OMG! CanoScan 1200S for $100 w/BFL rebate

[Floyd]

All right, since my last attempt at a hot deal failed miserably :Q, I'll try to do better this time.

I was just checking out Computers4Sure's daily deals and they have the Canon FB 1200S (1200x1200dpi) SCSI scanner discounted from $269 to $130. The lowest price given on Pricewatch is $265 plus shipping! It comes with an Adaptec SCSI card and external high density 50-pin cable to boot! I quickly snapped one up...I just hope the qty in stock is correct.

In the interest of completeness, the scanner uses a dual-pass procedure to achieve 1200dpi resolution with a 600dpi optical array. However, don't mistake this for a sub-par scanner...all the reviews I've seen indicate remarkable image quality.

To get the BrandsForLess 30 rebate, go to their home page at http://www.brandsforless.com and click on the link to Computers4Sure. Then copy and paste the direct URL to the scanner into your browser: http://www.computers4sure.com/product.asp?productID=65104 When you've finished ordering, go back to the BrandsForLess home page and submit the individual forms for $30 off $100 and free shipping.

BTW, here's the snippet from C4S's item page:

• Get amazing resolution at an unbelievable price with the Canon CanoScan FB 1200S flatbed scanner!
• True 1200x1200dpi resolution *9600x9600dpi enhanced resolution
• Scan up to 8.5"x11.7" documents
• Includes ScanGear for Windows 95/98/NT 4.0, Canon Plug-in module CS-S for Mac, Adobe Photoshop 5.0 LE and TextBridge Plus OCR software
• Dual-platform SCSI interface
• Includes Adaptec SCSI card & cable
• 1-year SelectExchange Manufacturer's Warranty

Enjoy!
Floyd

 

[Floyd]

Err...wait a minute. I just located it at Onvia for $134. This doesn't make sense, everywhere else (10+ vendors) has it listed for around $270. What's the catch? I know there are optional add-ons available such as a document feeder and transparency adapter, but none of the higher priced units list them as included. ?????

 

[IBhacknU]

you forget... if you find the bunny, that scanner will cost you NOTHING!

really, keep looking. They told me it's still there.

 

[schizoid]

What type of SCSI card does this come with? Does it have external and internal connections? PCI?

Thanks.

 

[Floyd]

I couldn't find details on the SCSI card, only that it is SCSI-2 made by Adaptec. It's only required to interface to the scanner, so it's going to be an entry-level SCSI card...neither ultra-fast transfer rates nor bootable onboard BIOS are needed in this application. Since the card is specified as dual-platform (PC & Mac), I would assume it is PCI bus.

Zdnet has a review of it here: http://www.zdnet.com/pcmag/stories/reviews/0,6755,410407,00.html

and the manufacturer's product page: http://www.ccsi.canon.com/gocsprod.shtml?/canoscan/products/fb1200s/index.html

Come on guys, give us some feedback on this deal! :Q

Best regards,
Floyd

 

[randypj]

Floyd--NUTS...you never can leave well enough alone, eh? Like I "need" a SCSI scanner? Some coffee and I'll see what I can find tonite.
--Randy

 

[Floyd]

Haha Randy, just trying to scrape together a good deal. Thanks for kicking the thread back up, it's good to know there's a pulse out there <pause...crickets chirping>.

I'm currently using a Umax 2100U (USB), and it's too slow for my tastes. My previous parallel port scanner was twice as fast. Image quality and color saturation are rather good...if you don't mind the wait. I'm trying to transition my peripherals to SCSI where possible and this looks like a grand opportunity to upgrade the scanner while also getting better resolution and speed...for no more money than a typical cheapo model.

Hmm, now that you mention it, think I'll go grind some beans myself

Best regards,
Floyd

 

[randypj]

Well Floyd,
I can't really see a downside to this, except, the jury review panel found it mediocre in gray scale, and, I believe that it probably comes with an Adaptec AVA-2902E PCI card. Many of the SCSI's did. If so, I think it is 10Mbps??. And, it appears that it has 25 pin connector:

>>>NOTE: THIS SCANNER IS EQUIPPED WITH BOTH A HALF-PITCH 50-PIN AND
A D-SUB 25-PIN CONNECTOR (PORT). THE SUPPLIED SCSI INTERFACE CABLE
HAS A HALF-PITCH 50-PIN CONNECTOR ON ONE END AND A D-SUB 25-PIN
CONNECTOR ON THE OTHER END. (TERMINATION PROVIDED BY JUMP-SWITCH ON
REAR OF SCANNER)<<<

So, tell me, can I run this off my 50 pin? I don't know what half-pitch is.

