Great scanner for library materials?
July 3, 2008 3:22 PM Subscribe
Help me find a good scanner for library research - good quality, fast, quiet, portable ... cheap?
I often do research in libraries and like to scan materials when library policy allows. I used to have a pretty decent Canon LIDE scanner, but it was slow. I got a newer, similar scanner - but it has a stupid ridge around the scanning area, and since LIDE can't see anything further than a micron away from the scanner glass, the ridge makes it useless for anything larger than 8.5 x 11 - part of the page doesn't scan at all, just because the ridge holds the page away from the glass.
I've searched online shopping sites and earlier AskMeFi threads, but didn't see anything that quite fit the bill.
So, my criteria in order of importance (first four are non-negotiable):
* OS X compatible (ideally, would also work with Windows 2000)
* good scan quality - none of that LIDE nonsense (tho LIDE with NO RIDGE would be okay)
* flatbed (I'm scanning library materials, so no feeding things through a page at a time)
* portable
* quiet
* fast
* inexpensive
A handheld might be okay if it can do hundreds of pages in an afternoon.
In the meantime, I've been using a 7MP camera with more or less acceptable results, but a fast scanner would be spiffy.
Thanks!
I often do research in libraries and like to scan materials when library policy allows. I used to have a pretty decent Canon LIDE scanner, but it was slow. I got a newer, similar scanner - but it has a stupid ridge around the scanning area, and since LIDE can't see anything further than a micron away from the scanner glass, the ridge makes it useless for anything larger than 8.5 x 11 - part of the page doesn't scan at all, just because the ridge holds the page away from the glass.
I've searched online shopping sites and earlier AskMeFi threads, but didn't see anything that quite fit the bill.
So, my criteria in order of importance (first four are non-negotiable):
* OS X compatible (ideally, would also work with Windows 2000)
* good scan quality - none of that LIDE nonsense (tho LIDE with NO RIDGE would be okay)
* flatbed (I'm scanning library materials, so no feeding things through a page at a time)
* portable
* quiet
* fast
* inexpensive
A handheld might be okay if it can do hundreds of pages in an afternoon.
In the meantime, I've been using a 7MP camera with more or less acceptable results, but a fast scanner would be spiffy.
Thanks!
Oops. My bad. Missed the "flatbed" requirement. Take back. But the ScanSnaps are great machines.
posted by webhund at 5:06 PM on July 3, 2008
posted by webhund at 5:06 PM on July 3, 2008
Opticbook 3600 for all your research (and copyright infringement) needs. If only you were using Windows. It's a perfect scanner for books. I don't know of an OSX equivalent.
posted by i_am_a_Jedi at 5:31 PM on July 3, 2008
posted by i_am_a_Jedi at 5:31 PM on July 3, 2008
Vuescan supports a wide variety of scanners under OS X. Might be worth a try with that OpticBook 3600.
posted by Kikkoman at 9:10 PM on July 3, 2008
posted by Kikkoman at 9:10 PM on July 3, 2008
FYI, those little text scanners advertised in SkyMall are crap, so don't get one of those. I have one and it was a huge waste of money.
posted by Jacqueline at 12:52 AM on July 5, 2008
posted by Jacqueline at 12:52 AM on July 5, 2008
« Older Quick, easy group chat with Facebook integration | I want to fully explore the world of MAYONNAISE. Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by webhund at 5:03 PM on July 3, 2008