Mustek ScanExpress A3 USB Flatbed Scanner Save 17% off

• 300 x 600 dpi optical resolution, 9,600 dpi interpolated
• 48-bit color depth, 16-bit grayscale
• Hinged lid for complete book spreads, 2 letter-sized pages, or magazines
• Software bundle with Photoshop 5.0 LE and FineReader OCR
• USB 1.1 interface; PC compatible

First of all, you will need to figure out where you''re going to put this thing: it''s quite large. It measures 22" x 15". The hinged lid, though removable, requires over 2 feet of clearance above the surface that the scanner sits on.

The scanner works fine with my computer, but I confess that I have Windows 2000. Other reviewers are reporting problems with other operating systems. DO read them.

By calling the included software "El Crapamundo" and saying that "It really stinks", the previous reviewer is being much too nice. I don''t think that Amazon will allow the words that I really want to use.

You get two CD ROMs: One contains the drivers, and the other is scanner-compatible graphic software from Ulead. The driver CD ROM installs a software panel with VERY limited setting options. Page 7 of their owner''s booklet spells out the non-changeable default settings. They''re extremely restrictive. The Ulead CD ROM installs all kinds of extra crap that runs in the background and uses up computer resources.

Your best solution is to find software on the internet that will scan your documents while giving you a much wider range of options. I''m using Photocopier Pro by Nico Cuppen Software.

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As a professional designer in the scrapbooking industry I completely rely on the dependability and color quality of this scanner for my 12x12 pages. I have never had a problem in 3 years and only now need a new one. A great value for a scanner of this size and price! Some adjusting in the contrast/brightness, even saturation is needed but I would expect to do that with any scan. That''s part of the process unless you have $4-5,000 in extra cash lying around for the tip top line of scanners.

Read Best Reviews of Mustek ScanExpress A3 USB Flatbed Scanner Here

My needs are simple. I want a scanner with 11 x 17 capabilities to scan books, magazines, and other items for online auctions. From time to time, I also scan receipts, documents, newspaper clippings, etc. to convert to .pdf files for emailing or posting online. After researching the market for flat-bed scanners, I purchased the Mustek ScanExpress A3 USB scanner about four months ago. These days finding a flat-bed scanner (not intended for scanning photographs) is tough. Moreover, its nearest competitor with 11 x 17 capability (Microtek ScanMaker 9800XL) is about $1200!

I conneted the Mustek ScanExpress to my Dell Inspiron 9300 notebook (with Windows XP Professional) purchased in mid-2005. There were no compatibility or connectivity issues. I use UleadPhotoExpress (from the installation CD) to scan images onto my hard-drive. Then, I edit the images with JASC Paint Shop Pro_8. To date, I have been pleased with the quality of the scanned images and the ease of use of this Mustek scanner.

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You can''t ignore the large tabloid format for under $200. This is one great feature especially if you need to scan in rare pieces of printed music. The tabloid size is great for music and will allow you to archive the sheet music electronically.

Bad things:

1. Poor packaging. My first shipment arrived in pieces. The scanner ships in a flimsey box that does not protect it very well. When I opened it up on arrival, the glass scanner bed was in pieces. It''s very brittle and the glass breaks into powder so be careful.

2. Poor quality Control. The second shipment from Amazon arrived in one piece, however the cable that drives the scanner head was popped off and the scanner didn''t work.

3. Poor customer service. I tried contacting customer support serval times but got no response. I ended up taking the thing apart and fixing it myself (and it worked!). That''s the up side -the scanner is so simple, that you can probably fix any problem with it yourself (except, of course, if it involved a blown circut board).

4. El Crapamundo Software Interface. It really stinks and I mean REALLY stinks. Just like in the outhouse, if you stay in there long enough, you''ll get used to the stench. That''s the same thing with the software. If you get used to its weird behavior, you won''t notice it so much. It has a nasty memory leak in it so after you scan in about 25 pages, you''ll have to quit the software to realease the memory (the software will crap out on you and say that it can''t save the file).

The upside is that it has a "good enough" OCR software packaged with it. I used it once or twice on small stuff, but I wouldn''t let a large project hinge upon the performance of this scanner.

So if you need a big scanner once in a while, this is a great value (mine has already paid for itself several times over). If you are going to use it for an ongoing project or need the scanner (operable) in a short period of time, depending on your project, you might want to pay the extra $ to get a more versatile and reliable machine.

Save 17% off

Finally a great priced scanner for all us scrapbook artists that need a larger one for scanning our completed 12x12 pages.I love being able to scan pages into my computer instead of having to use a photo stitching program (which does not work very well).The color is not the best so I scan directly into my photosuite program to adjust for the correct colors.I plan to purchase another one for my daughter who also loves scrapbooking.Of all the companys out there who make scanners--only Mustek makes this size scanner at a reasonable price.I just wish they were not so hard to find.Hoping Amazon will start carrying it again.