The Canon CanoScan LIDE 60 is one of my most recent buys. It has a very hard act to follow in my study - an HP Scanjet 6300 which I reviewed some time ago.
Buying =====
The HP decided to die on me, just when I needed it in connection with a funeral! I needed to scan a photo for an order of service in full colour, and the HP was lifeless.
A quick trip to PCW was my only hope, and faced me with a dilemma. Would I go top of the range - my normal approach - or get by with something cheapish.
The latter was the option which led me to the Canon. At under £50 it seemed to offer all I really needed, and did the job perfectly once I got it home.
Appearances. =========
This is a wonderfully light, slim model - and sits on its edge on the desktop if need be. 26 cms by 38 cms by 4 cms deep is all the room it takes, and it weighs in under 2kgs.
It's not particularly pretty - just in case you try to ruin my reputation by suggesting I have gone for a light, slim and pretty model! Rather it is a rather common grey and silver mix, with the Canon logo on the front and the LIDE sticker in one corner.
It comes with a little stand so that you can sit it on its long edge, which is a great space-saving device.
Set-up =====
The machine is simplicity to set up. It comes with a USB cable and a Setup utility on CD-ROM. Instructions are on a large format sheet and everything you are to do has been pictured for you. You install the software, plug in the cable, unlock the scanner, and away you go.
Nice Touches ==========
The buttons on the front allow you to copy on to a printer; scan into Arc-Soft PhotoStudo, or attach a scan to an email. The more unusual fourth button, allows the image to be saved automatically as a pdf file. If you are scanning something which must not ne altererd - your tax form, for instance, this is the way to go.
The scanner has no power supply plug to be plugged into a nearby extension socket. This one draws its power off of the computer through the USB interface cable. That is neat and very useful, especially since scanners are not the kind of machine that get used every five minutes.!
Limitations ======== My old HP Scanjet had a device for copying transparencies. Many of the more expensive scanners, today, have even more ingenious ways of doing the same. This scanner has none. That means that when I retire and get around to transferring thousands of 35mm slides on to CD or DVD, I will have to get another scanner.!
The scanner will work with USB1 but its preference is USB2 and I guess there will be a much slower response if using USB1.
Results =====
The scanner works well, with good resolution and nice images whether using the button process or scanning from within a programme like Word.
It takes any size up to A4, though it was set up slightly differently from the HP in terms of where you put the object on the scanning glass.
This is great technology for a very small price.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
I have a LiDE scanner and they are great, if a little slower than "regular" scanners. The biggest benefit in my eyes is that they take their power from the USB socket - I've got precious few electrical sockets left in the study! Sam.
tekin21 24.09.2005 21:22
I'm still using the scanner I got free with my pc about 5 years ago! Jane x
sallysmith1973 24.09.2005 15:35
I could do with a new scanner, and this would fit in my desk drawer - thanks so much for that, will go and have a nose at Canon's website! Cheers! Sal x
very helpful by (88%):
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