Scanners.

[Techie]

What are some of the good scanners (flatbed) around $130USD/$180CAD???? I have been looking an Agfa SnapScan Touch. Any other recommendations???

Thanks.

 

[Floyd]

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=40&threadid=177981

Canon FB1200S, 1200dpi SCSI w/Adaptec card, act quickly if you want one, there are only a handful left showing in stock.

Best regards,
Floyd

 

[Prodigy^]

a SCSI scanner? get real.

I'd recommend the Agfa Snapscan touch too, I've never had any problems with it. it's also great to have USB - I don't use it very often so i've got it standing on top of a shelf, and when i wanna use it I just plug it in and don't have to reboot

 

[Techie]

Hey Prodigy, how does Agfa's SnapScan Touch compare with HP's 4200???? Which one is better and faster too?????

 

[Floyd]

The gentleman asked for a good scanner, not a cheapie USB or parallel model of questionable quality. USB is a decent compromise, I had one before my SCSI model, but the noticeable increase in speed and complete lack of system lag while scanning really makes SCSI worth it. The primary benefit of USB, hot-pluggable, doesn't apply to scanners unless you like toting around a bulky scanner and AC adapter. No doubt there are examples of USB models that produce fine quality images, but the overwhelming majority are mediocre performers which target the home user who will neither know nor care about the difference.

Best regards,
Floyd

 

[Techie]

Alright then, which one (Agfa & HP) has better tech support service???

Thanks again.

 

[Prodigy^]

first of all, SCSI is so much more expensive that it doesn't pay off with a scanner. I mean, who uses a scanner day in and day out? very few people. and what's so "cheap" about it? system lag? I don't feel anything on my p3 750 with 320 mb ram.

"The primary benefit of USB, hot-pluggable, doesn't apply to scanners unless you like toting around a bulky scanner and AC adapter"

uhm not sure what you mean, but my USB scanner IS hot-swappable, so.....and what do you mean with "unless you're...blabla"? I don't have room for my scanner on my desk or close to my computer so it's very nice that I can shove it away when I don't use it!

tech support? hmmm i dunno, but I recieved some nice support from Agfa. I haven't had a HP scanner

 

[Floyd]

Prodigy, let me address your itemized concerns:

"SCSI is so much more expensive that it doesn't pay off with a scanner."

In this case, a SCSI scanner (and a rather good one at that) wouldn't cost any more than a USB model. With the B4L rebate and free shipping factored in, it's about $110 USD. This price even includes a decent Adaptec interface card and external cable.

"system lag? I don't feel anything on my p3 750 with 320 mb ram"

So much for the "SCSI is so much more expensive" comment. A P3 750 and 320MB of RAM... And it is an incontrovertible fact that USB uses a lot of processor power. SCSI, virtually nil. It may not be particularly noticable under light multitasking, but try burning a CD and scanning a high-res image simultaneously. Many people have reported significant FPS losses when simply using a USB mouse.

"I mean, who uses a scanner day in and day out?"

You're quite correct, not many. But why assume that this gentleman will not? Better still, why pay the same money for an inferior scanner?

"not sure what you mean, but my USB scanner IS hot-swappable"

That was not my point, rather that it is impractical to use a scanner as a hot-swappable device unless you really have no other choice, as in the case of inadequate desk space. USB is a decent idea if one wants to share a scanner among multiple computers, kind of a hassle, but workable nonetheless (probably easier to scan the image and email the image or transfer it over a network).

"and what do you mean with "unless you're...blabla"?"

It was a perfectly intelligible comment, what's your beef? I'm a little taken aback by your comments, you seem to have a chip on your shoulder with regard to USB vs. SCSI. They are very different technologies, but the historical battle cry of "SCSI ain't worth the money" just doesn't apply here. I mean no disrespect, just trying to maintain an intelligent debate.

Best regards,
Floyd

 

[Prodigy^]

hehe

by "blabla" I didn't mean to say what you said was crap I was just saying that i was commenting the whole sentence

well ok...sorry, but I didn't know the price different was so small.......SCSI is usually pretty expensive

I mentioned that it isn't laggy to scan on my (yes, expensive) system because more and more people are getting very powerful computers that can handly the slowdown by USB. We have the same case with Winmodems, it doesn't slow down jack if you're on a Pentium 2 or above, but on old computers, it did make a difference though. As won't a USB scanner slow anything down on a PII 300+, I'm sure. I had this scanner on my old PII 266 and I couldn't really feel much when I was scanning.

peace!

 

[Floyd]

Prodigy^, no problem man, you clearly know what you're talking about, I thought we just had a misunderstanding on the topic Since you bring it up, I guess I can safely admit to using a winmodem on my machine...no broadband at home but we have a smokin' connection at work so I use it for big downloads. It's a USRobotics, it negoticates transfers well and hasn't exhibited any funky disconnects. But those PCTel winmodems on eMachines are absolutely horrid in my experience.

FWIW, I did notice a significant drain on a Celeron 450 while using a Umax USB scanner. Nothing nearly as bad as parallel, but it was enough that Alt-Tab'ing between applications would respond sluggishly. However, the Umax may not be representative of the whole since everything about it was slow.

Best regards,
Floyd

 

[Midnight Rambler]

D.D.P. !

 

[Midnight Rambler]

Prodigy,

If you're scanning at 1200dpi (hardware) and creating a huge file in the process, you might be convinced to go SCSI vs. USB.

BTW, I'd recommend taking a look at the Epson Perfection series, either the 636 or the 1200. Excellent scanner, TWAIN needs some work though.

Whatever you do, AVOID UMAX AT ALL COSTS !

 

[PCAddict]

The casual user will often not realize the merits of the SCSI interface. There have been countless threads on this board about SCSI implementation of various peripherals. I feel that there are alot of people who don't need to ever own a single SCSI device. And, I also feel that there are many like myself who couldn't live without it. USB is inexpensive and convenient. SCSI is a better performer, but cost and ease of installation take a back seat to overall functionality.

 

[throchris]

hi i know nothing about SCSI, but i am realy interested in this deal b/c it is cheap. my question is, i am building my new computer now and I don't have any SCSI items in it, but whould i be able to put a SCSI card in my computer and would that effect performance at all. I have been searching for a scanner for awhile and this sounds like a great deal.

thankx