BearPawing A Perfect Scan
Written: Feb 03 '01
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Pros: Super compact, light weight, lots of features, powered via USB port, Great Price.
Cons: None at present.
The Bottom Line: I highly recommend this scanner to the novice through the professional. Easy to setup, install and use. A terrific price too. Will meet most all your demands and then some.
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| GaryD's Full Review: Mustek Be@rPaw Flatbed Scanner |
I recently found myself needing a new flatbed scanner. The one I was using is still in fine working condition. However, with all the new upgrades of hardware and software. My old flatbed scanner would lock up regularly.
I went to their web site only to discover the company after five years has hung their sign "OUT OF BUSINESS". Therefore no new drivers for my scanner were to be had. So it gets moved to and older PC in the house. For a few more years of use.
In January, I was scanning through the channels on satellite, when I saw the Mustek BearPaw 1200 CU flatbed scanner for sell. (For technical information and software packaged with this scanner check out --- www mustek com Imaging index.htm .) On the Home Shopping Network. The scanner retails around $149 but they had it for sell that day as a special for merely $99.
The Mustek BearPaw 1200 CU flatbed had a nice blue and metallic color and modern appeal. The features that attracted me to acquire the unit were, the low profile design, powered through the USB port, the 600 X 1200 optic scan and the 48 bit enhancements, and the real clincher, OCR.
I thought in this price range I would be sacrificing a lot — but — I only need the OCR capabilities. Since I scan roughly 500 documents a week.
I have been delighted with my Mustek BearPaw 1200 CU flatbed purchase. The scan images are true brilliant, crisp, clear images and the bundle software will keep you and the kids entertained for days, months, even years.
The Mustek BearPaw 1200 CU flatbed would make and excellent choice for any one needing or wanting a new scanner. What a great gift to give as well.
THE PACKAGE CONTAINING THE Mustek BearPaw 1200 CU flatbed scanner.
Opening the package is not difficult — but is more complicated then actually installing the software and attaching the scanner.
I dropped the CD-ROM Mustek BearPaw 1200 CU flatbed scanner drive disk in the tray and the auto feature took control and a couple minutes later the soft install was complete.
Next I was instructed to "RESTART" my PC. Once the warm boot was complete I attached the USB cable (supplied) to the scanner and then the PC and I was up and running. Did I mention the Mustek BearPaw 1200 CU flatbed scanner was powered through the USB port. No need for and extra electrical outlet. One less wire to fool with—
Since my main reason to purchase this scanner was OCR use I'll elaborate on that area, but feel free to check out the link above for everything this scanner can handle.
My old scanner performed well with OCR as long as the document was professionally printed, produced on a laser, or photocopied. But, if you tried to scan a document that was printed out on a ink jet or bubble jet printed. You would be better off retyping the information by hand into the system.
With Mustek BearPaw 1200 CU flatbed scanner my world has changed — a change for the better. Papers that are printed via a bubble jet or ink jet printer scan as well as those documents produced professional, laser and photocopy.
Since I acquired the Mustek BearPaw 1200 CU flatbed scanner. I have increased productive by 90%. Scanning that once took a month or two to complete after having to make manual corrections have been reduced to one week.
As for making corrections to OCR imported scanners have been reduced to almost zero. Out of about 400 scan OCR documents, I have made roughly 10 corrections. If in all those circumstances—the needed corrects were where individuals had markup the work and scribbled in the corrections.
Another feature of the Mustek BearPaw 1200 CU flatbed scanner OCR capabilities is its ability to recognize hand printed scans. Yes indeed, if you neatly hand block print a document, this scanner will read it with a high degree of accuracy. I was impressed with that -- my old scanner would not even consider attempting such a task.
I highly recommend the Mustek BearPaw 1200 CU flatbed scanner to those that want a low cost scanner for: family photos, for web scanning, OCR etc. A nice buy and a terrific product for even the novice. Very ease to install, setup and use. A child could handle this scanner blind folded.
©opyright 2001 Gary Drury™
FOR THOSE THAT DON'T HAVE TIME TO VISIT MUSTEK.COM. THE INFORMATION FROM HERE DOWN is DIRECTLY FROM THE MUSTEK SITE. I'M PROVIDING THIS TEXT UNDER THE FAIR USE COPYRIGHT CLAUSE. Mustek owns the copyright to their own text.
