Scanners - Which One Is the Best ??

[graham]

Hey guys, im looking around at a new scanner. I have my eye on one, but i've read some pretty screwed reviews of it

Im mostly interested in how the scanner scans refractors. I would appreciate it if you could post what model scanner you have and an example scan of a refractor if possible

Ill go first -

Scanner - Canon Canoscan 3200F

 

[chadjaja]

My two in one HP scanner printer doest do refractors justice. Even shitty ones like that.

I need a good one for my Eric Montross refrcator scans myself.

 

[ace e]

very good thread- i need one too, first wolves puts up a thread i was thinking and now hill - how good is this forum.

 

[Dr. Curlytek]

I don't have one of those old-style refractors (you don't have $1000 worth of those lying around for me, do ya Chad?), but I did have this shiny/refractory card at hand.

CanoScan N640P ex (re-patriated from my Dad's setup)

 

[Noddy]

Hi, I just got my 3rd scanner in the same amount of weeks. Do not get a canon Lide if you want to scan graded cards. The depth perception is terrible. I've now got a Epson V100 Photo.

 

[graham]

Ian

Was it a Lide 60 that you emailed me about that you had problems with ?

What was the first scanner you got ? What was wrong with the first one ?

How does the new one scan graded cards ?

 

[buyingstuffformikelee]

Great topic

I would also like to know which is great for graded cards and the darn dreaded, 03-04 Exquisite serial number scan.

 

[Noddy]

The first one was the Canon LiDE 60. Standard cards scanned ok but graded cards came out terrible. I then got another Canon, a LiDE 600f it was better but graded cards were still blurry and out of focus.
The first pic. is from the Canon. It is blurry and out of focus the other one is from my new Epson V100 photo.

 

[bargey]

The reason graded cards come out terrible is because the LiDE scanners use the cheaper technology and are focused right at the glass, so if anything isn't right on the glass they're out of focus. If you want a crystal clear scan on graded you need a CIS based scanner.

 

[graham]

I actually went through on eBay and emailed some of the sellers with really nice refractor photos - only two have come back so far and both have said they use HP scanners (different models). I was looking at a HP - might definitely swing towards that way now.

EDIT : The JR seller says he uses an older HP Scanjet 3570c, and the Lebron seller said HP, but not much more than that

 

[graham]

Think I may have cracked the case - another guy got back to me and uses a HP Scanjet 4370.

 

[JeWeLLsTaH]

I am also looking at purchasing a scanner, I dont want to spend much $ on it. I am after something pretty simple, just to scan basic non-graded cards, for trading and maybe selling.
What is the minimum acceptable quality for card scans resolution wise?
Anyone have any suggestions on what models i should consider?

 

[buyingstuffformikelee]

I actually went through on eBay and emailed some of the sellers with really nice refractor photos - only two have come back so far and both have said they use HP scanners (different models). I was looking at a HP - might definitely swing towards that way now.

EDIT : The JR seller says he uses an older HP Scanjet 3570c, and the Lebron seller said HP, but not much more than that

I must have picked up the dodgy HP :-(

 

[graham]

Well I went out and bought a HP today - HP ScanJet 4850. Havent really played with it much to improve the scans at all, but so far extremely happy with the results. You be the judge

First one is the Canon, second one is the HP. I'll post more scans in the coming days when i've had more time for comparisons!

 

[WoobieZarz]

Oooh nice results!!!

I saw a Lexmark all in 1 today, for $89. Was thinking about it.

Here's my Canon results:

EDIT:
I couldnt find anything decent from the encased cards. Only have Finest Blue Ref/X-Fra.

 

[graham]

What model Canon Scotty?

 

[WoobieZarz]

Not really sure to be honest...

I got it as a cheapie with a printer/scanner package (separate units).
Not real happy with it with some of the Reflections cards, and also some others (Topps Pristine Personal Endorsements) and others.

 

[justdabestcards]

Lexmark all in one x2330 cheapie. cost > $40 off ebay a few months ago. it does the job, but you get what you pay for

 

[Hennessy]

Remember we had this discussion last year, Graham? If my memory serves me correctly, at that time, we said a Lexmark branded scanner was the best.

And now it is a HP! And I think I'm going to follow your footstep Graham. I've already enquired about it with my local computer shop but apparently, HP Scanjet 4850 is out of stock temporarily in NSW.

How does it scan with cards stored on a One-Touch magnetic holders Graham? Because most of my cards are stored that way and my scanner cannot scan me a clear image, always blurry.

- Hendra

 

[graham]

Hey Hendra

At the time, I couldnt really get a clear answer out of anyone. The only real answer I had was from Whitestrokes and he said a Lexmark. I had one of those lined up, but after I read some reviews, it was shite.

Regarding the scanner, try www.ht.com.au (I was able to get them to drop it almost 10%). They have stores in NSW I believe. If you want to wait a couple of days for delivery, there are some online stores that can do them about the same price as well. www.chompit.com.au have them - however add shipping on top and it gets close to Harris Technologies prices anyways.

I will scan some one touches up tonight if you like. From what i've seen so far it's pretty darn good though. You can put 9 cards on the scanner, and after it previews (which is VERY quick) you can draw a box around each of the 9 cards and hit ok and it scans each of the cards individually so you have 9 different files instead of 1 large one! You can of course scan as one large file if you want.

I'll post up some more scans tonight.