Flat Bed Scanner
 

Well this weekend I finally decided that I need to add a scanner to my shop. Of all the millions of scanners in the world, which do you recommend for less than $400.00. Most all of the work will be scanning regular size paper or smaller. I do not expect to scan anything that is 11x17. Now if there is a scanner that has this size scanning ability (in my price range), than I am all for it. My goal is to achieve the highest resolution possible for the money.

Thanks in advance for all the suggestions and comments.

Scanner change so quickly its hard to know what to recommend. One other thing to look for is either a negative scanner or transparency adapter. The scanner I use has a transparency adapter which is handy for scanning negatives.

Nathan Gifford

I think the best scanner for the $ right now is the Epson 2450 Photo Scanner http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/index.jsp It is an 8x10 scanner, 48bit, and best of all has FireWire. Most places have it for $399 with some kinda of $50 gift card with purchase (Best Buy, Office Depot). It does 4 x 9 transparencies, and has slide and neg holders. I've read several good reviews of it (Steve's Digicams, Shutterbug). You won't find a quality 11x 14 scanner in your price range. The FireWire really speeds the scans up.

Jeff

Check the resolution, and buy whatever has the highest you can afford. Make sure you check the optical resolution not the interpolated resolution. I think the current range of standard scanners are around 1200x2400dpi (optical) and around 9600dpi interpolated.

"I think the best scanner for the $ right now is the Epson 2450 Photo Scanner "
I just got a 1640 model, which is similar, has SCSI interface in addition to USB, and I paid just $89 from a place in NY called usavegelt. It is very fast and high resolution.
HTH
Alex

<<<-- Originally posted by Alex Dolgin : "I think the best scanner for the $ right now is the Epson 2450 Photo Scanner "
I just got a 1640 model, which is similar, has SCSI interface in addition to USB, and I paid just $89 from a place in NY called usavegelt. It is very fast and high resolution.
HTH
Alex -->>>

That is a pretty amazing price for the 1640. The best I could find was in the $300.00 range. Do they have an internet site?

check the PC magazines - they usually test several at a time.

if you are scanning text, photo's for video/web you will be happy with under $200 scanners (most are now 42 or 48 bit )...

here are reviews of scanners under 200

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,369531,00.asp

Yep, they still have it on the first page. Go http://www.usavegelt.com/
I do not know how they do it, but they are legit. I was in NY and picked the piece up. A friend got it from them via the web. The scanner is amazingly fast and smart.
Alex

Per Jeff's suggestion, I am leaning towards the 2450. I really like the idea of having a fire wire connection. All though if I could find a deal like Alex found, that might change my mind!