"Jon" == Jon Noring <jon@noring.name> writes:
Jon> Yes, I've heard of these book-oriented scanners which are Jon> more gentle on bindings (but even here the binding is Jon> stressed.) There's a web site somewhere giving a review of Jon> the model you describe, but don't have the URL handy. I have one, Plustek OpticBook 3600, and I am very much satisfied of it, but scanning books in book mode trims away at least 1cm. in the middle, so can be used only if the margins are generous. To use it you have to open the book at 90 degrees, usually possible. I am satisfied nevertheless for the speed, the depth of the scan (there is almost no shadow in the gutter), the overall quality for the price. I see it quoted now $239, but it is difficult to find it in online shops: apparently there is much demand. However, in my experience, the limit is not scanning quality: it is print quality. OCR quality is pretty good on modern editions, but old books, often stained, and even more often with defective print, give raise to a lot of errors. Often you don't have the choice of a better print. Carlo