labor and home visit!). Yes, it is an electric
one and with all the gadgets for embroidery and fancy stitching.

Lina

[jcampi]

It also depends on what you plan to use the scanner for and how often you will use it. You can get a great Visioneer scanner for about $100. The paperport software included with the scanner is worth almost the same $100 if you purchased it alone. What reviews are you reading that give poor ratings to Visioneer? I had used three Visioneer scanners over the years and not had a single issue with any. On the other hand - The $350 HP scanner at work is nothing but a headache.

[Sam Ceccola]

I have an Epson (model Perfection 3500) that scans slides and negatives and paper/photos. Great quality. I bought it about 8 months ago and have no problem. If I recall correctly, it cost about $100.00

Sam

[photolady]

I've had customers with nightmares using Paperport software, that's one reason I don't recommend Visioneer scanners. I've had nightmare fixes on drivers for Visioneer scanners that won't install on certain operating systems, another reason to stay away from them.


Lina you are right expensive doesn't alway negate better quality, maybe it's age that does. As I said my 6 year old 1270 is still printing. I think the manufacturer used better quality parts back then. Now their parts are plastic, for any product you buy now days, and we know plastic is not as strong as metal. ;)

[mylanta]

I've had customers with nightmares using Paperport software, that's one reason I don't recommend Visioneer scanners. I've had nightmare fixes on drivers for Visioneer scanners that won't install on certain operating systems, another reason to stay away from them.


Lina you are right expensive doesn't alway negate better quality, maybe it's age that does. As I said my 6 year old 1270 is still printing. I think the manufacturer used better quality parts back then. Now their parts are plastic, for any product you buy now days, and we know plastic is not as strong as metal. ;)

Amen to Paperport problems, I have had enough for a lifetime and they are the absolute nastiest customer service people on earth. I had to go to the Attorney General of Massachusetts, Scansoft's home state, to force them to allow 3 more activations for their Paperport 10, so I could sell it and never have anything else to do with them again. I had Paperport 5,6,7,8,9 and 10 and each one was the buggiest worst software I have ever owned, with unique problems that huge service packs made worse.

[jcampi]

It must be me. I've used Paperport Pro Version 9 for ages and never had an issue. I have to agree with RBL on this one - Paperport is about the best scanning software I've ever used. The native software included with HP scanner is just plan junk. If you don't like paperport you can always scan from Adobe or from Windows itself using the imaging software.

[mylanta]

John,
Let's remember something. Paperport isn't actually scanning software, it is a desktop companion to it as it needs scanning software to work with. And it is pretty easy to say it's the best you ever used, as it is also the only program of it's kind left as the other pagis and the like have all died. Once I realized the whole function was unnecessary, I got off my dependance on it though I do now use Adobe Acrobat which does almost all the same things, but without screwing up with software and driver conflicts as Paperport does.

[golfmore]

Thanks for all that info. I will digest this and go from there. Stille thinking of a Canon. Maybe wrong, but.............

[golfmore]

Well, now I'm thinking of a Canon MP Pixma 830. Yes, it is a MFP with fax. I have read several reviews on it. All seem to be favorable. That will allow me to get rid of two other printers and a fax machine. The stupid drums for the fax machine a about $20 less than a new fax machine.

Is it true that I can remove all the HP software that goes to the 2355v All In One, and let XP get the drivers for it?

[photolady]

Depends on whether XP has those drivers. And Windows drivers are never better than the ones from the manufacturer.
I am not a big fan of All in ones. Reasons are if something quits, then the whole thing has to serviced, if you already have a printer and a fax separately, I'd just buy an Epson Scanner that we already told you was better. :D

[mylanta]

You know I agree with PL except that I had one of those Canons and it worked great...in fact when I closed my office, I gave it to my office manager and she is still running it.
One thing you also should realize, is that Windows drivers really are the manufacturers drivers though in some cases they are not as complete since they are just the driver, and the manufacturer probably has a more involved suite for each piece of hardware.

[photolady]

Does that Canon scan slides and negatives as well? I thought those all in ones only scanned paper or photos?

What I meant to add about Windows drivers as well as what Rich said, is that most times Windows drivers are outdated too.

[golfmore]

It doesn't do slides or negatives. Just paper. It has a duplex fax and ADF. I don't do film anymore, so I don't have any slides, etc.

[photolady]

When you mentioned Photoshop is when, I guess I thought, you meant you needed a scanner with negative capability. How many inks are in that printer? If less than 6, you're printed photos are not going to look that good. Standard photo printers have more than 4 inks. That includes the black cartridge so essentially, there are only 3 inks for color. Epson's make All-in-Ones also. I'm not sure about the photo quality of them though or how many ink cartridges they use.

[golfmore]

There are 5. Here's a link to a review.
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/canon_mp830_pg2.html

I had an Epson All In One a few years ago, but it wasn't all that good a printer.
After reading that review, I am leaning towards that Canon. I have too many printers now, and none are that good. I need a laser for RE contracts, and a good color one. I do need a scanner, and the review of the 830 kinda got hold of me. But I'm still open to suggestions.

Actually, I can use my HP 1200 for the contracts, but I will need a reasonably good color printer and scanner. I have a Pixma 1700, fair, but free. I can sell it for $30. My Brother fax machine s OK when there is one or two pages to fax. When I have to do a 15 -20 page contract, it is terrible. One of the reasons I am considering the 830, is speed. I do approx 400 - 600 color postcards a month. Pics of homes that I have sold etc.
Thanks for all the help. It is appreciated.

[jflan]

I am partial to Canon printers.
I have a iP1500 which is the best cheapo printer I have used.
Our other Canon is a iP5000 which is superb.
Found it on eBay new-in-box for $118US

Last time I looked that MP830 was getting great reviews.

I recently got invited to the "back room" of my local ink shop.
The proprietor's personal machines were Canons.
BTW, I will not run generic ink in my 5000, but the cheap generic ink does keep our old Epson 600 and HP7360 still viable.

[golfmore]

Where do you get 'other than generic' ink? Or do you run OEM ink?

[mylanta]

If you have a bunch of lousy printers and use refills or generic ink, that is your problem. I have yet to see quality out of either one that I would dare send to a client and never use anything but original ink. I might add I was a pro photographer for many years and use a Canon IP6220D photo printer and it's the best!

[golfmore]

Thanks for the help. I always buy OEM cartridges for my printers. The HP 2355v just doesn't cut it. It's fair, but not what I'm looking for. I too was in the photographic field for many years. I was the QM for Honeywell on the Asahi and Rollei lines. (Import).

[golfmore]

I ordered the Canon PIXMA MP830 today, from Costco. Superb return policy.

[mylanta]

You won't regret that! Let us know how you like it....

[golfmore]

I certainly will. Thanks for all the help.

[golfmore]

Well the MP830 goes back tomorrow. All the print functions, scan functions are great. The fax part is a nightmare. I was trying to simplify my setup. It is a huge machine. I'll just go back to looking for a scanner, and a better than HP Canon printer. Will still use my old HP 1200 for contracts.

[golfmore]

I'm going with Photolady's suggestion and do the Epson scanner. Found it fopr $127 at CC. Thanks for all the help.

[golfmore]

Got the Epson. Now I have to figure out how to use it as a copier ( a wife thing). I can, but she may not want the extra steps. Thanks.

[golfmore]

I am liking this one. Makes my life easy.