I have used a Visioneer OneTouch 8820 USB scanner during the last year. While it has worked ok, last week it started to produce copies that were dark and had wavy gray lines. I did a clean reinstall of the software, checked all the cables and followed all the troubleshooting techniques offered by the Visioneer website. In short, the scanner seems to have bit the dust. Yesterday, I ordered a Microtech Scanmaker 4900 ($128.95 total cost with no tax or shipping charges). Based upon my research, this seems to be a good scanner. Anyone have some experience with this model?

I have a similar Microtek model and it has worked well. The 4900 has been top rated for a while now, so I think you got a good one.

Budfred

Thanks for the information. I seldom use my scanner but it is nice to be able to copy a document or a photo. I bought the "OneTouch" because I thought it would be easy to use. In reality I was disappointed with the "PaperPort 7.0" software. I hope the new scanner has improved software. Thanks again for your help and input.

Actually I liked PaperPort better than the stuff that came with my Microtek. I bought a cheap copy and use that instead of the stuff that came with the scanner. You can use any number of programs to scan with however and the main Microtek interface is a little more friendly than what came with Visioneer. I had one of those for a while too.

If you only want an occasional copy, you can do quite well for less money. The 4900 is one of the top rated scanners around today, but Microtek makes several others that are good and less than $100.

Have fun whichever way you go.
Budfred:)

Hey Flick

Couldn't agree more about the price issue. I bought an Agfa e50 Snapscan over 6 months ago and it still has to see service - it cost £165 in Britain! (£1 = $1.48)

If you don't need the best, save your bucks for something else.

See here, although you may well have done your homework already: ;) ;)

Microtek Scanners
Image Description Price
Microtek Lab Microtek Scanmaker 3630 Scanner
Part Number: 1100-03-990114 Usually Ships: 1-2 Weeks

USB interface

19200x19200 dpi max resolution

True 42-bit capable

$53.09

Microtek Lab Microtek Scanmaker 3800 Scanner
Part Number: 1108-03-520006 Usually Ships: Same Day

New space-saving EDGE design

5 easy touch buttons

ScanWizard 5 doubles your scanning power

$73.69

Microtek Lab Microtek Scanmaker 4800 Scanner
Part Number: 1108-03-520058 Usually Ships: Same Day

New space-saving EDGE design

New sigma-6 CCD

FlexScan lid

$101.70

Microtek Lab Microtek Scanmaker V6UPL Scanner
Part Number: 1108-03-410981 Usually Ships: Same Day

USB and parallel interface in one scanner

High resolution

42-bit hardware through DOT

$128.11

Microtek Lab ScanMaker 4900
Part Number: 1108-03-540031 Usually Ships: Same Day

USB Interface

True 48-bit color

Windows & Mac Compatible

$148.61

Microtek Lab ScanMaker 5600 + MP3 CD Player
Part Number: 1108-03-510123 Usually Ships: 1-3 Weeks

True 48-bit color

USB Interface

8.5" x 11.7" Scan Area

$176.76