Microtek ScanMaker X6 USB Flatbed Scanner

Amazon.com Review
True 600 x 1,200 dpi scanning doesn't have to come in an expensive package. The Microtek ScanMaker X6 offers several advanced technologies to give you great scans of text and color and black-and-white images, all at an inexpensive price.

We set up the ScanMaker X6 without documentation to guide us: we plugged in the AC power and connected the USB cable to our PC. Then, with the scanner turned off, we installed the drivers, optical character recognition (OCR) software, and ScanSuite software from the CD-ROM. We restarted Windows and turned on the scanner, and Windows automatically completed the installation. The entire setup process was flawless.

To test the scanner, we placed a color photo on the scanner bed, started a paint application, and selected Acquire from the application's File menu. The ScanMaker driver software started automatically, allowing us to select the scanning options. We chose 600 dpi with millions of colors and clicked the mouse for a preview scan. The preview scan took only 19 seconds. We used the ScanMaker software to crop the preview image and then clicked the mouse for a full scan. The full scan took 50 seconds and contained unwanted moiré patterns.

We repeated the scan, this time specifying a descreening option. After 90 seconds, we were treated to beautiful results: the moiré pattern had disappeared entirely. It was impossible to distinguish this scan from a scan of the same photograph made on a much more expensive professional scanner.

To test the OCR software, we started ScanSuite, clicked the OCR button, and set the options for 300 dpi and for output to Microsoft Word. We scanned a high-contrast, multicolored promotional flyer overlaid with black text. The scan took 25 seconds plus eight seconds for OCR processing and conversion to Word's .doc format. We opened the Word file to mixed results. The OCR software had mistaken every red bullet in the original as "4m" or "4o," and it had placed line breaks in unexpected places. However, the software had read all the text, and there were no outright typographical errors.

Given the ScanMaker's easy setup, good scans of photographs, and friendly ScanSuite software, we think this is an excellent scanner for the price.

Pros:

Easy to set up
Lightweight, durable design
Good software suite

Cons

Cumbersome to use with some applications
OCR software produces mixed results

Product Description:
The Microtek ScanMaker X6 features one-button control for faxing, scanning, copying, and other features. Simply push the button, conveniently located on the front of the scanner, to launch Microtek's ScanSuite software, which controls the scanner's functions. The ScanMaker X6 also includes Color Enhanced Optimization, a process that automatically sets color calibration to ensure true-to-life reproduction. And MicroTek's Zero Reflection Design Technology blocks out any improper lighting to preserve the quality of your scan.Microtek installed a parallel interface port on the ScanMaker X6 that provides simple installation. Simply connect the scanner to your computer using the cable and let your Windows 95 operating system configure it for you. Supports 600 X 1200 DPI Maximum Optical Resolution.

Microtek ScanMaker X6 USB Flatbed Scanner

Microtek ScanMaker X6 36-Bit USB with LightLid 35 Flatbed Scanner

Average customer rating:

Lightlid 35 is pathetic!
ScanMaker X6 is a great deal!

Microtek ScanMaker X6 36-Bit USB with LightLid 35 Flatbed Scanner

Manufacturer: Microtek
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

Flatbed | Scanners | Office Electronics | Categories | Electronics

Flatbed Scanners | Printers & Scanners | Camera & Photo | Categories | Electronics

Printers & Scanners | Used Photo & Camera | Specialty Stores | Camera & Photo Features | Electronics

Office Electronics | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics

Microtek | Brands | Electronics Features | Electronics
Accessories:

Belkin F3U134-10 USB Extension Cable (10-Feet)
Monster Cable MP AV600 Power Protector
Monster PC700 Computer PowerCenter¿ with Surge Protection
Canon 1029A004 Photo Paper Pro for BJC-8200 (8.5"x11", 15 Sheets )
Acoustic Research AR-8V 8-Outlet, 1284 Joule, $50,000 CEW Surge Protector

Product Features:

True 36-bit color, 12-bit grayscale
True 600 x 1,200 dpi; 9,600 dpi enhanced resolution
Includes LightLid 35, a bonus 35mm positive slide adapter
Zero-reflection technology
USB connectivity

ASIN: B00001T38W

Product Description

Affordable high-resolution 36-bit color scanning has arrived! Get sharp, brilliant photos or documents into your computer with Microtek's X6. An integrated " GO" button launches Scansuite software for simplified scan-to-file, fax and print utilities. Valuable image-editing software programs like the PhotoImpact give you creative control over your images, and installation is a snap.

