Recomendation for scanner, please. (flatbed, non transparency)

Hi,

Looking for a flatbed to replace my quite old (11 years) Mustek 1200 III
which has served well and long but has been acting up (knocking noises,
spring twangs and occasional serious banding). (It also has a parallel
port interface which does not hook up to the iMac, so I have to boot the
PC to scan ... tedious).

-Letter size (legal okay).
-Feeder not required.
-Transparency not required.

Use: documents, letters, occasional photo prints, articles, etc.

I have an Iomega 1 TB external disk. Can I daisy chain out of it on
Firewire 800 to the scanner? (Does the external drive need to be on to
daisy chain?).

(Firewire 400 port is connected to the Nikon 9000 ED scanner and does
not daisy chain from the 9000 ED).

If I can't do the above, then I'll USB it. (May need a hub, getting
crowded).

Recommendations?

Thanks,
Alan

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"Alan Browne" <alan.browne@freelunchvideotron.ca> wrote in message
news:jjIVj.14$_H1.1302@wagner.videotron.net...
> Hi,
>
> Looking for a flatbed to replace my quite old (11 years) Mustek 1200 III
> which has served well and long but has been acting up (knocking noises,
> spring twangs and occasional serious banding). (It also has a parallel
> port interface which does not hook up to the iMac, so I have to boot the
> PC to scan ... tedious).
>
> -Letter size (legal okay).
> -Feeder not required.
> -Transparency not required.
>
> Use: documents, letters, occasional photo prints, articles, etc.
>
> I have an Iomega 1 TB external disk. Can I daisy chain out of it on
> Firewire 800 to the scanner? (Does the external drive need to be on to
> daisy chain?).
>
> (Firewire 400 port is connected to the Nikon 9000 ED scanner and does not
> daisy chain from the 9000 ED).
>
> If I can't do the above, then I'll USB it. (May need a hub, getting
> crowded).
>
> Recommendations?
>
> Thanks,
> Alan
>
> --
> -- r.p.e.35mm user resource: http://www.aliasimages.com/rpe35mmur.htm
> -- r.p.d.slr-systems: http://www.aliasimages.com/rpdslrsysur.htm
> -- [SI] gallery & rulz: http://www.pbase.com/shootin
> -- e-meil: Remove FreeLunch.

I would recommend a Canon Canoscan 8800F. It is USB only, and may not work
if plugged into a USB hub. It needs to be connected directly to a USB port
on the computer.
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/co...&modelid=15561

Canon makes scanners that do not have transparency ability, But they are CIS
based and have zero depth of field.
It is nice to have the ability to scan film.

If you want a comparison of a CCD and CIS sensor, check this link.
http://www.carlmcmillan.com/DOF/DepthofField.htm

--
CSM1
http://www.carlmcmillan.com
--

CSM1 wrote:
> "Alan Browne" <alan.browne@freelunchvideotron.ca> wrote in message
> news:jjIVj.14$_H1.1302@wagner.videotron.net...
>> Hi,
>>
>> Looking for a flatbed to replace my quite old (11 years) Mustek 1200 III

>
> I would recommend a Canon Canoscan 8800F. It is USB only, and may not work
> if plugged into a USB hub. It needs to be connected directly to a USB port
> on the computer.

That's okay, as long as other devices can be hubbed (like the printer).
I only have three USB ports on the iMac (what _were_ they thinking?)

And as I don't use the wretched Apple keyboard, I lose that port.

> http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/co...&modelid=15561
>
> Canon makes scanners that do not have transparency ability, But they are CIS
> based and have zero depth of field.
> It is nice to have the ability to scan film.

I have a dedicated film scanner that easily outclasses any flatbed.


> If you want a comparison of a CCD and CIS sensor, check this link.
> http://www.carlmcmillan.com/DOF/DepthofField.htm

I don't think, however, that the DOF issue for the flat docs that I scan
is that relevant.

