Scion Reviews

I purchased the Canon BJC-50 in August of 1998. It has take at least three hours to three days of effort to get it to work for each time that I have occasionally used it. I have used it mainly for color printing, and also for scanning with the optional scanning cartridge. It is particularly troublesome when switching from scan to print functions. It is quite noisy. I can not depend on it to function when I need it. It usually works eventually, but only after many trial and error attempts. Email technical support usually does not provide a quick solution. There have been no quick solutions. There have only been time consuming, painstaking encounters with this machine.

Excellent printer...everything that I thought it would be . Works wells all the time. Works wells with Windows XP and downloaded driver from Canon site.

Even though it said that the infrared wireless printing only works with Windows 95, I found that it worked just as well with Windows ME installed in my laptop.

Two great benefits of the BJ-50: 1. Infrared wireless printing (if your laptop supports it) 2. There is battery in the printer, so you don't have to connect it to an electrical outlet to print! Both features are VERY convenient.

Print quality is decent, but I can't comment on ink life since I have just begun to use the printer.

PROS: INEXPENSIVE SCANNER CONS: EVERYTHING ELSE. THE COLOR REPRODUCTION IS HORRIBLE. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS SCANNER TO ANYONE. SPEND THE EXTRA MONEY AND BUY THE EPSON OR THE CANON

I never scanned anything before I bought this scanner, but my first scan turned out great! I'm using my scanner with a B&W Macintosh G3, but it also works with Windows 98 if your computer has USB ports. It took me less than 30 minutes to set up the scanner and begin scanning. The Scanwise software that you use to make scans is laid out in such a straight forward manner that it takes very little practice to learn how to use it effectively. It features a guided mode that can guide you through the scanning process every time you scan or just until you feel comfortable doing it. The more I've "played around" with scanner, the better my scans have become. The latest versions of the Scanwise software are available on Agfa's web site, and they are easy to download and install.

I've had a couple of questions for Agfa about my scanner that I submitted to them via their web site. Their customer service reps have responded to my questions within 24-36 hours.

I've been using my scanner to make copies of old family photos for which there are no negatives and, with a little effort, I've been able to turn out some beautiful reproductions that have looked as good, if not better, than the originals. That process starts with a good scan of the original.

I'd buy this scanner again!

I've had mine for over a year and love it. It's inexpensive, takes *zero* experience and has given me absolutely no hassle whatsoever. All the software you need comes along and is easily installed, only one cord to plug in (gotta love that usb connection) and the photo quality has been far better than the price tag suggests. I've used its results on websites, both personally and professionally with great results. Unless you're a digital photographer or just enjoy blowing money, I see no reason not to buy this product.

My Agfa SnapScan e50 arrived swiftly from Amazon, much to my delight. So far, I have only used it for scanning a couple of photographs, and some OCR work, using software that I already own and like. I plan to try out the OCR that came with the scanner also, as it advertises to do more things. The software guide was an excellent help in getting the page to scan, OCR, and copy to a word processor all on it's own. The only problem I ran into was when I tried to go faster than the guide, and messed things up.

The other thing that made a great impression on me was that I got a call back from AGFA-US tech support very quickly before I decided to purchase this unit, and the man on the other end of the phone was very helpful and friendly. That cemented my decision to go with Agfa, despite there being only one review on it at Amazon. ...

I have found the scan quality to be superb. Most surprising was the resolution on 35mm negative scans. 8X10 prints of 35mm negative scans have the same (at least to my eyes and several others) resolution (and better shadow detail)as 8X10 prints from scans of 4X6 prints. This from a flatbed scanner was impressive. The Scanwise software has also worked very well. At first I thougt all of it's automation would be a problem, but it has actually been quite a help to myself and my daughter as it does appear to be very intelligent. I have not done much with the included software as I use MGI's Photosuite III.

This scanner may not be fastest around, but to have such quality for both reflective and transmissive scans is a real bargin. It will not handle anything larger than 35mm slides which for me is not an issue. This is a quality scanner and a great value, which is why I rated it at 5 stars.

