HP ScanJet 6350cxi Flatbed Scanner with Auto Document Feeder

Looking for a good basic scanner for home or small office use? The Hewlett-Packard ScanJet 6350Cxi professional scanner is a strong performer and is easy to set up, so you will be scanning in no time.

The ScanJet 6350Cxi is a solid basic scanner that more than adequately fills a useful range of needs. Setup and installation were quick, easy, and intuitive. The oversized quick installation poster was easy to read and simple to follow. If you want additional assistance, you will need to check the coach feature (part of the extensive online help system) or other online help, since the 6350Cxi doesn't include a printed user's guide. You can also use the internal coach to help scan your work after a quick but thorough tutorial. (It took us only 10 minutes to run through all the steps.)

In our tests, the scanner required a warm-up time of just under a minute and a half. After warm-up, we quickly reproduced flat images and slides using several different preset dpi settings. The scanner also has an automatic feeder for scanning multiple flat documents or images, which we found particularly useful. With the feeder attached, the scanner can handle up to five scans per minute. The slide adapter is a bit cumbersome, with too much leeway in the placement of the slide, but it produces vivid scans.

This is a fairly effortless scanner that can meet a wide range of needs. Whether paired with an ink-jet or laser printer, you will get crisp, clear scanned images. You can also be fax scans or attach them to an e-mail with the click of a button. --David Greenberger

Pros:

Fast, easy setup
Can handle a full range of originals

Cons:

Slide adapter is cumbersome

The ScanJet 6350cxi is a 36-bit color flatbed scanner that offers dual SCSI and USB (universal serial bus) connectivity. This unit has an exclusive feature from HP that allows you to scan photos, logos, line art, and text independently at optimal settings in a single step, yet it lets you preserve page format when you want to scan a whole document. The HP ScanJet 6350cxi is capable of scan speeds as fast as nine seconds, 1,200 dpi optical resolution, and virtually unlimited enhanced resolution up to 999,999 dpi. The unit features a 25-page automatic document feeder, which will accept documents as large as 8.5 by 11.7 inches.

Using this scanner's friendly interface, you can file, fax, copy, and e-mail documents by simply touching one of five front-panel buttons. The ScanJet 6350cxi streamlines scanning processes and eliminates all the intermediate steps that usually slow users down. HP Intelligent Scanning Technology automatically sends your scan to the selected application for immediate results and automatically selects the right file format, file size, and resolution for the application.

By using a LAN line, all members of your workgroup can share one scanner. You select whether you want to connect using standard USB (Windows 98 required) or SCSI connectivity.

The HP ScanJet 6350cxi features document management, image editing, and Internet faxing. The accompanying software bundle includes HP PrecisionScan Pro with integrated optical character recognition (OCR), HP PrecisionScan LAN for network sharing, HP ScanJet copy utility, Caere PageKeeper Standard 3.0 document management, Adobe PhotoDeluxe Business Edition 1.1 image editor, WebShop Designer 5.0 e-commerce and Web site creation, and Hemera NetGraphics Optimizer2.

This scanner also comes with a 35mm slide adapter, a transparency adapter, and a one-year warranty on hardware.

1 It can be serviced & works for me!
HP doesn't want you inside the scanner changing bulbs and cleaning the underside of the glass - too difficult for the average user and you can damage beyond repair. Service is available through HP by contacting the HP Customer Care Center at 1-800-474-6836 But smoke, etc. is outside the focal range and does not affect the scan (I know, I smoke and that is mainly where it comes from)

RE bulb problems, I found my bulb was fine. If anythng goes wrong reset the scanner. Just power everything down, disconect the cables and power for 30 seconds. power up scanner (usb or scsi not conected) repeat 3 times, then a forth time with everything conected. Start up your computer and it all works. you may also have to check that your hpscnmgr.dll and hpscnmgr.hlp files are still in your wwindows system32 directory - if not, reload your software (available on the HP website)

I also had the paper feed problem, HP told me how to clear and clean it. Bottom line was HP service answered my email within an hour (as they usually do) and continued to work me through any problems. Those problems didn't occur until after almost 3 years .. as these things go that is pretty impressive.

