Visioneer Strobe XP 200 Pass-Through Scanner

This was a cheap scanner purchase. I needed it simply to be able to scan my homework to file since I take online courses and wanted to save on mailing my homework a few times a week. Installing is not an easy thing to do. It is very specific on the install. Do it out of order and it will not work. The instructions were not the correct ones, however the website might have better instructions. Since I am very savvy with computers, I was able to figure it out with a couple tries. The software that comes with it is tempermental and not very good. If you have Windows XP, the software for XP is good enough for text documents. For pictures, expect average to poor quality. The higher resolution you want the document to be scanned in equals longer time scanning. However, scan times are not very long. As far as portability, it's great. Small unit that you can pack up and easily move. For what I use it for, it is perfect. If you are wanting to use it for pictures, I suggest something else.

I decided to buy this item because I need a compact easy way to scan and fax while I am at work. I work outside and typically my office is my truck, and after a few reccomendations from friends I decided to buy it.

The software was easy to download off of their website, I could not use the drivers disk due to having Windows Vista, which was not included on the disk.

It pretty much plugs and plays, and is very easy to navigate through. You simply plug the scanner in your comouter through a USB port, and place what you want scanned between the arrows, and it automatically feeds through for you.

There are several options for what file type you want to save it as, the associated program to view your scan pops up as soon as it scans.

I had my daughter (21 months old) in my lap, and she was feeding business cards through the thing with ease.

For on the move scanning, this device is very good. Although the Strobe XP 300 can scan both sides of a sheet at the same time, it comes at a premium. So, for the money and the quality, the Strobe XP 200 is the right choice for great mobile scanning on a budget. Further, it works with Windows Vista and XP, as opposed to the Strobe XP 100 which only works with Windows XP (except for one particular model number which I have yet to find available).

I bought this as a back-up. I found a good price on Ebay and went for it.

I started using a xp 220 (new version) when my former boss gave them to us so we could scan and email signed test reports to the home office. I bought a xp 220 and now I scan utility bills, insurance reports, investment reports - anything I used to keep paper copies of. I also scan tests before returning them to students.

I like the small size, ease of use, and general good scan quality.

Portability is somewhat compromised by the necessity of a 120 volt plug-in. There are scanners that use the USB power. It takes a certain "knack" to get the paper to feed straight between the guides.

If you feed something taped together and leave glue on the sensor, you get a line on future scans. The clean-out sheet will not remove this. It is not difficult to disassemble the case and clean the surface with a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol.

There is a documented incompatibility with some USB drivers causing a 'scanning canceled by user' notice. I was plagued by this until I reloaded windows XP.

Overall I'm happy with it. But unless you get a great price, get the XP 220. It's still in production.

Compact, Simple but professional scan.
I used for home office and takes very small space.
It was quick and crisp scanning in black and white as well as bright color.