Best Scanner?

[Ark]

Well I moved all my computer stuff around, and I need a new scanner that works with Windows 7 64-bit. My Epson 1250 I'd been using under Vista 32-bit, still works just fine, but I have no drivers for it anymore. I'm ordering from Newegg, and just wanted to check with the experts here since I periodically scan cards, what is the best brand or features to look for? I'd probably just get another Epson, since I've had good luck with them.

*edit*
I'm probably going to just get the V30 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6838110026
It's the cheapest Epson flatbed, and it supports Windows 7 64bit. Only $65 after discount and shipping.
Please chime in if there is a way better option or something horrible about this model that I'm missing!

[Nyth]

Whatever you get, I'll get too since I have a lot of the missing promos that need scanning but do not have a scanner worth trying them out with.

[extreme]

there's always XP Mode if you have Ultimate. I have the same problem, solved with xp mode.

[Ark]

there's always XP Mode if you have Ultimate. I have the same problem, solved with xp mode.

I only have Windows 7 Professional. There are Windows 7 drivers for the scanner, but they are 32-bit only. The Epson 1250 just does not support Vista 64-bit or Windows 7 64-bit.

The V30 is listed as certified for Windows 7 and 64-bit on the Microsoft Windows 7 compatibility search pages, so I guess I'll try it out. $65 is a great price anyway. 4800dpi optical, 48-bit color, and USB 2.0 are pretty standard on all the flatbeds. This one uses an LED light for instant-on, instead of the traditional cold cathode tube that required that 30-45 second warm-up time. I'm not sure if that is going to have any negative impact on the color quality of the scans or not. Well, for documents and all non-MTG things, I won't care anyway, so it will still be usable for me.

I've got some missing promos to scan and I'm sure I'll help with Scars soon, so we'll find out how good the V30 is shortly.

[extreme]

leds = unusable foil scans, it seems (but only based on one scanner). Other than that, it's cool.

[Ark]

leds = unusable foil scans, it seems. Other than that, it's cool.

Well my foil scans were never very great, no matter what angle I rotated the card to on my old scanner anyway, so that's probably alright.

[extreme]

maybe you'll be luckier this time. Fingers crossed !

[woogerboy21]

I don't know how epson scanners work but the last few scans I've done extreme seems to be pretty happy with. But I don't see the model I have on newegg. Its made by canon (mp620b). The things I've noticed about all the scanners I have owned in the past is that if they only draw power from the USB ports only, then they dont do a very good job. This might not be the case for all scanners but of the few I have owned in the past it seems to be. Good luck with what you purchase and let everyone know how well it works when you do choose / recieve which ever model.

edit:
Dont get a canon LiDE flatbed. I've owned 2 and they weren't that good. Great for plain documents but card scans didn't work out so great.

[Ark]

I'm sending you some test scans now, Extreme

[Ark]

Well the LEDs are in a series spread out, and not one big long physical light source like the tubes in old scanners, and that must really mess with foils. I guess the V30 is good for regular scans, but don't get an LED scanner if you want to scan foils!

[PresetM]

Only $65 after discount and shipping.

I have my doubt that you will have great scans with this cheap scanner...

[woogerboy21]

Can you post some examples of your test scans? Just curious what they look like. (LED and NON-LED)

[Ark]

Only $65 after discount and shipping.

I have my doubt that you will have great scans with this cheap scanner...

It's really not bad. I think it is as good or better than my previous scanner for regular scans. The more expensive models really just seem to add things like a film/negative module and other things I don't need.

Basically, the LEDs cause these vertical lines, that you can't get rid of, because the light source is a series of points and not a continuous solid line.