BUT - I would like to have a larger flatbed (legal documents, etc.) and sugest that to anyone buying a scanner

2 Troublesome, unreliable and unrepairable.
No problem with USB on Win98, Win98SE or Win2K. Software crashes regularly, cannot be uninstalled, won't work with Officejet 1150cse on same computer. Scanner plate glass came dirty on underside, not cleanable. HP support says this won't affect images but it does. Document feeder only worked once. Scan quality good except for dirty spots on scanner plate glass (top edge). Lamp failed after approximately 10 hours of use and is not replaceable (only used every few months). HP support is not helpful, web site difficult and little information on this model. Requires too much time to get working for busy office that only needs occasional scan. Other HP products have been excellent but very disappointed with this one.

3 If you need to scan multi-page documents, get this scanner!
If you're like me, you probably have a number of handwritten and typed notes that you want to scan into your computer (along with a chaotic shoebox of pictures). This scanner has saved me so much time and it will save you time, also. Whereas every other scanner forces you to attend to the scanner to change EACH page, this scanner takes a bunch of pages and scans them in at once. Presto!

Then, using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software, you can turn those typed notes into Microsoft Word documents you can edit yourself.

Need to get your documents scanned into your computer? Get this scanner!

4 Awesome Scanner
I've gone through 3 scanners- mostly because the resolution has gotten better over time. I added this scanner because of the page autofeed. This one feature alone is worth the price of the scanner. If you scan large documents, you push a button, and can walk away. You come back and the scanner has saved the pages to the hard drive! Its amazing. The scan quality is also superb.

5 Fulfills its mission in workmanlike fashion
I happily used my HP Scanjet 4c SCSI scanner for years, but it was not going to be Win-2000 compatible without a cash infusion, and I needed a document feeder anyway. It would be more cost-effective to upgrade to a new scanner. Once again, I turned to HP, and they have not disappointed--though I have a few minor nits to pick.

The good news: setup and configuration were child's play under my Windows 2000 system--it's truly plug-and-play all the way. The scanner is solid and robust, and churns out the scans reliably. The ADF works quite well and is a major time-and-effort saver, especially for those like me who aren't able to locate the scanner to be within reach while seated at one's computer. The image quality is fine and the software included, Precision Scan 2.0, does its job.

The not-as-good-but-still-ok news: the software is not the easiest to use; it's a bit confusing when scanning either from the TWAIN applet or from within another application, having to switch back and forth to get the preliminary scan, crop it, and then obtain the "final" scan. More visible buttons and fewer menus to navigate would be the ticket here. Similarly, when you try to use the buttons on the front of the scanner to scan-to email, fax, print, file, etc, you have to navigate too many menus to get the job done. The slide adapter is so kludgy and imprecise as to be nearly useless, so if you are going to scan a bunch of slides there is a separate transparency adapter you will need lest you pull out your hair.

And the scanning platen looked like my 18 month-old's eating surface. There was dust and debris all over both sides of the glass, plainly visible in the glow of the scanning lamp. How much effect this has on the quality of one's scans I do not know, but HP should do a better job on this to be sure.

These objections do not detract from the basic function of the unit, making excellent quality scans, but there is room for improvement, hence the 4 star rating.

6 Awesome Scanner!
If you're looking for a scanner with excellent quality and easeof setup, this is the scanner for you!

The scanner arrived inperfect condition. There were not that many parts to put together which is another good thing. I followed the chart they send you on how to setup the scanner. First, you install the software. HP put together a wizard to install all the different software that comes with the 6350cxi. The installation was easy and then it tells you how to setup the scanner. Put a couple wires here and there and PRESTO, you have a new scanner!

The quality of the scans are great as well and you can pick the different resolutions to scan at. I'm sorry that I haven't worked with the 25-page document feeder or the slide adapter yet but if you're looking for great scans at a decent price, this is it!