Thanks,
Alan

--
-- r.p.e.35mm user resource: http://www.aliasimages.com/rpe35mmur.htm
-- r.p.d.slr-systems: http://www.aliasimages.com/rpdslrsysur.htm
-- [SI] gallery & rulz: http://www.pbase.com/shootin
-- e-meil: Remove FreeLunch.

You are going to think that I'm nuts, but I'd look for a used HP 5470C
or 5490C (same scanner with the ADF) on E-Bay for about $25 or so. As
good as, if not better than, most current products (this was HP's top of
the line $500 scanner, and PC Magazine Editor's choice, from about
2002). USB, 2400 dpi true optical resolution, and better software (HP
Precision Scan Pro) than later HP products which use the "HP Director"
junk software. I would not discount the value of the ADF (document
feeder) ... it's a huge time saver if you have to scan multi-page
documents. Just be sure that you get the right power supply with the
scanner (it's different with and without the ADF), and if you get the
ADF, be sure that the paper input tray is included. According to HP,
these scanners don't work with Vista, but I have successfully installed
one with Vista. I've seen these go for as little as $10 on E-Bay,
although shipping will be at least $15 to $30.


Alan Browne wrote:
> Hi,
>
> Looking for a flatbed to replace my quite old (11 years) Mustek 1200 III
> which has served well and long but has been acting up (knocking noises,
> spring twangs and occasional serious banding). (It also has a parallel
> port interface which does not hook up to the iMac, so I have to boot the
> PC to scan ... tedious).
>
> -Letter size (legal okay).
> -Feeder not required.
> -Transparency not required.
>
> Use: documents, letters, occasional photo prints, articles, etc.
>
> I have an Iomega 1 TB external disk. Can I daisy chain out of it on
> Firewire 800 to the scanner? (Does the external drive need to be on to
> daisy chain?).
>
> (Firewire 400 port is connected to the Nikon 9000 ED scanner and does
> not daisy chain from the 9000 ED).
>
> If I can't do the above, then I'll USB it. (May need a hub, getting
> crowded).
>
> Recommendations?
>
> Thanks,
> Alan
>

Per Alan Browne:
>I have an Iomega 1 TB external disk. Can I daisy chain out of it on
>Firewire 800 to the scanner? (Does the external drive need to be on to
>daisy chain?).
>
>(Firewire 400 port is connected to the Nikon 9000 ED scanner and does
>not daisy chain from the 9000 ED).
>
>If I can't do the above, then I'll USB it. (May need a hub, getting
>crowded).

This is probably moot for most, but I wanted a scanner that I
could cart to and from work when needed with the least hassle.

To that end, I got a CanoScan LIDE 500F. USB-connected.

It's two claims to fame for me:
-------------------------------------------------------
1) It's extremely slim: thinner than a lot of books.

2) It gets 100% of it's power from the USB2 connection.
No brick, no AC cord.... Just plug and play.
-------------------------------------------------------

I find the software that came with it tb 100% adequate for my
use... and it has a convenient feature where you press a button
on the scanner and it pushes a request to the PC to fire up the
Canon scanning app.

--
PeteCresswell

Barry Watzman wrote:
> You are going to think that I'm nuts, but I'd look for a used HP 5470C
> or 5490C (same scanner with the ADF) on E-Bay for about $25 or so. As
> good as, if not better than, most current products (this was HP's top of
> the line $500 scanner, and PC Magazine Editor's choice, from about
> 2002). USB, 2400 dpi true optical resolution, and better software (HP
> Precision Scan Pro) than later HP products which use the "HP Director"
> junk software. I would not discount the value of the ADF (document
> feeder) ... it's a huge time saver if you have to scan multi-page
> documents. Just be sure that you get the right power supply with the
> scanner (it's different with and without the ADF), and if you get the
> ADF, be sure that the paper input tray is included. According to HP,
> these scanners don't work with Vista, but I have successfully installed
> one with Vista. I've seen these go for as little as $10 on E-Bay,
> although shipping will be at least $15 to $30.

