Picking a scanner

[Pat]

I am hoping to get a scanner for photos and converting documents to text
(eg. Omnipage). There are many sales but I am trying to figure out we
basics.

Light Source: CCD vs LED
Grayscale: 256 vs 16 bit

For the range of $100-$150, MSRP, what is currently the ones to check out in
the following brands:

(a) Canon
(b) Epson
(c) HP

Thanks,

Pat


Canon CanoScan LIDE 80: MSRP $149

(1) Scanner Element: Contact Image Sensor
(2) Light Source: Three-color RGB Leds
(3) Grayscale 16-bit Internal/16-bit External

Canon CanoScan 3200F: MSRP: $100

(1) Scanner Element: CCD


(2) Light Source: Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp
(3) Grayscale: 16-bit Internal/8-bit External


Epson Perfection 2400: MSRP $150

(1) Scanner Element: CCD
(2) Grayscale: 256


Epson Perfection 3170: MDRP $200

(1) Scanner Element: CCD
(2) Grayscale: 16 bit Internal/16-bit External

 

[Charlie]

For scanning photographs (not negatives or slides) and converting
printed documents to text (OCR) many scanners will do a very good job.
If you want a basic lightweight scanner, choose a USB powered one like
the Canon for under $100. You need 600 ppi scanning resolution
(although you'll probably use 300 ppi most of the time). I personally
use an old Microtek 600 ppi scanner, and it still works fine. I don't
like HP scanners, but many people like them fine. And spend another
$100 on a copy of Omnipage Pro/ Most scanners come with a limited
version of OCR software, but you can upgrade those versions to
Omnipage Pro through Wayne's web site at www.scantips.com.

You might also spend some time reading Wayne's tips.... you'll find
that you will do a much better job with your scanning, and he will
answer most of the questions you have.

I am hoping to get a scanner for photos and converting documents to text
(eg. Omnipage). There are many sales but I am trying to figure out we
basics.

Light Source: CCD vs LED
Grayscale: 256 vs 16 bit

For the range of $100-$150, MSRP, what is currently the ones to check out in
the following brands:

(a) Canon
(b) Epson
(c) HP

Thanks,

Pat


Canon CanoScan LIDE 80: MSRP $149

(1) Scanner Element: Contact Image Sensor
(2) Light Source: Three-color RGB Leds
(3) Grayscale 16-bit Internal/16-bit External

Canon CanoScan 3200F: MSRP: $100

(1) Scanner Element: CCD


(2) Light Source: Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp
(3) Grayscale: 16-bit Internal/8-bit External


Epson Perfection 2400: MSRP $150

(1) Scanner Element: CCD
(2) Grayscale: 256


Epson Perfection 3170: MDRP $200

(1) Scanner Element: CCD
(2) Grayscale: 16 bit Internal/16-bit External

Charlie Hoffpauir
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~charlieh/