Microtek ScanMaker 9800XL Flatbed Scanner

Pros: Great for large format scans
Cons: Poor durability

We have purchased 2 of these scanners for use in our office. Both have failed within one year of purchase. We have had both replaced under extended warranties but with this third failure we are looking somewhere else. This not acceptable for office grade equipment. We don't do a lot of scanning so the equipment failure is puzzling. Rather than replace the latest failure they are simply buying out our contract. Go figure.

Pros: Large scanning bed, fast operation
Cons: Nothing

Microtek makes one of the only large format scanners on the market today, which concerned me as I don't like to see a monopoly as then product quality won't be job #1. I was surprised. It has SCSI, Firewire and USB connections on the back which make it easy to setup and install. Scanner quality is excellent as we scan dental xrays and then send them to insurance companies, who are always complaining about fuzziness of the scans. Needless to say we have had no difficulties with this Microtek and would probably buy another one in the future!

Pros: quality of scans; price
Cons: the scan wizard is a bit clunky looking

I just received my Scanmaker 9800xl and so far I think it's a great scanner. I need to scan record album covers and this scanner makes that task relatively easy. I am not used to the Microtek scan wizard; previously, I used Epson's scanners and I think their Twain drivers are a bit more polished. But it may just be that I am not used to using the 9800xl yet. It is a bit more noisy than previous scanners, but it is not bothersome. The quality of the scans is excellent; the colors are very true and the scans slip easily into Photoshop for tweaking.

For the money, this is a great deal for a large format scanner.

Pros: Approx. 12" x 18" scanning area
Cons: Everything else.

Microtek provides NO support on this product in the US. Even if you have the skills to handle your own maintenance, they will not sell you parts. Less than 4 years later, I'm stuck with a $1400 doorstop now that it no longer starts up.

Microtek's solution? They offered me a new one at a discounted price of just under $1000.