Thanks for the advice. Over time I've avoided HP products as hopelessly
over-bundled and saddled with poorly designed software.

A used HP could be a good alternative, I agree.

(PS: After you taking time to reply I hate to sound nasty, but please
don't top post).

Cheers,
Alan.


>
>
> Alan Browne wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>> Looking for a flatbed to replace my quite old (11 years) Mustek 1200
>> III which has served well and long but has been acting up (knocking
>> noises, spring twangs and occasional serious banding). (It also has a
>> parallel port interface which does not hook up to the iMac, so I have
>> to boot the PC to scan ... tedious).
>>
>> -Letter size (legal okay).
>> -Feeder not required.
>> -Transparency not required.
>>
>> Use: documents, letters, occasional photo prints, articles, etc.
>>
>> I have an Iomega 1 TB external disk. Can I daisy chain out of it on
>> Firewire 800 to the scanner? (Does the external drive need to be on
>> to daisy chain?).
>>
>> (Firewire 400 port is connected to the Nikon 9000 ED scanner and does
>> not daisy chain from the 9000 ED).
>>
>> If I can't do the above, then I'll USB it. (May need a hub, getting
>> crowded).
>>
>> Recommendations?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Alan
>>



--
-- r.p.e.35mm user resource: http://www.aliasimages.com/rpe35mmur.htm
-- r.p.d.slr-systems: http://www.aliasimages.com/rpdslrsysur.htm
-- [SI] gallery & rulz: http://www.pbase.com/shootin
-- e-meil: Remove FreeLunch.

(PeteCresswell) wrote:
> Per Alan Browne:
>> I have an Iomega 1 TB external disk. Can I daisy chain out of it on
>> Firewire 800 to the scanner? (Does the external drive need to be on to
>> daisy chain?).
>>
>> (Firewire 400 port is connected to the Nikon 9000 ED scanner and does
>> not daisy chain from the 9000 ED).
>>
>> If I can't do the above, then I'll USB it. (May need a hub, getting
>> crowded).
>
> This is probably moot for most, but I wanted a scanner that I
> could cart to and from work when needed with the least hassle.
>
> To that end, I got a CanoScan LIDE 500F. USB-connected.
>
> It's two claims to fame for me:
> -------------------------------------------------------
> 1) It's extremely slim: thinner than a lot of books.
>
> 2) It gets 100% of it's power from the USB2 connection.
> No brick, no AC cord.... Just plug and play.
> -------------------------------------------------------
>
> I find the software that came with it tb 100% adequate for my
> use... and it has a convenient feature where you press a button
> on the scanner and it pushes a request to the PC to fire up the
> Canon scanning app.
>

Thanks Pete, I have been looking at that (or similar) LIDE models. Not
for those reasons, just adequacy and price.

Cheers,
Alan.


--
-- r.p.e.35mm user resource: http://www.aliasimages.com/rpe35mmur.htm
-- r.p.d.slr-systems: http://www.aliasimages.com/rpdslrsysur.htm
-- [SI] gallery & rulz: http://www.pbase.com/shootin
-- e-meil: Remove FreeLunch.

In message <mhoWj.3814$_H1.4297@wagner.videotron.net> Alan Browne
<alan.browne@freelunchvideotron.ca> wrote:

>Thanks for the advice. Over time I've avoided HP products as hopelessly
>over-bundled and saddled with poorly designed software.

Amen! Although at least on the printer side, if you wait 9-15 months
after release until HP gets around to getting drivers into Microsoft's
distribution channels, those drivers tend to be less craptrastic.

(Microsoft's distribution channels = Preinstalled with the OS, Microsoft
Update, etc)

I've not tried a multifunction or scanner from HP in some time due to my
unwillingness to touch the crap that goes with their drivers.

