Compact USB scanner, bus powered, no ac adapters!!!
Written: Mar 08 '02 (Updated Mar 14 '02)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
| Ease of Use: |
 |
|
|
Pros: Small compact size, powered by USB port-no ac adapter, decent quality for the price
Cons: can't handle very thick books, basic software package
The Bottom Line: Small compact easy to setup usb scanner. Very nice quality, a competent product for most of us.
|
|
|
| suemccartin's Full Review: Canon CanoScan N670U Flatbed Scanner |
I picked up this scanner to replace my older Canon 620 USB scanner. I was attracted most by the small size and the fact that it is bus powered and doesn't need an external power adapter.
Setup:
Is a breeze as with any usb device. The scanner has a built in shipping lock that keeps the scan bar from flopping around when you move the scanner, this must be unlocked before you can use it (and should be locked again before you put the scanner in your briefcase, etc.) You install the software package first and then plug the scanner into your usb port. As there is no ac adapter necessary, you conceivably could use this scanner with a laptop (to the detriment of your battery life I'm sure).
What I like about it:
-Simple installation
-No AC adapter to plug in when outlets may already be at a premium
-I haven't found any package yet that couldn't see the scanner and use it as a TWAIN device in windows
-Tiny size, it's barely bigger than a notebook, it's the smallest scanner I've ever seen for sale.
-For what I use it for, I think the quality is quite acceptable. I do agree that it slows up quite a bit at high resolutions.
-Floating control panel bar that is available through the task tray or can be left floating around your desktop-easy to use.
-Decent set of basic software included with the scanner, ArcSoft PhotoStudio, ScanSoft OmniPage (OCR), ArcSoft PhotoBase (picture album package)
What I don't like about it:
-Lid expands a bit but doesn't offer the ability to completely unhinge that a lot of scanners have. You could probably do something no thicker than three inches on this scanner which would probably leave out encyclopedias and telephone books, etc.
-Slow at high resolutions
-You have to remember to put your original in topside towards the front of the scanner or it will scan upside down.
-Calibrates itself the first time you use it which causes a short delay before it actually scans, in fairness every scanner I've used does this to some degree.
SOFTWARE:
I do not use have any use for an ocr package and thus I can't comment on the quality of that package. The other included packages allow you to manipulate, store, and organize your photos or other documents you scan with the scanner. The piece of software that I use the very most is the toolbar utility. I for one think this control panel is pretty decent and does just exactly what you need it to do. The scanner has three hot buttons on the front that can be programmed to activate your email, fax, etc. programs and do something with the output created by the scanner these functions are set with the toolbar. In addition to allowing you to setup commonly used functions, the toolbar also offers the ability to use advanced scanner settings which provide some fairly powerful color correction capabilies, moire removal for magazine scans, etc. I personally think these functions work very well for a home user.
I've had the scanner for awhile and I have to say I think it's an improvement over my old 620 unit. I find the scans bright, clear and free of the "noise" seen with some cheap scanners. For the person who wants to send an occasional fax, scan the occasional receipt, let the kids scan whatever they need for school etc, then this is a great scanner. It has no fancy bells or whistles and easily installs just by connecting the usb cable and installing the software for it. I've been very happy with this product and I'd recommend it to anyone that needs a decent basic scanner but has no huge desktop to keep it on.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 99.00
Interface: USB
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
suemccartin
|
 - Top 500 |
|
Location: Florida, USA
Reviews written: 289
Trusted by: 36 members
About Me:
Been building computers for 10+ years. I work to support my computer habit.
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.