I am an Italian surgeon of a teaching hospital and I use a computer at home mainly for educational subjects and research. I recently bought a e40 snap-scan for my Celeron 450Mhz-Windows Me-HP840C system, in order to substitute for a 5100 HP scanner who made an excellent work before a mechanical accident. Great my disappointement has been when I realized that I can not easily make a 1:1 fotocopy to send to the printer or a readible copy (of the true dimensions) of a document to send by e-mail or fax: when I try to scan and send to the printer (or fax) a document in its real dimensions, ScanWise scale it to nearly 80%, making it difficult to utilize. I rang up the Italian technical support (S.D.R. in Milan) and they told me that they were sorry but this behaviour was due to an hardware limitation (to avoid ink soil out of the paper........sic!!!) and nothing can be done. I am very upset for having select a more expensive scanner that can not make what I mainly need (a reliable and easy to use copier) and currently made very easily by any more cheap product: so I contacted AGFA Agfa tech support answered: February 05, 2001 02:50 PM EST - Agfa Support has provided a solution AGFA's MESSAGE: Dear Antonio,

Thank you for contacting AGFA Technical Support.

The problem is actually being created by your printer settings. There is a margin around the image known as the "unprintable" area. Your printer is set to place this margin around the image and will not print the image at 100%. To change that setting, you will have to contact the printer manufacturer.

Thanks, Greg Technical Support

So I contacted HP "DeskJet 840 Support" ANSWER:

From: "DeskJet 840 Support" > To: > Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2001 10:15 PM > Subject: Re: HP DeskJet 840C Printer e-mail support > > > Hi Randy, > > Thanks for your e-mail. You have two questions that I will try to > answer. One deals with scanner issues and the second is an issue with > startup. > There will be an area that is unprintable simply because the printer has > to have a slight border. For instance, the printer feed wheels must be > able to hold the paper when printing. > The second issue sounds like a software issue...>

MY REPLY: > Thanks for the answer > may be yuo are right, but nearly 2 centimeters all around the printed area, > sound to me a little bit excessive as ""non printable area", moreover this > happens only when sending a document from the scanner to the printer: > something is wrong between them and the result is that I have an inefficient > system to do what I very often need at home: a copier. > Waiting for a possible solution at the problem (apart from throw away > printer and scanner), a send you the e-mail received by Agfa on the subject. > Finally, untill one month ago I had a wonderful scanner HP 5p that have made > an excellent work (with no fuss about non printable area) with a Canon BJ200 > and in my clinic a similar 5P is still working with a Laserjet 4P and a > Epson 870: it is a lucky circumstance or is due to your splendid utility to > make copies?? (can I use it with the agfa?) > Thanks again > Antonio > Troubleshooting > FINALLY ITALIAN AGFA RAPPRESENTATIVE suggest me to wait because, perhaps, in future my issue will be solved by new releases of the scanner software but, it will be doubtfull to guess if it will function on MY scanner. Sorry for this disclaim, but I think it will help people to avoid mistakes. > Antonio Fresini MD Naples, Italy>

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I got this Snapscan e40 scanner at a very low price (110$CAD) because Agfa has release a newer version of this scanner (e42) and it was the last one available on stock. After a very bad experience with HP ScanJet 4200c, paied around 300$CAD (only 90 days warranty!?) and not getting any response from it most of the time. I sent it to HP for repair lately. They evaluated cost 400$CAD to fix it! Crazy ! Better change it... for another brand : Agfa Snapscan.

Snapscan is so easy to set and use compared to HP. I got a 1-year warranty, and a better speed, resolution and color-depth quality. Software bundled with Agfa scanner is also a lot better. What a deal! I'm enthousiastic about this product. Agfa support and web site is even better than HP's. I would recommand any Agfa scanner over HP's, anytime. I'm just starting using my Snapscan e40 but it runs very smoothly, no problem at all so far.

I have owned my SnapScan 1212u for almost a year and I am, as of this moment, searching for a different brand. The help available is nil. The scanner has big problems interfacing with the SCSI drivers...and I cannot even begin to explain why I have waited this long to replace it. But to give you an idea...every time I want to make a scan...I have to unplug the machine, replug in, and then hurry back and hit the scan button so that the software can detect the scanner while the scanner is 'gearing up' for it's run. This is not an occasional problem....it is every single time I use it. Sadly I thought this was normal until I was more informed. It does not install well. And adding it to newer machines is hell on earth. If I could...I would rate this -5 stars. Good luck to all...but I am unhappy with AGFA. Thanks!