You're correct, the price does seem way down there for SCSI. I imagine SCSI is feeling the USB squeeze. I guess the software is pretty good, and I did see somewhere in my wanderings that this adapter and the scanner have drivers for 9x, NT, and W2K....at least for twain. I think the drivers are even imbedded in W2K, but could be wrong.

Let me know what you do. I still don't know what I'll do. Gotta sleep.
--Randy

 

[Floyd]

Randy, you're probably right about the card model number...in which case your figure of 10MB/sec (SCSI-2) would be correct. As for me, I have no use for the card, but it's a decent &quot;freebie&quot; for someone who doesn't already have a host adapter. Guess I'll throw it in the junk box for a spare system somewhere down the road.

With regard to the comments on grayscale scans, I suppose that should be considered based on one's specific usage. Virtually everything I do is color so I don't really have a need for grayscale. I've looked at three or four reviews which gave it really high marks for color scans, and even praised it in terms of value when the street price was around $350.

So, tell me, can I run this off my 50 pin? I don't know what half-pitch is.

Yes, most certainly it will work with your 50 pin SCSI card. Each progressive SCSI protocol is backward compatible, so it's never a problem running a low speed device on a high speed adapter.

Half-pitch refers to what we would otherwise call a high density 50 pin connector...same as the Adaptec 2930C's external connector for example. Basically it's just a miniaturized version of a Centronics 50, presumably created to make it easier to stack two receptacles vertically on a half-height 5¼&quot; device.

I'm pretty sure you can even use the included cable. It will just be turned around from how it would be used with the bundled SCSI card. Loop the high density end off of your existing SCSI device and plug the DB-25 end into the scanner. The scanner will probably be the last device on the chain anyway based on the typical layout.

As far as USB putting a squeeze on SCSI, I'm not sure about that. They're two very different interfaces on several levels...transfer rate, portability/hot-plugging, price, and target clientele. Any correlation is probably limited to second-order effects, i.e. what happens when any market gets watered down with more and more products.

Let me know what you do.

Hehe, mine's on the way I'm not sure this deal qualifies as the type you should take advantage of just to have it (example, the two Logitech mice on my desk), but IMHO it looks really good if you've even been considering getting a new scanner.

Best regards,
Floyd

 

[Banjo]

I guess I could connect this to my Adaptec 2940UW, but I'd probably need a 50-68pin adapter. Right? Anyone know where I can get one cheap?

BTW, I just saw that scanner on sale a CompUSA for $299, so this would be a good deal. Only thing, the review above favors the Epson 636U USB scanner for excellent speed and quality scans.

I'm leaning toward USB for the ease of set-up. Does anyone have any personal experience or more reviews of the speed of the Canon FB 1200S?

Thanks in advance.
Banjo

 

[HaVoC]

Great! I just got in on this deal now. Was looking for a good quality scanner and this one looks to fit the bill. I have an all-SCSI system so it will fit in nicely. Thanks alot Floyd!

The $30 off a c-note expired but I was able to use a $20 off a C-note which expires a week from Monday. There were 50 scanners left in stock as well. I'm surprised this deal has not generated more interest. Perhaps the SCSI interface is holding back a lot of people, but it comes with a card. Anyhow, I'll sell the card that comes with it or give it to my brother's comp.

Will keep the thread updated.

 

[Aznbruin]

Floyd Thanks for the scanner. This was an incredible buy and I am one step closer to producing an all scsi system.

This far outdoes my Canon 630U. Long live scsi

 

[Floyd]

Wow! I'm glad you guys were able to take advantage of it...I checked back soon after I bought mine and they were sold out. Based on the pricing I assumed they wouldn't be getting any more. Checked just now and they're showing 163 in stock. If I hadn't spent so much money on my new place I'd probably get another...eh, gotta draw the line somewhere.

Having used it for a few weeks now, I must say it does a very fine job. Scans are fast and images are remarkably high quality. I don't know if it's the optical array or the color profile (or both), but scanned colors are among the truest to the source I've seen.

>I'm surprised this deal has not generated more interest.

Me too.

Best regards,
Floyd

[edit] Dreaded grammar [/edit]

 

[HaVoC]

That's great to hear about the color accuracy. I'm a bit suspicious of these sketchy $75 USB scanners as far as color quality is concerned.

Of course, I will probably end up using the thing mostly for scanning B&amp;W for faxes and document attachments. But it's nice to know I can scan in photos with high image fidelity.

^Bump...^