Customer Reviews:

Lightlid 35 is pathetic!.......2007-03-05

I needed to scan many slides to make a DVD for my parent's anniversary. My brother gave me his Lightlid 35 and Microtek scanner (not X6). The Lightlid barely did what I needed it to. It's a piece of junk. However, it seemed I couldn't touch any other slide scanner for less than a few hundred dollars. Anyway, if you don't need perfect scans of slides, this Lightlid is for you. Beware, forget scanning slides that are too light or too dark, it can't read them.

ScanMaker X6 is a great deal!.......2000-02-18

I purchased my Microtek ScanMaker X6 and just recieved it. After taking about twenty minutes to install the USB version on my PowerBook, I installed the drivers, and it worked wonderfully. To get the best scans out of this machine, it requires that you use higher DPI. I found that using ScanWizard through Photoshop much more accurate than using the ScanMaker program. Overall, this product produces EXCELLENT images (And I'm a picky photographer). Great deal!

Microtek ScanMaker X6 USB Flatbed Scanner

Average customer rating:

A useful tool with not enough instructions
Good quality scanner, great pictures and easy to use...
No problems at all
Never got it to work; never got Microtek support to help me.
Good product - Bad technical support

Microtek ScanMaker X6 USB Flatbed Scanner

Manufacturer: Microtek
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

Flatbed | Scanners | Office Electronics | Categories | Electronics

Flatbed Scanners | Printers & Scanners | Camera & Photo | Categories | Electronics

Printers & Scanners | Used Photo & Camera | Specialty Stores | Camera & Photo Features | Electronics

Office Electronics | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics

Microtek | Brands | Electronics Features | Electronics

Electronics Available for International Shipping | Specialty Stores | Electronics Features | Electronics
Accessories:

Targus PAUH212U 7 Port USB 2.0 Hub
Targus PAUH217U 4 Port Ultra Mini USB 2.0 Hub
Belkin F3U134-10 USB Extension Cable (10-Feet)
Monster Cable MP AV600 Power Protector
Monster PC700 Computer PowerCenter¿ with Surge Protection

Product Features:

True 36-bit color, 12-bit grayscale
True 600 x 1,200 dpi, 9,600-dpi enhanced resolution
FlexScan lid for scanning 3-D objects
Zero-reflection technology
PC and Mac compatible

ASIN: B00000JFIW

Product Description

The Microtek ScanMaker X6 features one-button control for faxing, scanning, copying, and other features. Simply push the button, conveniently located on the front of the scanner, to launch Microtek's ScanSuite software, which controls the scanner's functions. The ScanMaker X6 also includes Color Enhanced Optimization, a process that automatically sets color calibration to ensure true-to-life reproduction. And MicroTek's Zero Reflection Design Technology blocks out any improper lighting to preserve the quality of your scan.Microtek installed a parallel interface port on the ScanMaker X6 that provides simple installation. Simply connect the scanner to your computer using the cable and let your Windows 95 operating system configure it for you. Supports 600 X 1200 DPI Maximum Optical Resolution.

Amazon.com Review

True 600 x 1,200 dpi scanning doesn't have to come in an expensive package. The Microtek ScanMaker X6 offers several advanced technologies to give you great scans of text and color and black-and-white images, all at an inexpensive price.

Given the ScanMaker's easy setup, good scans of photographs, and friendly ScanSuite software, we think this is an excellent scanner for the price.

Pros:

Easy to set up
Lightweight, durable design
Good software suite

Cons

Cumbersome to use with some applications
OCR software produces mixed results

Amazon.com Product Description

The new ScanMaker X6 provides affordable high-resolution 36-bit scanning in a compact, easy-to-use flatbed scanner. With a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, scanner installation is easy on Windows 98 or the new Apple iMac. An integrated "GO" button on the front of the scanner launches Microtek's own ScanSuite software for simplified faxing, copying, image scanning, or a host of other features.

