bought a scsi scanner off Ebay

[QueBert]

I bid on a scanner on Ebay, not paying attention it's the SCSI not USB model. It's the Epson 1200S. I'm not real experinced with SCSI and was wondering about cards. Would an Adaptec 2940U be decent? Don't wanna spend too much, but would like something that would keep up with USB2. Had the USB model of this scanner and it was hella fast.

 

[LED]

The adaptec should be fine and the SCSI will outfast the USB Model

 

[akira34]

The SCSI interface should be faster than the USB1 model... Then again, a lot depends on what SCSI level the scanner actually supports and how well the SCSI card (and system) works with it. Since the scanner is about 5 years old now, I wouldn't trust it much (if at all). Unless you got it DIRT cheap, I wouldn't even bother with it. Especially since you can get brand new, USB2 scanners for cheap money these days. The new ones will scan at higher resolutions, faster, have support for all the current operating systems and more.

 

[EvilHomer]

yeah that adapter should be more than fine I happen to have a few of them PM me or e-mail me at ad790@yahoo.com

 

[Peter]

Adaptec's are insanely expensive, and the 2940U would be overkill anyway. Get a Tekram 315U for that scanner; $20 or so, new, retail boxed.

 

[QueBert]

I ended up getting an Adaptec off Ebay for 12 bucks shipped. I know the scanner is an older model. But it's still faster, and produces better scans then most brand new models. My 1200U would preview & scan a full 8x10 in like 20 seconds. Ebay has a 1200 Buy Now for 100 bucks. I got mine for 25 shipped. Would have no problem paying 100. This is one of the best scanners I've used

 

[akira34]

I have one of the Perfection 2450 Photo scanners at home. It can easily do a full scan in under 20 seconds at 300dpi or greater. I was able to scan in 4x6 prints in under 7 seconds each in full color, at 300 dpi (optical). I picked up my scanner in 2001 and it was the only scanner (at the time) with both FireWire and USB2 that was at a reasonable price. Every other scanner with FireWire was easily $800+ (more than twice what I paid for my Epson). With the 2450, I don't have to install ANY PCI cards to use it on any computer now or in the future. Also, the software to scan with has been updated to reflect the current operating systems. Even if you were to pick up the scanner that replaced the 2450 model (same interfaces) you'd be good for many years. With the one you just picked up off of gaybay, I'd be surprised if you can get very long out of it.

Printers and scanners are just two of the items I won't purchase used (especially off of ebay) since you never really know what you're getting until it arrives and you've tried to use it. For all you know, it could arrive DOA, or die a month later. OR the lamp might be on it's way out (reason for it getting sold) which will cost you to get it replaced (if you can even get the lamp).

 

[Zepper]

The Epson 1200 is pretty old - one of the earlier models sold here. But Epsons generally give good results - I like my 1260 PHOTO I got off eBay for $45. shipped NIB. I agree that you don't need anything like that Adaptec adapter for a scanner. Just make sure the external connector of the card matches your cable - adapters or new cables can be fairly expensive. Newegg has plenty adequate adapters for around $20. : like this Acard SCSI
. And you can get similar 8-bit cards for less on eBay. Hard to find one with anything less that a 50-pin high density external connector - don't know what your cable has on the computer end. The Tekram mentioned above is common on eBay and I love Tekram adapters - using one now myself.
.bh.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Tekram and ACard are both good "budget" alternatives to Adaptec's (expensive) SCSI controller-card lineup. You don't need a 2940U for a scanner though, a 2930U would do just fine, or Tekram as Zepper mentioned. (I've used all three myself, and honestly, sometimes I have less issues with the non-Adaptec host adaptors, which would seem to defy popular opinion, but there you have it.)

 

[Peter]

... with the caution that ACard's drivers don't work right with scanners. Some odd SCSI commands aren't correctly supported - I've seen it.

 

[QueBert]

ha I got the scanner in the mail today, turns out it isn't the SCSI model, it's the USB one. The auction clearly states "SCSI version!" Too bad I already ordered the scsi card, damn now I gotta find something SCSI to put in my box, any suggestions?

 

[EvilHomer]

Seagate Cheetah HD's are always fun

 

[akira34]

Which SCSI card did you get? If it's not at least an Ultra2Wide card, see about either returning it, or turn around and put it up for sale again.

As for Seagate Cheetah's... That's why I mentioned the level above... You'll want a minimum of 80MBps throughput/speed for those bad kitties... Especially if you get one/some of the Ultra160 or Ultra320 drives (you'll want matching speed cards). Otherwise, there's really not much of a point in going with them.

 

[Peter]

The fastest SCSI hard disks currently made are just scraping the 100 MB/s ceiling. When you're eyeing a 10k rpm drive, an U2W card (~75 MB/s limit) will do nicely, but an old UW or even slower card won't give you the true fun in SCSI speeds.

 

[QueBert]

the card is the 2940U, not exactly a fast card, but my intentions were to use it for a Scanner, not an HD. I think the specs are something like 20mb/s. would be good enough for a SCSI burner or something. I ended up paying 12 bucks for it (shipped) not worth it for me to try to re-sell. I'll keep it and try to find a use for it.