Scanner recomendations?

[torstan]

I've finally decided to invest in a scanner. I've been using the one at work but that is a bit of a pain. The plan is to use it to scan in sketches of maps, small paintings and that sort of thing. I'm not looking at getting anything outrageously expensive (£50-£100 seems to cover a lot of scanners on the market, or $100-$200 in Other Money). However there are a vast number of models on the market and it's a little bemusing. The only one that has stood out from the reviews I've seen is the CanoScan 4400F. Anyone got any experience of this line?

All recommendations gratefully recieved.

[Robbie]

I'm personally a big fan of HP scanners...I've had the most success from them...but I'm no expert.

[RPMiller]

I have been more than pleased with my Canon printer and camera, and if I had it to do again, I would by a Canon scanner. The great thing about Canon is that they use the same software for all their devices.

So my recommendation would be to look at the other devices that you have and choose a scanner that messes well with those devices.

I happen to have an Epson scanner and it works fine, but there are a couple 'issues' that I don't like. One of which is that when it drops into 'sleep' mode it won't ever wake up until I reboot the machine so you have to keep sleep mode turned off. Also, the software isn't the best.

As for HP scanners, they are workhorses, but I have always found them, and other HP devices for that matter, to be very slow.

[HellHound]

I have two. The printer has a scanner built in (HP) and I've also got a cheap Canon scanner that runs on USB only, so no power plugs or anything. I like the Canon because I can carry it in my briefcase with my laptop.

[Gamerprinter]

My Scanmaker 9600 is about $1500 USD - but its a 9600 dpi, 12 x 18 color flatbed scanner.

I also have a 36" wide 500 dpi grayscale and b/w, roll type scanner which is about $9,000

As well as a 36" wide b/w only scanner attached my large format laser printer

I've never used a scanner that cost less than $1000 USD.

Except for a hand scanner but that was like 18 years ago!

[torstan]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll let you know how it turns out