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Umax Astra 2100U Flatbed USB Scanner (PC/Mac)

Umax Astra 2100U Flatbed USB Scanner (PC/Mac)

List Price: $77.84
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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Umax = not worth it for Xp users
Review: As a customer of this product, I would give Umax a 1 star. Why? Mainly because they are wanting more money if you dont have an older operating system. I am running XP like most other computers are, and had this scanner for a year on a 98 machine. I tried installing the software which is incompatible with XP, to make things worse, I go to the Umax website, and they do not have ANY updated software for free. But at a cost of 15 dollars. 15 dollars for scanner software that should be supported by XP, its a joke. I already paid for the scanner, and they expect me to fork another 15 dollars? No free software for those with newer operating systems. Every other computer product I have bought has free downloadable software for XP users, and not a single dollar was charged out of my account. I have already told this to everyone I know, we will not be buying any Umax products, and I suggest that you dont either.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Umax 2100u and Windows XP
Review: I bought one of these about 3 years ago and it has given good service, running on Windows 98.

I now have windows XP and as other reviews have said, the software provided with the product does not work at all with XP. However, the critisism in some of the reviews above is not up to date. I have loaded updated software from the Umax site, which was free and works fine with XP. In fact it appears identical in use with the software initially provided.

I still think this is a good scanner, although it is a bit dated and bulky by today's standards.

RA

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: No good if running windows95b as stated on box
Review: I given this product for Christmas to run on my gateway 2000 2oomhz PC running windows 95b. I was unable to get the scanner operational I contact both Umax and Gateway. Umax was of no help and told me to change my IRQ for my USB port. Then I contact Gateway and was told that the USB port is working and that the Software for this product is the problem. Umax stated unless I change the IRQ they will not help me. Right now I am going to return the item and purchase a different scanner. I will never purchase another Umax product again their support stink and are complete incorrect.I was force to give 1 star by amazon it should be zero star. This product is the pits for windows 95b.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Surprisingly good!
Review: I got the Astra 2100U scanner free when I bought my new Dell computer a few months ago, and I have to say I wasn't expecting too much (you get what you pay for, usually!). But I have to say I have been pleasantly surprised! So far, I have mainly used the Astra 2100U scanner to scan dozens of color photos, and -- at least along with my Adobe PhotoDeluxe Home Edition software -- it has worked out very well. Plus, it was very easy to set up (with the slight glitch that one of my dogs took several bites out of a key setup CD, forcing me to order a replacement, which took several weeks. Bad dog!!). So, keep the setup CDs away from your dogs, and enjoy the Astra 2100U scanner -- especially if you get it for free like I did!!

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Love the 2100U, but NOT with WindowsME!
Review: I have had a 2100U for a year now and would have given it a 5 star rating. When I changed to Windows ME, the scanner would still work, but an entirely different menu came up that was much less limited than the menue that worked fine on Windows98. UMAX has not been much help, but stated that the 2100U was compatible with updated software. I spent 2 hours downloading the software, but found NO improvement. Any one know how I can get the Advanced Menu to work with WindowsME?

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Don't Bother with UMAX
Review: I have used UMAX scanners since 1996 (the 1220S and 2100U) and had fairly good luck with them until recently. UMAX customer support has always been pretty much non-existent but their scanners had a good following so one could always find a solution to their screwy driver problems if one looked around on the web. With the advent of Windows XP however, you might as well throw your UMAX gear away. Their parallel port scanners are not supported at all and the SCSI and USB scanners are supported only if you buy the new drivers at a cost of [money amount]. What is worse is that the XP drivers that they sell you don't work at all. Don't get sucked in!! UMAX is trying to rip you off by selling you driver software that won't install and they do not provide any useful support once you paid the money.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Don't Bother with UMAX
Review: I have used UMAX scanners since 1996 (the 1220S and 2100U) and had fairly good luck with them until recently. UMAX customer support has always been pretty much non-existent but their scanners had a good following so one could always find a solution to their screwy driver problems if one looked around on the web. With the advent of Windows XP however, you might as well throw your UMAX gear away. Their parallel port scanners are not supported at all and the SCSI and USB scanners are supported only if you buy the new drivers at a cost of [money amount]. What is worse is that the XP drivers that they sell you don't work at all. Don't get sucked in!! UMAX is trying to rip you off by selling you driver software that won't install and they do not provide any useful support once you paid the money.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Very Good Scanner for the money.
Review: I have used/installed many scanners and this UMAX 2100U was one of the easiest to setup and get running. I installed the scanner software on a 500 MHZ Pentium PC and have not had a problem. One recommendation I would make, however, is that if you have any other scanner software on your system, uninstall it first before you install the UMAX software. The non UMAX software will hang up your system when your PC attempts to access the UMAX software.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Better then expected !
Review: I purchased the Astra 2100U ,mostly because the price point for a 32 bit scanner was hard to beat. A little nervous on how it would perform ,however I was pleasantly surprised. I ended up removing all of the software bundled with this product except the VistScan software and the Adobe PhotoShop Home Edition 3.0. I like the ease of use on the copy utility, and use it often. FYI ,I have a P3 750 256M.B.SDRAM O/S WinMe , Iam using ver3.53U of the vistascan software, those having probs and are running WinMe or WinXP can download ver3.55 , I have'nt had any probe so Iam sticking with the originial ver off the installation CD ! If like me you dont use a scanner often,and cant justify spending alot on one ,this is the way to go ! When I frist recieved the scanner I noticed some smugges on the under side of the glass, UMAX support replied quickly to my concerns about this and supplied directions for opening up the case and cleaning the glass top and bottom. I also was concerned because I accidently had the scanner light on all night ,they said if the bulb was to burn out they would replace it!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Good but not the best
Review: I purchused it because it's very nice features, 36bit, up to 9600dpi, one touch scan, etc, at affordable price. However, the VistaScan software is a very bad program. It kept lock up the system or gives weird errors and I can't give go up higher than 1800dpi. I like the scanner, but I really wish UMAX could fix VistaScan's problems.


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