Epson Scanners

[venchka]

Check the Epson Clearance Center.

Sample:

Epson 4990

[chris00nj]

Do you have one? I have a less expensive V500, which I've been happy with.

[KD5NRH]

+1 on Epson Clearance Center scanners. I've got a refurb 4490Photo that I bought from them for $129 including shipping a couple years ago, and aside from the plain brown box, there was nothing at all to indicate it wasn't brand new.

[venchka]

I gave up too soon on finding a 4990. I used Wes Clavey's 4990 a lot. I bought an Epson 1680. Naturally an slew of 4990s came out of the woodwork after that. I like the 1680.

[wclavey]

I have the 4990 and like it, generally... my biggest concern is keeping the underside of the bottom glass clean - - it seems I am cleaning it more & more frequently... maybe I'm just getting pickier!

[crackhead]

how do you dismantle the bottom scanning glass surface to clean it? I was curious about that.

Does anyone else's 4490 make a horrible grinding sound whenever it attempts to start the first scan of the day?

[venchka]

On glass cleaning: The Perfection 1680 is designed to make glass cleaning quick and easy.

I use a trash bag made for kitty litter over my scanner. Keeps the dust out.

[wclavey]

John, there is a Yahoo group on Epson scanners that has detailed instructions on dismantling & cleaning them. I will see if I can dig up the URL and stick it here in this thread, but if you do Yahoo, just look it up in their group search. If you can't find it, let me know and I will put out the instructions for my 4990.

Link: http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/Epson_Scanners/

The problem that makes it necessary to clean the underside of the glass is the out-gassing of the parts, when heated by the light & the electronic circuitry. It creates a film on the underside of the glass. Dust will stick to it, but the bigger problem is a cloudy, splotchy look created where the lens passes under the film.

Word has it that the only way to defeat it is to create negative pressure inside the bottom of the case (small muffin fan added to the case, near a hole you also add...) but I'm not willing to cut a hole in the case yet.

[KD5NRH]

Originally Posted by crackhead

Does anyone else's 4490 make a horrible grinding sound whenever it attempts to start the first scan of the day?

Sounds like one or the other of the position encoders may be a bit confused. Does it make any difference whether you're scanning transparencies or reflective items?