Need A New Scanner--- Which One?

My scanner is making a horrible grinding noise. It started at about the same time as I joined SCF so I haven't been able to post any pictures yet.

Any recommendations for features to look for in a new one?

Karen

My personal favourite and a "must" is any scanner with SEIKO software,
generally found in EPSON scanners.
The line of EPSON Perfection scanners are generally accepted
as rather good.

With an epson scanner you should also get OCR recognition bundled.

Good Luck.

Thanks, rod222!

What is the advantage of SEIKO software?

reliability, kehess,
the ability to prescan the platten
then draw carousels around each stamp on the platen prior to scanning
this gives you roughly the same dpi for each stamp scan

You can draw say carousels around 40 stamps
than have them scanned automatically whilst you
have a cup of tea and a sticky bun.

Be aware there is "bursting" software recently exposed on SCF
that will isolate stamps on a multiple stamp image
if you are happy with lower res stamps.
search SCF with text string "bursting"

Epson are not cheap, the last I purchased was around
$300 IIRC

Was $208 june 2008
so it has been used nearly every day fr 4 years without a breakdown!

Kehess, Is the 'noise' from your scanner preventing scans ?.

Why ?, I hear you ask. It's because some scanners (Canon) have a 'Quiet Mode' setting which may have been reset back to normal audible operation which can be, interpreted by inexperienced operators as a FAULT.

My adjustable QM setting comes on at 9.00pm till 6.00am. The difference is astounding.

I second Rod's recommendation for Epson.
They are the best I have used and the results speak for themselves.
Take a look at the Collecting by engraver or Engraved beauties thread.

One thing to check though is that the transport lock hasn't engaged if your scanner has one.
Take a look at the underside

Another tip that has fixed scanners before,

Reset to "factory settings" and start again?

I would by an 3 in one printer
That does Printing Scanning and faxing

I always use printing and scan capabilities all the time
If you do buy a new printer make sure the 4 colour inks are separate.

I own an Epson Wireless printer and am very happy with it.

Food for thought when choosing a scanner. CCD Vs. CIS technology, CCD is a Charged coupled device and CIS is a Contact image sensor. CCD Technology uses a Fluorescent lamp while CIS uses LED technology. While there is still a fair amount of debate on which one produces truer colors and scans. You can google the difference between the 2 Technologies and that should help you come to a conclusion.

Some CIS ones use very little power so only required a single USB connection for both power and data.
I have used a Canon Lide which was very portable and the results were OK for the price.

Thank you all so much for your advice!

Many of the suggestions were in the 'Help' software and I had already tried them. But I still appreciate the reminders!

The sound is more like the sound made by a coffee grinder than the high-pitched whine made while scanning.

My scanner is an 8 year old Canon and I suspect it just wore out. R.I.P.

I especially appreciate the info on what's new in scanners. I'll have to read up on CCD vs CIS.

I'm also scanning old photos to share with my family so the multiple images per scan software sounds heavenly.

Thanks again, everyone!!

Karen

I believe the Epson Perfection series are CCD

When I was about to purchase, my colleagues on the then stamp forum
advised me against CIS with the explanation that they
have a lower depth of field.


The Epson Perfection also does 35mm slides Karen,
but how successful, is unknown,
I have never tried it on my machine.

Perhaps the mods could make scanner review a sticky post.

As for myself, I happily use an Epson Perfection V33, which can currently be purchased on Amazon for $72. I have used Canon Lide scanners in the past as well as other solutions and I can tell you that the difference is negligible. In today's market likely 90% of the scanners will serve the same purpose.

While I'm not totally up-to-date on the CIS vs. CCD debate, I see that the vast majority of articles on the topic are 5-10 years old and I assume that most of the related issues have been addressed so far - although it is true that CCD provides better depth of field if you're interested in scanning coins, books, etc.

Perhaps what is more important than a scanner, is your display, and its ability to accurately represent your images.

Anyway, in answer to your original question - I suggest an Epson!

-P.Bear

Here is a nice Epson on sale now for $139.00 with free delivery.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...E16838110020 6400 X9600 DPI

OK...Looks like Epson has the most votes. And the price isn't too far out of line. Thanks for the info.

Karen

The fellows that design some web pages are hard to fathom,
for example in your example, I can see no price
That seems to me to be a bargain,
you would think the price would be screaming at you.

The prices in Australia vary from $328 to $596