Exactly what I needed.
Written: Nov 26 '00 (Updated Nov 26 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Simple to set up and use. Turns your computer into a copy machine.
Cons: Only good for 8 1/2 x 11" papers. No off switch for psychos like me...
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| ruff's Full Review: Visioneer OneTouch 7600 Flatbed Scanner |
Have you ever tried to run an old SCSI flatbed scanner from 1991 on a Windows 98se system? I have. My old Microtek Scanmaker was such an unbelievable pain in the posterior, I finally put my foot down, and dropped it off at my local thrift store. Then I ran to Office Depot and, for a twentieth of what the old scanner cost when it was new, picked up a Visioneer OneTouch 7600 scanner.
Setting up the scanner was a cinch. Fully USB plug and play compatible, the scanner is automatically recognized by Windows. Then, after running the installation software, the scanner is ready for use. It installs a taskbar program by default that runs on startup and keeps the scanner ready for use. (Beats those old DOS drivers anyday.)
Since the system, sadly, has no "Off" switch, the little taskbar driver powers up the scanner whenever it is needed. Powering up the scanning lamp requires about 60 seconds. The scanner sleeps when not in use, like most new peripherals.
Its most useful features are the two "one touch" buttons labeled "Scan," which automatically starts the scanning software, and "Copy/Print" which scans whatever is in the tray, immediately sending it to the default printer. You don't have to do a thing more than than push that button. It's a very useful feature for making copies, especially with a laser printer installed. I've never had cause to use the "Fax" button, so I really can't comment on it.
I also don't run the scanning software, ever. My setup uses the scan driver as input for Corel PhotoPaint (which works flawlessly with the scanner), so I can edit images instantly. From looking at the scanner's rating here, I'm sure it works well.
Scan quality is very good, too, considering the scanner's $100 price tag. It runs at 600 by 1200 dots per inch (dpi), which is more than enough for most people. In fact, I recommend scanning at 50% size or less, otherwise the scan winds up being larger than the desktop itself. In other words, you can get a really, really close-up view of scanned objects.
I see very few drawbacks to the OneTouch 7600. One is the size. Its' scan bed is the size of a sheet of paper, so it's not possible to scan very large images. And secondly, I wish it had that hardware "off" switch, because I don't like machines that can turn themselves on without my permission. Ever see "Small Soldiers"?
My paranoia aside, the OneTouch scanner is a sure-bet. It installs cleanly, runs as expected, and acquires a crisp image. It may be worthwhile to shop around for a newer model than the 7600, or one with a bigger scanning bed, but if you see it around, try it out.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
ruff
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Reviews written: 69
Trusted by: 46 members
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