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General discussion

Epson Expression 836XL Scanner issue

Nov 20, 2009 1:45AM PST

My wife is a watercolor illustrator and I scan in her work for her on the A3 size 836XL scanner. Some of you may know that while standard size scanners are relatively cheap, the larger ones are not. A decent new A3 scanner starts in the $1500 range, something we can't swing right now. I tried a $160 Mustek A3 scanner, but the scan quality wasn't acceptable. I just lost a bid on a newer Epson on eBay, and rarely do I see good A3 scanners offered there.

The 836XL has given us years of great service but just the other day, a brown line started appearing in the scans, looking a bit like a smear. It is near the center of the scan bed and starts gradually in the middle of the scanner and increases in density and very slightly in width as it travels to the bottom. There is nothing on the glass that could be causing this and I see nothing else visually that would account for it. Can anyone explain this problem and does it mean the scanner is near the end of its life? Scans in the top half of the bed are still fine, but that is not enough usable space for me.

Thoughts anyone? I use Hamrick VueScan software and a Ratoc SCSI to Firewire adapter since my iMac doesn't have SCSI capability. But I've been using this set-up for a while so I don't think that would be a factor.

Thanks for any insights you may have.

Discussion is locked

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Isn't that 12 years old?
Nov 20, 2009 2:27AM PST

Given your story (which I've heard too similar over the years) you may want to scour ebay for the same model and offer not much for them.
Bob

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Not sure what it's birthday is...
Nov 20, 2009 3:14AM PST

...but yes, it is old. Like I said, is still used SCSI connectivity.
If I get a new one, I'd like to at least have USB.
Sorry, you are saying it sounds to you like the hardware is failing somehow?

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I bet it is.
Nov 20, 2009 4:28AM PST

But in the ebay world that thing should show up for 20 or so bucks and shipping. Since you like that model I'd start looking.

I took your story and as I've heard it before that's the cheap exit. As to new, you have to do the research and hope you find the price and performance you want.
Bob

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eBay
Nov 20, 2009 4:57AM PST

Well, in all honesty it was a purchase from eBay some 6 or 7 years back.
As I said, was outbid for a new version that retails for $1500 but sold for $450. I'll have to keep my eyes open, but I won't be getting another SCSI fitted one.
Thanks Bob.