Microtek ScanMaker 9800XL Scanner

What's in the Box
ScanMaker 9800XL scanner, Kodak IT8 reflective target, USB cable, FireWire cable, FireWire card (for PC only), Software CD(s), user's guide, warranty information

Product Description
Need to scan large documents into your Mac or PC? It can be frustrating as most flatbeds are pretty much for letter-size documents. Here's a scanner that'll make your world seem new again. With a large 12" x 17" scan bed, the tabloid-size ScanMaker 9800XL brings high performance and affordable extra-large scanning for reflective media to the corporate user or graphic designer. The scanner's high-resolution 21,360-element CCD allows for greater enlargement of scanned images without loss of detail, and its three interfaces of USB/FireWire/SCSI-2 provide maximum flexibililty. The 9800XL also features a 3.7 maximum optical density with multiple sampling technology for true-to-life representation and purer image output. A powerful accessories package for film scanning is available as an attractive option to boost your productivity even further. Microtek LANShare network software (for PC only) - Lets you share the 9800XL over a local area network (LAN) / Allows multiple stations to use the same scanner and save on hardware costs Voltage / Power Consumption - AC 100 to 240 volts, 47 to 63 Hz, 45 watts maximum Scanner Unit Dimensions - 24.5 x 14.5 x 5.125 (LxWxH) / Unit weighs 32 lbs

The only think I don't like about the Microtek is, the lid will fold up on a hinge but only at right angles. This bunches up really large publications that need to slop over the edge of the scanner bed at that end. The lid of the old Agfa lifted off completely, and I liked that significantly more.

But other than that, the Microtek is a great scanner at a reasonable price.


Scanning lamp went out   October 29, 2003
34 out of 34 found this review helpful

I thought the scanner was great, but the lamp went out just after 1 year after I bought it. So now all my scans have a rainbow line from top to bottom. Microtek's extent of technical support is reinstall the drivers, if that doesn't work you have to return it so we can repair it, because there are no authorized repair people out there, but us. They will not sell me the lamp, because they need to repair it themselves (they want the labor dollars). So, after I paid $1,400 for this thing a year ago I am going to have to pay another $200-300 for repair and shipping both ways.


4 stars for the scanner and an extra star for Amazon.com!   June 3, 2003
D. Robertson (Napa, Ca)
28 out of 28 found this review helpful

I have waited four years to buy a large bed scanner. I will never understand why the slight difference in scanner bed size increases the cost so greatly, (an 11 X 14 scanner is as little as $...) but that's the market as it stands. As an artist, I needed a scanner that would capture my work in one scan.

The Microtek scanner came practially ready to go right out of the box and installed into Windows XP effortlessly. It even came with a firewire card to install into the computer in the event the buyer didn't already have one. Very considerate! All necessary cables, both a Firewire OR a USB will operate it, and all the software was there and ready to go. Plugged in, it woke right up and scanned perfectly on it's first time out, as easy as downloading pics from my digital camera. No problems!

Amazon.com not only had the best price after a year of looking around, but offered free shipping and still got it to me the next day. If I had to spend this much on the scanner I at least got great service and treated well by the seller, as well as a quality product. OUTSTANDING!


When a Large Bed is Necessary There is No Alternative   November 14, 2003
Kimberly Smith
12 out of 14 found this review helpful

Microtek makes one of the only large format scanners on the market today, which concerned me as I don't like to see a monopoly as then product quality won't be job #1. I was surpised, albit pleasantly when I was received the scanner from CDW and how easy it was to use. It has SCSI, Firewire and USB connections on the back which make it easy to setup and install. Scanner quality is excellent as we scan dental xrays and then send them to insurance companies, who are always complaining about fuzziness of the scans. Needless to say we have had no difficulties with this Microtek and would probably buy another one in the future!


absolutely no support   August 15, 2006
D Beach (Doylestown, PA)
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

Scanner stopped working one week after warranty expired, which means this scanner only lasted one year. Microtek will not accept the scanner back for repair even at my cost and does not refer you to an authorized dealer for repair. The response is "buy a new one." The time frame for this response is two weeks. Please take the time to consider another brand!