need a fast scanner under $300

what is a fast scanner that is under $300? i don't care if it's a dedicated flatbed scanner, a full size copier machine, or multifunction printer, as long as it scans a color document at 300 dpi with no other options turned in around 5 secs or less, then i am good with it. i currently have the canoscan lide 1000, and it is so slow..... i am scan huge books and it took me 16 hrs to scan 900 pages hahaha. i tried checking online for scanners, but they don't really post the speed, and when they post speeds, they say like 2400dpi negative flim in 18 seconds which is pointless b/c i do not scan films nor do i anything at that high res, so i can't tell if that is fast or slow for my needs. also i watched and read reviews and they also don't give anything important or show the speed of the scanner in real time. please help me out in deciding! i was thinking of getting the canoscan 8800f but i heard it scans color documents at 300 dpi in 8 secs, which is still slow for my needs!

(p.s, do not tell me to scan books using cameras)

 

fast, good, cheap.

Pick two of the three.

Are you scanning books with the intention of violating the copyrights of the publisher and authors?

 

The National Archive is using cameras to scan books - why not you?

1/250th of a second per page.

And, I saw you didn't want to be told to use a camera - but if you want speed, then this is what you'll be using... eventually.

 

fast and cheap. that's all i need. quality foe the scans don't have to be great. as long as i can read it. speed is my main concern.

 

I'm going to say +1 for a camera and throw in a with a tripod and a remote. If you're looking for the book to be flat against something, which would be my main concern with using a camera vs a scanner, I'd get a thick piece of glass to weigh it down and not use flash (to eliminate glare). Then just flip the page, weigh it down, click the button. Repeat every second or so, 900 pages would be 15-30 minutes.

Alternatively, invest in a glass table with an open area you're looking for instead of a glass pane, place the book on top, and then just point the camera upwards from the floor. You get furniture + a camera out of the ordeal.

 

i have my reasons why i don't want/can't use cameras. besides if i wanted to use cameras and know more about them, i would have made a thread about it. this thread is about SCANNERS, as mentioned in the post. please stay on topic


i am trying to look for a fast scanner under $300

 

Well, what does looking for a scanner have to do with this notebook forum, then, if you're also unwilling to consider alternatives?

Since you know the best way to proceed already, what can we possibly offer you?

I suggest you use google. That is all anybody here can do.

 

How can you just give up like this, tiller? This is NBR where we can find a solution to everything. If the OP doesn't want our first suggestions, we can give him more options. Watch and learn:


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...ok you're right.

@OP: scanner - Google Product Search

That's about all I can do.

 

I thought we had found the best solution for less than a third of the cost - but what do I know?

 

There are plenty of plans on the 'net on how to build a DIY book-scanner using a pair of inexpensive cameras and a really nifty open source software package.

Of course, that would require the OP to open his mind a bit to alternatives. And to also do some searching.