Brief history: I wanted a scanner, USB was a big plus, the price was right, so I opted for the Agfa 1212U. The scanner arrived, and the install was a breeze. The few test scans I did looked nice, darn nice. The software was pretty good too. I was happy.

When I settled down to do some serious scans (family photo restorations) I found a terrible flaw in my scanner. The underside of the plastic scanbed had trash and debris on it. Because it was under the glass, I couldn't clean it off. Every scan showed these little "shadows" from the debris.

I attempted to call Agfa customer service. Mistake. Agfa does a marvelous job of directing you circles, not answering emails, and making relevant information hard to find. Their 'customer support' is a joke. Had I known the low regard Agfa has for their customers, I would have bought another brand.

In the end, I went through the retailer and another scanner is on the way. If Agfa had the tiniest respect for their customers, I would have rated the 1212U four or five stars. But, I cannot recommend this product, or any other Agfa product, very highly.

I don't really have any complaints about this scanner. So far, it has done everything that I have needed it to do. I did have a little bit of trouble installing it. (Be careful to follow the directions exactly.) Also, the user interface seems a little clumsy to me. But, all in all, I'm satisfied with my purchase.

I have had an Agfa SnapScan 1212U Color Scanner for just a little over six months, and it died for no apparent reason. I think the power switch on it stopped working. I noticed that the scanner did not shut off when I turned off my computer the last time I used it. My husband returned home from work yesterday and noticed that the scanner was making a lot of noise. He tried turning it off, but when he was unsuccessful, he unhooked the power supply. Now it's dead. I hear it making a slight noise when I power up my computer, but nothing happens. The Snapscan software doesn't even recognize that the scanner is powered on. I looked through my documentation and can find no information on a warranty, so I think I am stuck with a bum scanner. I didn't like it that much anyway. The software is hokey. Take my advice, and don't buy this scanner.

I have the AGFA 1212U, and it has worked very well until the other day when it will print only one size (small). The only way I can get a different size is to send it through the E-Mail back to my self. Could you give me a hint as to what I am doing wrong? I have tried every thing I know.

I've had mine for over a year now and one similar to it before. It's very easy to operate and the scans come out great. It's also very quite and did I mention cheap? Buy this scanner!!

I had alot of trouble with my scanner and will be returning it. Probally will look for another brand. The installation and set up was real easy. After that I couldnt get it to work. Every time I tried to scan I got a message that the scanner was not plugged in or turned on. It was on! each time I'd click on "OK" the message kept coming back on. I found if i rebooted i could scan with out getting that message. Had to reboot everytime I tried to scan. Once I got past this, I always get a message that said "an unsuspected error has occurred. the application is unable to recover and will close. Contact vendor if problem persists". Well Idid just that and am sending the scanner back.

I have had this scanner for over a year now. It produces very good images, but it takes forever to do it! One interesting thing I found was that the scanner came with the old, Foto Snap software, insted of new acclaimed ScanWise software, so I thought I would download the new software and make it better and faster. Was I wrong! It took twise as long to scan a picture!

I would recommend this scanner to first time buyers who do not need speed. Otherwise, look at USB scanners with more user friendly software.

I've had my scanner about 2 weeks and have found it very satisfactory for the uses I had intended. I was especially surprised at the good quality of the color copies, which I usually send as e-mails and don't copy (photos, magazine, clippings, etc.). The frustration some reviewers have felt is EASILY ELIMINATED if you BE SURE THE SCANNER IS TURNED ON WHEN YOU TURN ON THE COMPUTER! I had some fury with the computer saying the scanner wasn't turned on, too. A patient customer service person gave me the simple advice that has worked everytime - either leave the scanner on all the time OR just make sure that it's turned on and the 15 second test is complete before you turn on the computer. I love reading about other people's rage knowing there was such a SIMPLE solution!