Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)SUMMARY
With a few caveats, this is a great little scanner. The best part is that it actually fits in my Targus computer case WITH my laptop. It weighs only 2-3 pds, and runs off USB power---no converter brick to haul around. Scans are sharp and fast. The automatic settings work very well for nearly all typical originals (old photos, business letters, receipts, etc.). Despite some shortcomings, the price and exceptional portability may make this series of scanners the choice for scanning books---because books which need to be scanned are often non-circulating items in libraries or archives.
SHORTCOMINGS
Unfortunately, the particular design of this scanner (and all other LED-based scanners) is that (unlike most fat desktop scanners) it cannot scan 3D objects. Any portion of your document or image which is not in absolute contact with the glass patten will be very blurry. The raised frame raises the edges of any original which does not fit on the glass patten, causing the edges of scans to be blurry. This is particularly a problem when scanning books. Nor can you just press down harder---that warps the glass causing blurriness elsewhere on the page, and may even jam the scanning mechanism. However, these problems may be overcome using the strategies discussed below.
The lid is non-removable, which means that you may be out-of-luck if you need to scan part of a large object. The software is multi-layered, confusing, and difficult to configure to your best use. Caveat, I've used at least three brands of scanner software, none of which were well designed. From the oddly named "MP Navigator" I suggest checking the box, "use the scanner driver" for access to the "Advanced Settings"--or better yet, scan from your graphics (photo editing) program.
NEVERTHELESS
Even though the frame is a problem, it is lower (1/16") and narrower (3/8") than most other scanners, and so, scanning books etc. is LESS of a problem than with most other scanners.
CHOOSING AMONG THE MODELS
The hardware and "Advanced Settings" portion of the scanning program of all LiDE models (at least models 90 to 210) appears to be identical. The major differences between the models is 1) improvements in the automatic scanning functions, and 2) the rated scanning speed (which is apparently software controlled). Despite the statistics quoted, there is little practical difference between the models in scanning speed. The "slower" models are quieter, and I suspect are more reliable. Since I use only the "Advanced Settings" (never the automatic settings), the 110 is my preference, regardless of price. Canon CanoScan LiDE110 Color Image Scanner (4507B002)
The 210 may be best for children and other users who will never learn how to use the "Advanced Settings", since it claims to have superior automated scanning. The 210 may be slightly faster when scanning small originals and/or at low resolution. Canon CanoScan LiDE210 Color Image Scanner (4508B002)
If you plan to scan books and if you do not plan to carry the scanner around much, you might consider a Canon LiDE 700. It has 2 major advantages. The right edge is actually flush with the glass surface (hurrah!!)---albeit there is still an excessively wide margin. The lid opens 180 degrees, so you can scan portions of a large object--albeit there is still an "edge problem" for the other three edges. Canon CanoScan LiDE 700F Color Image Scanner (3297B002)
SCANNING BOOKS
It is easy to scan books which have at least ½" of margin between the print and the spine. Place the right side of the scanner at the edge of a table, so that the book hangs open at 90 degrees when placed on the scanner. Place a moderate weight on top of your original (such as a 1" thick book). If you must press down with your fingers, press at the edges of the glass area (or even better, at the corners), not the middle. If you can't quite get in tight enough, place a 1/16" sheet of stiff cardboard directly behind each page before scanning--it is a pain, but it works.
SCANNING CREASED OR FOLDED ORIGINALS
The foam "pressure pad" in the lid is a bit too soft to insure that some originals (such as stiff letters or receipts which have been folded) are pressed sufficiently flat (even with a book on top of the lid). If you notice this problem, then place a stiff cardboard sheet (or a thin book) directly on top of your original, and close the cover.
SCANNING TO A PORTABLE COMPUTER
The scanner draws power only when scanning. However, at least with my ThinkPad---scanning to a portable running on battery-power increases the scanning time by at least 50%. Plan on having your portable plugged into an AC outlet if you plan to scan more than a few pages.
SCANNING SPEED
My experience with 3 different LiDE sanners is that frequent stopping and restarting while scanning takes up much of the actual scanning time. This could either be a problem with inadequate buffers or inadequate power. Hypothetically, if it is a power problem, a USB Y-Cable, which taps the power of two USB port may help. A USB Y-Cable did NOT improve scan time with my HP xw4200 Workstation, or my Thinkpad running on battery or AC---but in my tests, my new LiDE 110 scanned continously (without stopping and starting) with or without the extra power cable connected. Maybe my original power cords were defective. So, if you experience frequent stopping and starting, particularly in a portable running on battery, try a different power cord. If you need a longer or shorter cord that one that comes with the scanner, consider purchasing a USB-Y cord. It can't hurt, and if it doesn't help, you don't have to plug in the second cable. If you decide you need a longer cable for desktop use, I suggest a Cables To Go 28107 USB 2.0 Mini-B Male to 2 USB A Male Y-Cable (6 Feet, Black). If you decide you'd like a shorter cable for travel, I suggest Bytecc USB2-HD201 - USB cable - mini-USB Type B (M) - 4 pin USB Type A (M) - 3 ft ( USB / Hi-Speed USB ) - black
OTHER REVIEWER'S COMPLAINTS AND EASY SOLUTIONS
The automatic settings impose various limitations on the maximum selectable resolution, maximum file size etc.---which can all be superceded using the "Advanced Settings". Despite the instructions, it is not essential to close the lid, but it is necessary to avoid bright light from shining into the scanner. I use my dark microfiber cleaning cloth (folded) to cover any exposed portions of the glass patten when scanning in a bright room with the cover open. The maximum selectable resolution is 1200dpi. If you want to scan at, say 2400dpi, you have to type the value in manually in the resolution window. However, such scans are very slow, the files are very large, and I have found no actual improvement in resolution (detail recorded). The USB cable is nearly 5' long--longer than necessary for a portable scanner. Longer replacement cables, or extension cables are cheap,
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