Visioneer OneTouch 8600 Flatbed Scanner

I ordered this scanner to replace a similar model that just died. When I received this unit a giant serial was the first thing that fell out of the box. Not a good sign in 2016. Then I looked at the service manual, "shocker" it was made for Windows 95, 98. So I called Visioneer and asked them about using this scanner. The customer service rep after a brief laugh told me that this model is years past end of life status. She was surprised that I had a new one and wanted to know where I purchased it. She told me that there was absolutely no parts or customer service available for this unit.She recommended that I return the unit and that is what I did. Amazon was able to help me right away.

Would not reorder

IT'S GONE

The Visioneer 8600 proved difficult to install. I had The Visioneer 5300 and liked it very much but after installing the 8600 I wished I had tried the Epson 1200. First the system crashed and I rebooted everything seemed fine until I installed the MGI Photo Suite. It cause my program Second chance to crash and refuse to enter after rebooting. After I took of MGI Photo Suite it worked just fine. I am now downloading updates for both the 8600 driver and MGI Photo suite. I hope it corrects the problem. After scanning my first image I didn't notice any difference in scan quality over my 5300 Visioneer. However the 8600 was much faster probably 3 times as fast. Now if I can just get the rest of the software to work I can tell you how it all runs as a unit.

While considering replacing my 8600 Visioneer (which I purchased in 1999), I was surprised to see that this model is still available at Amazon.com. Two years ago, I purchased a Canon 8600f as a possible replacement. It sits on my desk, rarely used, and collects dust while my trusty Visioneer continues to crank out excellent scans after nearly 10 years of heavy and faithful service. I have upgraded the PaperPort software originally bundled with the unit (to version 9), and I have added several other software packages which utilize the Visioneer with nary a hiccup. I have also appreciated the functional task buttons conveniently placed along the side -- all of which work as programmed (something I cannot say for the Canon scanner, none of which have ever worked for me). Maybe, it's not really time for me to get another scanner ... especially as I am not planning to install Vista on either my desktop (a still perfectly functioning XP machine acquired in 2001) or my laptop. I feel like I am winning the war against Microsoft and all those other software and hardware producers who generate programs and equipment which compel users to expend thousands regularly for "upgrades" (usually buggy) which marginally benefit users ... if, at all (a dubious claim in most cases if my personal experience is any measure).UPDATE - 9/8/2015: STILL working faithfully (unfortunately, on my XP computers only)!!!UPDATE - 11/25/2016: My PC with XP installed crashed this past week, and my Windows 10 system would not recognize this device. Visioneer has declined to update their drivers for older scanners after XP. BUT, the good folks at VueScan have come to the rescue. They recently released a software program which allows nearly all old scanners to once again be utilized -- even including my dedicated Minolta slide and negative scanner. The Visioneer 8600 has also benefited. Which only proves how greedy many hardware manufacturers are when they refuse to update their software to compel consumers like myself to needlessly purchase new hardware when the older equipment is perfectly satisfactory. Thank you, VueScan.

Visioneer states that the custom button may be customized to scan to a destination application of your choice. I found no way to add to or change anything in the One Touch premade icon display list of destination applications. This was also true of the Paperport Deluxe software which was included. For example, when I attempted to add Microsoft Picture It, the message on the screen said that if my choice was on the list below, it was supported and I wouldn't need to type in the name. It was on the list. However, the program icon did not appear with the other icons on Paperport's main screen showing scan destinations, and, as with the One Touch software, I could find no way to add it. The booklet that came with the scanner wasn't helpful.The Textbridge OCR software was supposed to allow scanning into your word processor without the loss of tables or columns. The scans I tried lost both--in both MS Word 97 and MS Word 2000. When scanning to copy/print the tables & columns were retained.The 8600 showed no advantage over the 6200 model which my husband has (but costs more,)and what's more--the 6200 has a scan mode of 42 bits, while the 8600 has a 36 bit scan mode. Thus, I decided to return the 8600 model.

I purchased an 8600 Scanner for myself and then ordered one for my son's family (Bruce R. Conrad, Grafton MA)....was suppose to receive a rebate as I placed the order on the internet on the final date. The young man I spoke with assured me it would be OK and if I had trouble to keep sending letters. I wrote one letter to which I received no reply. The latest problem is the loss of the instruction book.....can't find an address to write to obtain one. I need it badly although I just read it is not much help. I can make copies via Twain but when I bring things onto WP 8.0 they are distorted.....sorry I did not do more research before purchasing these scanners....taught me a valuable lesson. I suppose it will be difficult to receive another instruction book too. If you can help in any way, I certainly would appreciate it. I am a senior citizen but this is my 5th computer so am capable of using a computer and have taught many other seniors in Florida to get on and use the E mail. Thank you for listening....feel better that I at least wrote a letter.