Favorite scanner

[Jvolm]

I'm looking for a flatbed scanner; good resolution, fast, and capable of scanning transparencies.

I haven't bought one in a while, I know Microtek used to be a really good brand, but then again, I used to swear by Western Digital hard drives....

So, what's the best flatbed scanner out there?

EDIT: I should've put this in before, but image quality is more important than speed in this case. The stuff that will be scanned is single sheet, thick transparencies or opaques (films and x-ray films).

 

[jamarno]

Consumer Reports has a review in their May issue, and among 600 dpi scanners, all rated well except for the Umax 3400, Visioneer 8100, Musek BearPaw 1200, and HP 3400, all downgraded for scan quality. The Visoneer and Epson 640U were rated the fastest (same for the Epson 1240U, also the top 1200 dpi).

If you don't need the highest quality scans, look for the fastest scanner. And if you're going to scan non-flat images (i.e., thick books), get a CCD instead of CIS scanner.

 

[Cosmo3]

I like and most reviewers like the Epson scanners. I have a Epson USB scanner and I really like it. It is quick and does a good job.

 

[wlj]

I've got an Epson Perfection 1640SU and love it! It's fast, the automatic document feeder option kicks major butt, and the transparency adapter is nice, too, for the occasional negative scans.

In no uncertain terms, the Epson blows away the previous Microtek scanners that I've used and/or owned.

 

[Supradude]

got a Acer 640U USB, love it, very fast and scans great