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View Full Version : What scanner should I buy? (less than $400)



bubbagump
12-29-2000, 02:34 PM
I am looking to buy a scanner but am really starting to get confused about a lot of features and stuff. Please help me find a good choice. I am looking for a scanner with at least 1200 x 2400 dpi and 42 or 36 bit color. I hear that 42 looks no different than 36. Is this true? Also, I think I would like it to be SCSI or FIREWIRE. I already have a scsi card, would be open to buying a firewire card as I am getting into video work. Does a faster interface really make it a better scanner? What I have been looking at presently are:

HP SCANJET 5370CXI FB 1200DPI 42BIT USB (Problem is that it is usb,which I am not sure I like.)

UMAX ASTRA 4000U FLATBED 1200X2400 DPI 36BIT USB (Again, a USB model)

Microtek SCANMAKER X12USL FB 1200X2400 42BIT LEGAL USB SCSI ULTRA (This is the scanner I seem to like the best now due to scsi)

I am open to any model or any manufacturer. I am just looking to see what is the best model in my price range or less (which many of the scanners I listed are). The other thing that bothered me was that I am not sure if I can get a transparancy adapter for any of these scanners. This would be a big plus at any price. Also, if you guys could hook me up with a sweet deal, please help me out. (I was thinking of pming staples to buy.com and then using a coupon.)

Thanks for the help,

Bubba

sbp
12-30-2000, 05:14 AM
A faster interface cuts down on the amount of time for scanning.

I've heard great things about Epson scanners.

http://www.computingreview.com/products/showcategory.asp?siteID=10&CategoryID=251
http://computers.cnet.com/hardware/0-1073.html?tag=st.co.1016.dir.1073
http://computers.cnet.com/hardware/search/results/0,10121,0-1074-402-0,00.html?tag=stbc
http://www.zdnet.com/pcmag/filters/guide/0,10172,6001714,00.html
http://www.zdnet.com/pcmag/stories/reviews/0,6755,2617930,00.html
http://www.maximumpc.com/reviews/index.html

[Edited by sbp on 12-30-2000 at 05:36 AM]

broman78
12-31-2000, 07:44 PM
try this one for 20

bucks.http://www.insight.com/web/apps/products/productpresentation.php?product_id=umx316635