Home Forums Discussions General Discussion Scanner recommendation

Hi everyone,

Since we are discussing scanning and PaperPort on another thread, I am wondering whether it is time for us to acquire a new scanner. I don't think this forum has discussed scanner recommendations for the past year. At that time the The Fujitsu Scansnap S1500 Scanner seemed to be the favorite.

Anyone with a current recommendation?

Also, the Fujitso scanner looks like it uses a proprietary driver, not TWAIN. Will this work with PaperPort?

Thanks. Gene

Documate 152 or 510.

JamesNT

If you can import PDFs which I believe you can with PP, the ScanSnap S1500 is still pretty good.

If you want one with a TWAIN driver, check out the fi-6130Z. It's faster and has some other cool features the S1500 doesn't. There's a big difference in price though.

I used to have some Documate 272s which worked really well. Unfortunately they were no longer compatible with our newer computers so we went with S1500s. We don't really use the direct import from Amazing Charts. S1500 is basically a no nonsense scanner. Press a button and it auto-rotates, detects both sides, adjusts the resolution.

Scansnap S1500 is just one of those purchases you never regret. It does what it's supposed to do, never gives you trouble, doesn't take a PhD to operate. You can't go wrong.
Dave
FP

I use a slightly older version of the Scansnap, they are like old HP laser printer (at least the good HP ones), they just work and do what they are supposed to do.

Can't comment on the Documates, solely because I have not used them. I don't see how they could surpass the Scansnaps, but they may be as good.

It is true that you cannot directly import, but that is not a big deal.

We use a Documate 510, generally works well although sometimes it will not power on properly to be recognized by the computer, or goes to sleep unpredictably.

It was a very difficult install, a true PITA to get working.
Do not install the junk software that comes with it, go to the web site and get just the drivers.

what are the functional advantages of the above mentioned scanners as opposed to using a Brother MFC 8460N or similiar device?

Speed, efficiency, compact size, better software, more optimized, etc. For instance, ScanSnaps come with Adobe Acrobat Standard which is usually $300 on its own (check amazon). There were some instances where I just needed Acrobat and bought a couple ScanSnaps instead. $100 more and you get really nice scanner to go with that Acrobat.

The brother scanners are slower and have bigger files and are much more cumbersome to use for scanning. I have brothers (7840 and 8660) in each office but the scanning is scansnap.

And full Adobe acrobat is a major advantage

Think you convinced me now to free up the 'capital expenditure cash'.

I second that nomination. I use an S1500 for personal use, and the office has the 6130z. You really can't compare these machines to the multi-function devices. One is a greyhound, and the other a St. Bernard. The Fujitsu's do only one thing, and they do it very well.

However, do note that the 6130z's may now not come with Adobe Acrobat bundled.

Yea, it's not Fujitsu's fault that Adobe Acrobat is no longer included. Actually they should all be disappearing soon as Adobe wants to move to a subscription model. You pay per year to use the software and at the end of the year you have to renew. So as a result, Fujitsu has chosen to include alternative software that doesn't require a yearly fee.

They do include ScanAll Pro and Kofax VRS Workgroup edition (not home like on the S1500). Probably didn't want to mislead customers with the subscription fee so they dropped it. Also, they introduced a ScanSnap Add-In which brings the S1500 one button approach to the 6130.

I've not been a fan of the ScanAll. I like the ScanSnap app that's bundled with the S1500 much better. I've been told by Fujitsu that this Add-In is on the install CD, and cannot be downloaded.

To use: Start > Programs > Fujitsu ScandAll PRO > ScanSnap mode

Would loved to have used the ScanSnap Add-In, but when i enable that mode, it seems ti conflicts with the Twain driver, and I can't scan directly from AC.

Maybe someone knows a way to resolve this conflict.

Scansnap uses a special driver which allows that push button effect. Can't use the TWAIN driver to do what the scansnap driver does. Scanning directly into AC is overrated. There's so much more you can do before you put it in AC. Much prefer the optimized scanning of Acrobat. Autostraighten and flipping pages and even OCR if you want it to.

Hmm...something to consider.

Looks like Fujitsu has come out with a new version of the S1500, the "Fujitsu ScanSnap iX500 Scanner (PA03656-B005)?" Might have to order one next week.

I currently have been hobbling along with a Lexmark All in one scanner, but am ready to do some serious scanning now.

The ix500 is nice refresh. Now they are more integrated with the cloud and also has the ability to scan over WiFi or from mobile phones. It still has Acrobat Standard I believe.

Our office uses the epson gt-s50. I don't think it has any fancy features. It's wired and has simple user software. It's pretty fast (25images per minute simplex; 50 ipm duplex) and fairly reliable. It doesn't jam too often and occasionally it will glitch (but restarting it puts it back to normal).

I was reviewing this scanner thread, and was wondering if there is a decent scanner for around $100. Does not have to be TWAIN. Its for home use, but I'd prefer sheet rather than a flat bed. Really, I have no place to put a flat bed scanner...the things just take up too much space.

Any suggestions? I can't seem to find anything under $300. Seems strange, since its pretty mature technology and I can by a decent laser printer for $100.

I just purchased the iX500 and I'm SO pleased! I have loved the s1500 but this is even better. This comes with Adobe Acrobat XI standard. The best thing about the device: It's WIFI. I can plug it in anywhere in the office and scan to:

Computer over WIFI
iPhone or Android app!

Now I have it just sitting on shelf in the office, but anywhere you place it you can digitize the paper.

It is wonderful. All network devices are pretty great. You can plug in a device anywhere with WiFi or via an ethernet cable. Don't even have to worry about keeping the computers on for shared printers. It's good to cut out Windows Printer Sharing from the equation.

yeah, but I'm trying to get something cheap for home use.

Just ordered a brother mfc from new egg for 119, BW laser, no fax., sheet fed scanner. I've been happy with my prior brothers

Seems that I may be better off buying a MFD rather than a dedicated scanner (except for the space requirement, which I can handle.) I see some MFDs for $100 or $120 bucks or so. Before shipping and tax of course.

Does anyone have experience with this device:

DCP-7065DN MFC

It does not fax, but I can use my internet fax for the faxing that I do from home.

Or this

MFC7360N

This faxes too.

I've been using a canon MX922 for a couple of months. Nice MFD. Inkjet. Duplex sheet feed scanner. Duplex printing. Air print. Google cloud print. About $120. I wouldn't get one of these devices and not use it for occasional printing because it still primes the inkjet cartridges and uses them up slowly even if you never print. Consumer reports estimated this was like $70 a year for this "feature."

Nice Kent. Thank for the suggestion. The ones I'm looking at so far are lasers, since I won't do that much printing at home. What I really wanted was the scanner, but this is cheaper (ain't that a blip!) But I may as well be able to print on it occasionally too.