scanner recommendation

[batorok]

hi,
I'm in the market for a budget (ideally under 100$) solution to try to scan in lots of paper, I'm currently using a cheap visioneer usb model, and it does everything I want, but it's slow and the driver often takes a lot of tweaking to get things right for faxing or printing directly, and the paperport version it came with is version 7, really old.

I'd love an auto document feeder, but those are pretty pricey. What are some pretty quick scanners with decent up to date software and good drivers?
thanks

 

[Zepper]

For under $100 you aren't going to get a fast scanner - except perhaps on eBay, craigslist, etc. Fujitsu bin-type scanners are about as fast as it gets for under $500., but your source material has to be loose sheets. I was just looking on Epson's clearance site and for about twice the price you get 25% faster speed, but 4 times the longevity (100,000 vs 25,000 cycles MCBF)...

Remember that the lower the res and color depth you can scan at for acceptable results, the shorter the scan time.

.bh.

 

[batorok]

thanks,
I had read about the fujitsu model, but I really like the flexiblility of a flatbed, and I probably don't need one quite that fast, just better than a unit I got for 20$ two years ago.

I had also considered a laser all in one, compared to a flatbed with adf, price wise it's like a free laser printer.

 

[Zepper]

Yeah, I was looking at the Brother inkjet AIOs but they don't really mention a scan speed. Have to call them to find out. And their doc feeder only holds 10 sheets at a time. Microtek has a doc-feed scanner that lists for $199. and Staples once sticked it (in-stores only) at $160. It can do something like 8 b/w ppm or 5 color ppm.

.bh.