Need a good scanner.

kalch23 · February 10, 2006 11:06PM

My old scanner broke and my new HP scanner isn't up to par. Anybody have any suggestions on a scanner that provides good high quality scans?

Much appreciated!

LanLord · February 10, 2006 11:17PM

I have an HP Scanner that does a great job. However if you're posting about scanning on a coin forum I must think you're going to be scanning coins.

You'll always have better luck with a digital camara than a scanner.
Look for one with a good macro capability and good optical zoom.

Smittys · February 10, 2006 11:24PM

I've always had great luck with Microtek.
Example scan.

Cameonut · February 10, 2006 11:42PM

I tried several scanners and have had the best luck with models that use a fluorescent tube instead of LED's as the light source. The LED's seem to generate multiple reflections in the slab.

kalch23 · February 10, 2006 11:44PM

What model is that microtek? Thanks!

koynekwest · February 11, 2006 12:45AM

"What model is that microtek? Thanks!"

Ditto. That's a great image from a scanner.

Smittys · February 11, 2006 1:18AM

It's a Microtek Scanmaker 5600, it's a couple years old and my second scanner
from microtek both have been great. Get a high resolution one .
the scan above was scan at 600 dpi, then photodeluxed down to size.

grip · February 11, 2006 1:19AM

That is impressive for a scanner.What brand?
Al

lablover · February 11, 2006 1:21AM

The best scanner for coins is the Epson Perfection line. I use the older 2450. Coingame2000 (Mike DeFalco) turned me on to this great scanner. Laura (his wife) uses this scanner for all of their images. The results are terrific with little tweeking.

Examples (all scanned by me little hands):

JrGMan2004 · February 11, 2006 2:21AM

I know some people here behemontly love their scanners... and they are a nice cheaper alternative... but I honestly feel you get a lot more out of a decent digital and light set-up... while lablover definately has some of the better scanner pics I've seen, to my eye, the colors look a little flat, and I'm sure his coins really pop in person, and I've always felt that a digi-cam with some practice can really bring that out

mrearlygold · February 12, 2006 1:18AM

Please show a gold coin scanned with that microtek or epson! We've had good luck with silver coins but not so good with gold and gold makes up the vast majority of my business. Would really like to find a better scanner.

joeyuk · February 12, 2006 2:25AM

This coin is not ms but was scanned by an Epson perfection 2400 PHOTO at 2400 DPI
and resized to 500X512 pixels with adobe photoshop to post here. I also have a nikkon
coolpix 8700 I never really liked so last week we picked up a Cannon Rebel xt package
and that seems to be the cats azz. Been using that some and really like it.

Barry · February 12, 2006 3:07AM

I had an Epson Perfection scanner once. The problem, which may not be unique to Epson, is rapid sunsetting of the products. The scanner I had came with a Win98 driver. About 2 years later, XP came along and they simply said they were discontinuing support for the scanner and never released an XP driver.

topstuf · February 12, 2006 3:16AM

I have an HP scanner. Is there any way to get the thing to FOCUS? I have tried everything (including the manual) and have not found a way to get it to see the coin in a ....slab. It seems okay for scanning a pocketknife or other object but not to get to the coin in a slab which is above the scanbed.

????????????/

Burks · February 12, 2006 3:16AM

My HP 1400 series is worthless for scanning any coins with luster. They come out flat and dull.

Don't even try a slab with it either. You will get sick looking at 30 images of a blurred coin. My camera techniques suck as well.

coppercoins · February 12, 2006 4:11AM

By far and away digital cameras blow scanners away when it comes to imaging coins. With some luck decent images can be scanned, but cameras are far better for the job.

carl · February 12, 2006 6:57AM

I had a HP scanner that worked great with my old Windows 98. Not great for coinsk but OK. Then I got Windows NT or whatever this thing now is and the scanner didn't work. Naturally I tried emailing HP. Got stupid questions back asking me to discribe everything except my shoe size. I sent all info back and was asked what was my problem? I went through this nonsense 53 times and finally started calling HP. Guess what. Must be the same people in India that refuse to answer your problems for AOL or just can't understand what your saying. Went through that on the phone 5 more times and finally went out and bought an Epson. I think they are told to just stay curtious and keep asking you questions until you go nuts or stop bothering them. My Epson works almost as good as a decent camera for coins. Almost I said.

carl · February 12, 2006 6:59AM

If your HP scanner isn't working properly you may want to call their help desk but have an Indian translater with you when you do.

kalch23 · February 12, 2006 2:21PM

I went to Best Buy and went with the $99 Epson Scanner which just blows my cheap all-in-one HP away.

Software is also remarkably easy to use.

HP Scan

Epson Scan

1985ChicagoBears · February 12, 2006 3:10PM

To Kalch23'a comment -- I too just bought an Epson scanner at Best But. Mine is model 3490 and is just a scanner; nothing else. Got it for $79.00.

I have taken scans of Morgans; Statehood Quarters and Large Cents and they all have come out very good. I am getting excellent detail (in fact, too much detail as every scratch, nick, shadow, etc. come up in the scan but that's life). The scans on the Large Cents were unbelievable even the dark color cents.

If you are having trouble with your scanner and can't get clear shots(e.g., blurry scans), it is the scanner. It is not getting enough depth and there is nothing you can do about it. Anything that laid flat waws okay but try and scan a slabbed coin; no way. I know since I had the same problem with my Epson scanner/printer.

I also agree with the comment that digital camera are better photos. Problem is some of us can't take a picture if our life depended on it. Have not been able to do this for 40+ years so why would I think I could do it now. Scanners are easier.

Need a good scanner.

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