HP 6300 Series: Fastest Scan in the West
Written: Aug 13 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Very fast, excellent scanning software, USB cable included
Cons: Software does not allow adding or deleting "scanto" apps
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| JMB623's Full Review: Hewlett Packard ScanJet 6300C Flatbed Scanner |
I've had the HP 6300C for about two months as a replacement for my Umax 1220P, and all I can say about it is that it is incredibly fast running on a USB connection, has an excellent software bundle, and is simply the very best consumer level scanner available at a reasonable price. If you add to that the ease of installation and use, there's almost nothing wrong with this picture.
The HP 6300X series (6300C(xi) (se), 6350, and 6390) is feature packed, and can be purchased online for slightly over $300 (6300C, which differs from the others only in software bundles and extra hardware that most consumers wouldn't need). If you are running a business in which you scan a lot of documents or photos everyday, the 6350 has a 25-sheet automatic document feeder (ADF) that will save time. The 6390 includes that and a SCSI card/cable combo. The retail prices for these two are $500 and $900, respectively. Same exact scanner as the 6300C with some hardware and software goodies added.
It took longer to figure out where I'd put my new 6300C, and to route the USB cable than it did to actually install it. It comes with one of those "quick install" cards. If you follow the numbered illustrated steps, installation of the software and drivers takes less than 10 minutes. With a USB connection Windows 98 recognized it immediately.
It does install itself to run the scanner lamp control at startup, which, if you've read some of my other reviews, you know I hate. I disabled that feature using Windows 98 system configuration program by simply unchecking the box for it. Unless you are using your scanner all the time, having it run at startup just uses up resources and shortens the life of the lamp. It will turn on when you press scan or click on it in the program, and you will have to wait a few seconds while it warms up, but for that minor inconvenience you'll save resources and not have to replace the expensive lamp so soon.
Using this scanner is a walk in the park. It has five buttons on the front panel that direct it to scan to e-mail, a file, and selected MS Word or Works applications. This is the one deficiency I've found in the 6300C's software because you cannot add to, or delete from, the pre-installed list of "scanto" applications. It does, however, work perfectly as set up.
I put a shortcut to the software on my quick launch bar, and that's how I run it. Using the software allows manual setting of the dots per inch resolution (this scanner has 1200 dpi optical resolution, and can be software enhanced up to 999,999 dpi, though a file created at this resolution would take up a whole multi-gig hard drive). It also has a separate copy application, which will save search and destroy missions hunting down a copy machine in the middle of the night.
I did not install the included Adobe Photodeluxe Business Edition 1.1 since there are much better graphics applications. For photos and other graphics I scan from and to Jasc's Paintshop Pro 6.02 (version 7 will be out next month). The 6300C works seamlessly with PSP, which does allow you to choose the twain software.
What this scanner does best is scan at speeds that were, until recently, only thought possible with professional scanners costing in excess of $2,000. It does previews in 10 seconds or less on my USB connection, and scanned an 8X10 full color photo in 20 seconds. If you need even more incredible speed, you can always buy a SCSI board and a cable, but this expense would be, in my humble opinion, going way over the top to chew on scenery for most potential users. There is a world of difference between the 6300 series and the popular "about-$100 scanners". If you're in the market for a really good scanner that will suffice for at least a couple of years, and is fast and easy to use at little more than $300, the HP 6300C is it!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 318.95
Interface: USB
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Member: Joel
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