#HP3C
Terry,
I have heard from more than one person about problems with the HP3C scanner.
Here are a couple of quotes from others (on the HP Forum), take them for what
its worth. My choice would be a HPIIcx at a reduced price if you could find
one. I have a HPIIcx with the transparency adapter (its great for 2×2 images
and larger) and have no problems using it for my 3DS work, if I need hi-res
scans I send them out.
>>PROS
I, too, have a IICx, not a 3C, at least not yet, but, yes, the 3C does do a
better job in a number of areas. It can choose the best 24 out of 30 bits in a
color scan, and scans at 600X600 dpi true versus 400X400 dpi true with the IIC.
It's also about twice as fast. It can also choose the best 256 grays on a
grayscale scan out of a 1024 grays palette; the IICx chooses the best 212 or so
out of a 256 gray palette.
>>CONS
I'm now using my third ScanJet 3C in just the last month. After 29 days of
use, the first unit became unbalanced, leaving a dark shadow down the right
third of each scanned image. HP said get a new one. The second unit had a
mechanical problem with the rubber pulley; a metal spring on the pulley
apparently sprung from its holder, getting hung up on a metal turnstile. Again,
HP said get a new one. Not one scan from the replacement scanner before it too
went back to CompUSA for another new scanner. No problem from CompUSA, just
three hours of travel, inconvenience, and lost wages for me.
Word to the wise, if your 3C does develop a problem within the first 30 days,
get a new replacement from the store where you purchased it. HP will offer to
FEDEX you a replacement in one day, but the replacement is a "reconditioned"
unit<<
-Mike