F
fisherman
Scanner Recommendations, for a new replacement, please.
I currently have a Umax Astra 3450 scanner. It has performed OK
although the vertical calibration has always been off by a fraction of
an inch, and now I see the sides varying on very small scans. For the
benefit of any that this tip might help, it did teach me one thing,
although it took me a few reinstalls and hours to figure it out. When
I got a totally blank scan, despite everything apparently moving as
normal, just unplug the scanner for ten seconds or so. Voila, my image
appeared on the next scan. I did not even have to reboot my computer.
It seems that it may be on its last legs, so I may soon be looking for
a new scanner.
I would appreciate recommendations as to a suitable new scanner.
Since circumstances may vary when I buy a new one, and there may be
others with similar questions, it would be helpful, if you have more
than one recommendation, to supply an answer for a budget
(inexpensive) model, best buy, and best scanner within reason and
perhaps one out of reason, just for curiosity. I would prefer one
that connects to my computer using a USB2 port. Are there some to
especially avoid?
Further, whether there are any combination printer/fax/scanners, that
are worthy of consideration? One advantage some of these seem to have
is that they include a feeder, even on ones that have a flatbed
scanner. I generally use my HP LaserJet 4 for printing and my Lumina
fax (no longer made) also prints through it. The Lumina is great for
receiving faxes although the feeder is marginal for sending faxes.
Luckily, it scans several pages before sending, so one can repeat the
scan before it goes out, if it misfeeds, despite hand assistance. I
do not have a color printer at the moment, but need to replace that
eventually (yes, feel free to put in your two or three cents on that
issue too! ;-)
I currently scan mostly black & white documents and books, and would
prefer a faster scanner, as it serves as my small office copier. I
also scan about anything else, from objects to photographs., so would
like at least adequate performance in the area of scanning
photographs. Objects are not particularly important as I now have a
more adequate digital camera, but still scan sometimes out of habit
and for convenience. I have scanned a handful of slides, but
performance was not particularly good, although at least I got an
image.
It may be that the recommendations are to consider buying more than
one item, although space and money are limited. For instance, a
combination scanner/document feeder equipped printer for scanning
black and white documents, and doing some color printing. Then use my
current Umax more sparingly, finally replacing it with ? , when I am
able. If there will be some models available soon that should be
considered, I can wait, at least for the moment.
I use Windows XP as my operating system and generally use my scanner
in conjunction with PaperPort Pro 9 Office. I definitely want a
scanner that can take advantage of the speed of USB2 (as opposed to 1)
and installs easily under Windows XP. Scans under the Windows XP
native driver, when I replaced my computer with a new model, were not
particularly pleasing. I finally took the time to get the Umax driver
to work (from instructions found on their website), and was happy to
be back to "normal," but I do not want to have to repeat those
installation headaches.
I appreciate any that took the time to read this, but many replies to
short questions, generally ask for more background to the question.
Thank you for any suggestions!!!
I currently have a Umax Astra 3450 scanner. It has performed OK
although the vertical calibration has always been off by a fraction of
an inch, and now I see the sides varying on very small scans. For the
benefit of any that this tip might help, it did teach me one thing,
although it took me a few reinstalls and hours to figure it out. When
I got a totally blank scan, despite everything apparently moving as
normal, just unplug the scanner for ten seconds or so. Voila, my image
appeared on the next scan. I did not even have to reboot my computer.
It seems that it may be on its last legs, so I may soon be looking for
a new scanner.
I would appreciate recommendations as to a suitable new scanner.
Since circumstances may vary when I buy a new one, and there may be
others with similar questions, it would be helpful, if you have more
than one recommendation, to supply an answer for a budget
(inexpensive) model, best buy, and best scanner within reason and
perhaps one out of reason, just for curiosity. I would prefer one
that connects to my computer using a USB2 port. Are there some to
especially avoid?
Further, whether there are any combination printer/fax/scanners, that
are worthy of consideration? One advantage some of these seem to have
is that they include a feeder, even on ones that have a flatbed
scanner. I generally use my HP LaserJet 4 for printing and my Lumina
fax (no longer made) also prints through it. The Lumina is great for
receiving faxes although the feeder is marginal for sending faxes.
Luckily, it scans several pages before sending, so one can repeat the
scan before it goes out, if it misfeeds, despite hand assistance. I
do not have a color printer at the moment, but need to replace that
eventually (yes, feel free to put in your two or three cents on that
issue too! ;-)
I currently scan mostly black & white documents and books, and would
prefer a faster scanner, as it serves as my small office copier. I
also scan about anything else, from objects to photographs., so would
like at least adequate performance in the area of scanning
photographs. Objects are not particularly important as I now have a
more adequate digital camera, but still scan sometimes out of habit
and for convenience. I have scanned a handful of slides, but
performance was not particularly good, although at least I got an
image.
It may be that the recommendations are to consider buying more than
one item, although space and money are limited. For instance, a
combination scanner/document feeder equipped printer for scanning
black and white documents, and doing some color printing. Then use my
current Umax more sparingly, finally replacing it with ? , when I am
able. If there will be some models available soon that should be
considered, I can wait, at least for the moment.
I use Windows XP as my operating system and generally use my scanner
in conjunction with PaperPort Pro 9 Office. I definitely want a
scanner that can take advantage of the speed of USB2 (as opposed to 1)
and installs easily under Windows XP. Scans under the Windows XP
native driver, when I replaced my computer with a new model, were not
particularly pleasing. I finally took the time to get the Umax driver
to work (from instructions found on their website), and was happy to
be back to "normal," but I do not want to have to repeat those
installation headaches.
I appreciate any that took the time to read this, but many replies to
short questions, generally ask for more background to the question.
Thank you for any suggestions!!!