The Mustek BearPaw 1200CU is one of the slimmest scanners available today. Since it is only 1.4" high and draws power from the USB port, it's ready to go wherever you go. It also includes a front panel with five easy-to-use buttons which are attached to unique functions such as scanning, faxing, copying and e-mailing.
Universal Serial Bus Connection
Installation of the BearPaw 1200CU couldn't be easier. With the power of a Universal Serial Bus connection, simply install the CDs, then plug the BearPaw 1200CU scanner into the USB port on your Windows 98/Me/2000 computer.
High-Resolution 48-Bit Color with B.D.I.T
The BearPaw 1200CU features some of the highest software enhanced resolution ever seen. It has an optical resolution of 600 x 1200 dpi with a maximum software enhanced resolution of 19,200 dpi! The BearPaw 1200CU's patented BDIT (Bit Depth Increased Technology) enhancement captures a 36-bit color image and enhances it to a brilliant 48-bit palette with over 281 trillion colors!*
* Most monitors and graphic adapters display up to 24-bit color. 48-bit color can only be used with imaging programs capable of input above 24-bit color, such as Photo Express SE.
TWAIN Compliant
The BearPaw 1200CU is a TWAIN compliant scanner. Through TWAIN, the BearPaw 1200CU can scan directly into many supported applications, providing flexibility and value.
Power of the BearPaw 1200CU
The BearPaw 1200CU features a five-button front panel which allows users to scan, copy, fax or e-mail with the press of a single-button. It's the Power of the Paw!
Image Editing
With the easy-to-use interface of Ulead's Photo Express SE, you can quickly turn your scanned images into greeting cards, announcements and invitations. You can incorporate your favorite images into calendars and brochures or you can just stick to the basics and use Photo Express SE's retouching tools to make all of your pictures look their best.
Scan and Recognize Text
FineReader, an optical character recognition application, allows documents to be scanned for editing directly with your word processing software. FineReader is powerful and easy to use, capable of recognizing many different fonts at various sizes, and quickly and accurately converting scanned documents into editable formats. It also retains document formatting and recognizes and retains color images.
Web Site Creation
If you need to create an interactive and fun Internet web site, look no further than Trellix Web. This easy to use program has preset templates for web creation. Simply add the images and text you want to create your very own free web site.
Internet File Save Formats
The included image editing software allows the BearPaw 1200CU to save in JPEG and GIF file formats commonly used for Internet graphics. The GIF file format allows transparent areas and interlaced downloading.
Hours of Fun
If family entertainment is what you are looking for, the included games should foot the bill. Puzzl'Em allows you to scan an image then split it into jigsaw puzzle pieces. You can then work with the puzzle to put the pieces back together again (also includes an easy level for younger players). With Crush'Em, scan in a background and a character, then use the hammer to "crush 'em" back down the holes from which they appear.
Reliable
The BearPaw 1200CU is both rugged and reliable. BearPaw 1200CU scanners feature a one-year warranty, free technical support, and are manufactured under strict ISO 9000 guidelines.
System Requirements
Minimum
Pentium 200 MHz processor or higher
Windows 98/Me/2000
USB port
SVGA video card with appropriate color monitor
CD-ROM or DVD ROM drive
32 MB RAM (64 MB recommended)
120 MB free hard disk space for software installation
Additional Requirements (for e-mail and fax functions):
E-mail service with at least Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0, Netscape Communicator 4.5, or Lotus cc:Mail 8.0
Attached fax/modem device
Technical Specifications
Scanner Type Flatbed
Scan Mode True Color: 48-bits/pixel (software enhanced)
36-bits/pixel - internal
24-bits/pixel - external
Gray: 12-bits/pixel
Text/Line Art: 1 bit/pixel - 2 levels
Scanning Method Single-Pass
Scanning Area 8.5" x 11.7" (Max)
Gamma Correction Software controlled
Resolution Optical: 600 x 1200 dpi
Software Enhanced: 19,200 x 19,200 dpi
Host Interface Connection USB
Power Consumption 2.5 W (USB bus powered)
Dimensions 16" x 11.1" x 1.46" (L x W x H)
Weight 4.0 lbs.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 107.00
Interface: USB
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Epinions.com ID:
GaryD
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Location: Kentucky
Reviews written: 279
Trusted by: 81 members
About Me:
My books R N bookstores, on-line ,Percentage of royalties donated to my favorite charities.
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