Customer Reviews:

A useful tool with not enough instructions.......2000-03-10

The Microtek Scanmaker X6 is a pretty sharp looking unit and the installation of the unit and its software were straightforward. It will scan in documents and pictures up to 8.5 x 11 inches quickly and with extremely high resolution. Once the picture is taken, the included software will allow you to manipulate the colors, add effects etc. just like a computer graphics expert (well, kinda). The only real problem I had with it stemmed from it being my first scanner. The unit comes with very few instructions. A simple pamphlet on how to scan in nice photos would have been extremely useful. I was able to quickly discern how to adjust the resolution and scaling so that the pictures I was scanning didn't turn out to be several hundred MB large, but I am not sure everyone will realize how to do that. Even now, I am not sure whether it is better to scan in a picture with high resolution and then scale it down with the software or scan it in with a lower resololution and scale it down less. . .see the kind of confusion I am talking about? On the upside, I have been able to augment my website with tons of pictures and scan in some important documents. The software will even allow you to use your scanner as either a fax machine or a photocopier (provided you have a modem and printer, respectively). Generally speaking, I recommend the unit to people who at least have some clue about how to use computers well. The real amateurs will probably never figure it out.

Good quality scanner, great pictures and easy to use..........1999-12-09

I recently purchased this scanner despite being aware of the bad reviews at Amazon because so many other independent comparative reviews gave it top recommendations.

I found both the hardware and software very easy to install on my Dell laptop using Windows 98, and overall the scanner is well built with a tough aluminium case.

I could not fault the scanning quality, which produced a very clear, sharp image. However, I was a little disappointed in the fax software which, as far as I can tell, can only fax one scan in one call and seems to have to take two passes of each page. Also the word recognition omnipage bundle made too many mistakes (although it has to be said that if you are going to do a lot of OCR then you are probably advised to buy a specialist package such as Omnipage Pro V.9 rather than rely on bundled software that comes with any scanner).

Apart from these software limitations, the actual scanner is second to none. I think that Microtek have recently updated the installation software so that many of the problems encountered by other reviewers are now ironed out.

One annoying thing that I did notice was a faint ticking sound coming from the transformer when the scanner is switched off but still plugged in at the mains. Although this is, according to Microtek, perfectly normal, it can be annoying if you have sensitive hearing and work in a very quiet environment. Most people would never notice it.

In summary: the scanner output quality and build deserves 5 stars, whereas the bundled software, although easy to use, deserves 4 stars. Overall I will give it 4 stars because of the ticking sound which forces me to switch it on and off at the wall socket.

No problems at all.......1999-11-18

I got my scanner from Dell along with my computer. Itinstalled easily and has worked fine. I have had absolutely noexperience with scanners. Mine makes great scans in all modes but I normally use it in the scan to file mode. I have had no reason to try to reach the help lines or any thing like that. I like it.

Never got it to work; never got Microtek support to help me........1999-11-03

My previous scanner broke, so I bought the legal size version of this scanner that comes with USB and SCSI connections (V6-USL), and followed the installation instructions to the letter. The system recognized it fine, but when I tried to test/use the scanner, the machine would lock up. After re-installing several times, I took off from work early one day to call support and work through it with them. I called every five minutes for 3 whole hours, and they never once picked up the phone. I returned the scanner and bought a Visioneer instead, and it works fine.

I hear Microtek makes good scanners, but the combination of a non-functional device and a support group that doesn't answer the phone is very frustrating.

Good product - Bad technical support.......1999-10-24

I have a scanmaker X6 with scsi. I like the product, but my scansuite does not work properly and there is absolutely no troubleshooting information in the scansuite pdf file. I logged on to the website and found very little technical support there as well. The error message I receive is: "Unexpected error! Please quit scansuite then relaunch again. File: TW_Manager.cp. I believe it's probably a simple problem, as I can scan just fine through photoshop, but I will probably have to call long distance and possibly being put on hold for a long time to find the answer. I think Microtek could use a lot of improvement in their technical support on the internet.

Microtek ScanMaker X6 - Flatbed scanner - 600 dpi x 1200 dpi - USB

Average customer rating:

Microtek ScanMaker X6 - Flatbed scanner - 600 dpi x 1200 dpi - USB

Manufacturer: Microtek
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

Office Electronics | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics

Microtek | Brands | Electronics Features | Electronics
ASIN: B0009MAX24

Product Description

Electronics:

Electronics

Electronics