Sufficient for most scanning needs, beware the streak
Written: Nov 09 '09
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Pros: Slim profile, USB power source, good value
Cons: Picky software set-up, streaky scans after less than a year
The Bottom Line: Without the ability to take this scanner on the road, its usefulness is vastly reduced for me, and now that the scans are flawed its days may be numbered.
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| miatam's Full Review: Canon CanoScan LiDE600F Flatbed Scanner |
Purchased this Canon CanoScan LiDE 600F in Nov. '08 to replace a 2001 Canon N1220U that died. Appreciate the 4800dpi optical resolution but very rarely scan at that high a res - the files would be huge! It is extremely helpful to scan a small photo at 1200dpi and convert it in Photoshop. Of course the 4800dpi is good for negatives - which I haven't scanned yet as I have not yet installed the software specifically needed to calibrate the negative scanner attachment, which is different than the driver software. I concur with the first reviewer's statement that the negative scanner attachment is difficult to connect, indicators which generally depict the top of a plug are actually the bottom side.
Although I installed the Canon-included device driver and scanning software I don't use the scanning software but a third-party scanning software (VueScan) which provides more versatility in an elegant work environment. WARNING on the Canon software - you MUST install it for the device driver before you plug in the scanner, otherwise your computer will not recognize it - that inadvertently happened with my laptop! I had hoped to do remote scanning, and after this set-up snafu I have not been able to remedy the problem, so my scanner is homebound.
Scanner design is excellent, I like that the scanner lid hinge is oriented horizontally (landscape) rather than vertically (portrait), and also that it can be completely positioned away from the bed, it makes scanning books and other awkwardly-shaped items a little easier. Also the flip-out stand is great, for a while I stored it that way on the floor and slipped papers in from the top. However, for more critical scans you do want to have the scanner on a flat surface.
Scan quality is acceptable for the price, I have found that due to extremely limited depth of field, sometimes I need to weigh it down with a book or two (despite the warnings about placing anything on top of the scanner lid) to improve contact between my object to be scanned and the scanner platen.
However, after about ten months the scanner has developed a flaw in the center of the scanner element that shows up as a horizontal light streak running smack-dab down the middle of my scans. I can "scan around" it with smaller photos, but must retouch them out of larger photos and that is a real pain. I may need to upgrade sooner than I anticipated.
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): 162.00
Interface: USB
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Epinions.com ID:
miatam
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Member: Tammy
Location: Somewhere-on-the-Peninsula, CA
Reviews written: 3
Trusted by: 0 members
About Me:
Photographer, Graphic Artist, Production Manager, San Francisco native
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