DevilsPGD wrote:
> In message <mhoWj.3814$_H1.4297@wagner.videotron.net> Alan Browne
> <alan.browne@freelunchvideotron.ca> wrote:
>
>> Thanks for the advice. Over time I've avoided HP products as hopelessly
>> over-bundled and saddled with poorly designed software.
>
> Amen! Although at least on the printer side, if you wait 9-15 months
> after release until HP gets around to getting drivers into Microsoft's
> distribution channels, those drivers tend to be less craptrastic.
>
> (Microsoft's distribution channels = Preinstalled with the OS, Microsoft
> Update, etc)
>
> I've not tried a multifunction or scanner from HP in some time due to my
> unwillingness to touch the crap that goes with their drivers.

I bought an HP with doc feeder and legal size capability for my office a
couple years ago. Absolutely wonderful scanner that didn't work as
advertised because of poor software design and integration. Took the IT
guy a week to sort it out while interrupting my work every 2 hours...

The last HP product I bought for the home that mostly worked as
advertised was a CD burner... many years ago. Even then it came with
more "value added" crap than you could shake a stick at.

Cheers,
Alan.

--
-- r.p.e.35mm user resource: http://www.aliasimages.com/rpe35mmur.htm
-- r.p.d.slr-systems: http://www.aliasimages.com/rpdslrsysur.htm
-- [SI] gallery & rulz: http://www.pbase.com/shootin
-- e-meil: Remove FreeLunch.

Re: "Over time I've avoided HP products as hopelessly over-bundled and
saddled with poorly designed software."

The device that I recommended is now about 6 years old. It was made
back when HP was still offering quality in both hardware and software.
As to later and current products, I agree with you. Because I feared
that the 5490 scanner would not work with Vista (HP says it doesn't ...
buy a newer model. But in fact it does), I bought the later model, a
5490. The scanner is fine, but the software is pure, unadulterated junk.


Alan Browne wrote:
> Barry Watzman wrote:
>> You are going to think that I'm nuts, but I'd look for a used HP 5470C
>> or 5490C (same scanner with the ADF) on E-Bay for about $25 or so. As
>> good as, if not better than, most current products (this was HP's top
>> of the line $500 scanner, and PC Magazine Editor's choice, from about
>> 2002). USB, 2400 dpi true optical resolution, and better software (HP
>> Precision Scan Pro) than later HP products which use the "HP Director"
>> junk software. I would not discount the value of the ADF (document
>> feeder) ... it's a huge time saver if you have to scan multi-page
>> documents. Just be sure that you get the right power supply with the
>> scanner (it's different with and without the ADF), and if you get the
>> ADF, be sure that the paper input tray is included. According to HP,
>> these scanners don't work with Vista, but I have successfully
>> installed one with Vista. I've seen these go for as little as $10 on
>> E-Bay, although shipping will be at least $15 to $30.
>
> Thanks for the advice. Over time I've avoided HP products as hopelessly
> over-bundled and saddled with poorly designed software.
>
> A used HP could be a good alternative, I agree.
>
> (PS: After you taking time to reply I hate to sound nasty, but please
> don't top post).
>
> Cheers,
> Alan.
>
>
>>
>>
>> Alan Browne wrote:
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> Looking for a flatbed to replace my quite old (11 years) Mustek 1200
>>> III which has served well and long but has been acting up (knocking
>>> noises, spring twangs and occasional serious banding). (It also has
>>> a parallel port interface which does not hook up to the iMac, so I
>>> have to boot the PC to scan ... tedious).
>>>
>>> -Letter size (legal okay).
>>> -Feeder not required.
>>> -Transparency not required.
>>>
>>> Use: documents, letters, occasional photo prints, articles, etc.
>>>
>>> I have an Iomega 1 TB external disk. Can I daisy chain out of it on
>>> Firewire 800 to the scanner? (Does the external drive need to be on
>>> to daisy chain?).
>>>
>>> (Firewire 400 port is connected to the Nikon 9000 ED scanner and does
>>> not daisy chain from the 9000 ED).
>>>
>>> If I can't do the above, then I'll USB it. (May need a hub, getting
>>> crowded).
>>>
>>> Recommendations?
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>> Alan
>>>
>
>
>