All-in-One units with slide scanning

[GuessWho]

I'm looking to replace my scanner because the quality of the scans have been
very bad lately.

I know the AIO units usually don't do everything well, but I don't need
anything professional; just something that gives acceptable reproductions.
As an example, my HP 720C printer gives text quality that is more than
acceptable ( although slow ) and it even produces adequate temporary photo
prints. For quality photo prints, I usually go to one of the print services.
I use the scanner mostly as a copier but I do scan 35mm slides once in
awhile.

I know Canon sells at least one model. Is anyone aware of a product from a
different vendor? How do these units perform?

TIA,

Wayne

 

[zakezuke]

I know Canon sells at least one model. Is anyone aware of a product from a

different vendor? How do these units perform?

Other than the Canon Pixma MP 760 there is the the Epson Stylus Photo
RX500, RX600, and RX620. Fortunately I kept hardcopy on the Epson
model that isn't listed on the Office Depot website. Tom's hardware
has a soso review of the RX620 vs other multi functions but compares it
to the Canon Mp 780 which has no 35mm support. You can compare the
Canon 760/780 to the Pixma ip4000, and the Epson RX600/620 to the R300
for print quality and features. Neither the Canon mp760 nor Epson
RX620 support fax. The Epsons don't support duplex printing.

I've only printed off 20 or so pages from the MP 760, and so far I only
have one complaint. No xD slot on the front.

The HP 720 took the 45A black which had a very high yield, 833 pages.
It was one of my favorates. Expect 1/2 that from either Epson or Canon
so either way you're opening up the cover twice as often. Expect
higher cost per page from Epson's OEM inks. Expect the Canon to be
lower than the either your old HP or the Epson. Also the 720 had a
nice fast draft mode that was high contrast. Expect the Canon to a tad
lower but acceptable and the Epson to lightish gray. The Canon has a
detachable head that can be cleaned or replaced. The Epson does not
and would require service. The Canon ink tanks can be refilled in a
pinch and uses an optical sensor to detect ink levels, and there are
easier to refill 3rd party tanks. They are also transparent so you the
user can see the ink level. The Epson due to design can not be
refilled easily. They chips to keep an estimate of consumption, but
there are 3rd party solutions to resolve this issue.



-General reviews of AIO printers-
http://www.tomshardware.com/consumer/200504082/multifunction_printers-01.html
-Review Canon mp 760-
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2005_reviews/canon_mp760.html
-Review Epson RX620-
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1781523,00.asp

 

[GuessWho]

Thanx for the discussion, zakezuke.

I actually added a Canon MP 760 to my Amazon wishlist when it was being
offered for around $187 but by the time I decided to order it had gone back
to regular Amazon price of around $280.

I never even looked at the 760 onboard slots although one of my cameras uses
xD cards.I was debating whether I wanted a machine with an internal
printhead or a machine with the printhead in the cartridge. I had a very bad
experience with an Epson printer.

The older model HP printers are real 'work horses'. Although I don't do a
lot of printing with it, I've never had any problems with it. Most of our
printing is done from my wife's HP 6122.

I don't bother refilling my cartridges but I do buy remanufactured black
cartridges ( both printers use the 45 black cartridge ). I've had mixed
results using remanufactured color cartridges; so I usually get HP color
cartridges.

Wayne

 

[zakezuke]

I actually added a Canon MP 760 to my Amazon wishlist when it was being

offered for around $187 but by the time I decided to order it had gone back
to regular Amazon price of around $280.

Newegg.com I believe was $240 shipped that's a fair price. I ordered
it the day after Amazon raised their price.

I was debating whether I wanted a machine with an internal printhead
or a machine with the printhead in the cartridge

I waited to order the mp760 and Amazon's price went up. Newegg.com is
$240 shipped and they also carry the xD adapter. Don't know if I can
leave it in the printer and close the door.

The way I see it is even if I have to replace the Canon head after 10
or 20 carts, I still save money. Lots of options for 3rd party
refilled tanks to save even more money. The HP approach is more
trouble free and worth considering. In all fairness the Canon does
have a diaper that does have to be cleaned at some point. HP does too
but it spews less ink and I have never seen it become an issue. I
don't know anyone who needed to replace a canon head or diaper. Epsons
waste more ink. If you must go Epson, see if the printer offers a trap
door in the rear so you can route the waste tube to a jug. This way
you can use the SSC utility to reset the ink waste counter and be
somewhat positive that the diaper isn't filling up, unless the tube to
the waste pad comes loose and dumps ink in the wrong spot. The mP760's
service menu with useful tests and waste reset can be accessed by
pressing Menu, Scan, Copy, Scan.

The lack of xD is annoying, but the adapter can be mail ordered. I've
seen it from time to time localy for $20, but I can't remember where.
I don't know if you can just leave the adapter in the slot close the
door.

 

[GuessWho]

zakezuke,

I picked up a Digital Concepts (Dazzle?) xD reader at Officemax several
months ago that was free after rebate. No problem with it and it's
convenient because the reader itself detaches from the cable without the
need to get to the back of my machine.

Wayne

 

[zakezuke]

I picked up a Digital Concepts (Dazzle?) xD reader at Officemax several

months ago that was free after rebate. No problem with it and it's
convenient because the reader itself detaches from the cable without the
need to get to the back of my machine.

I think I paid $20 for my Sandisk xD reader. That's not the issue.
One feature I enjoyed on my HP 950 before getting a camera with xD
memory was proof sheets. One *could* take the time to pop in the card,
generate thumb nails, and print them off, or pop in the card and press
the button. Direct printing from the card is also a nice feature as
well.

I wasn't so big a fan of the memory card support on the HP950. It was
pretty much limited to copy disc to pc without random access. As I
dont' have the adapter yet I have yet to test these fuctions on the
Canon.