Customer Reviews

Agfa SnapScan 1212U Color Scanner (PC/Mac)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have never owned a scanner before but was surprised to find out how easy it was to use. I had no trouble installing the software like the previous review. What pleased me most was the USB hook-up which, on my computer did't require me to reach behind. I was up and scanning photos within 15 minutes and because of the software allowed me to attach them to e-mails with a click of a mouse. I highly recommend this easy to use scanner.

Scanning software is very easy to use and the scanner itself is pretty quiet. When trying to scan a color photograph, the color on the screen appeared more orange than the photograph itself. It is possible to reduce this using a color saturation adjustment, but it would have been nice to have some sort of tint control available. By the time the saturation is reduced to a tolerable level, the picture is B&W. For an inexpensive scanner, it's not bad.

Installing the OCR software took a little while, as it caused general protection faults and would be forced closed by Windows. I e-mailed Caere's technical support and received a reply in about 24 hours to reinstall with Windows in Protected Mode. This worked fine. The software itself seemed to work well. Only a few typographical errors.

Brief history: I wanted a scanner, USB was a big plus, the price was right, so I opted for the Agfa 1212U. The scanner arrived, and the install was a breeze. The few test scans I did looked nice, darn nice. The software was pretty good too. I was happy.

When I settled down to do some serious scans (family photo restorations) I found a terrible flaw in my scanner. The underside of the plastic scanbed had trash and debris on it. Because it was under the glass, I couldn't clean it off. Every scan showed these little "shadows" from the debris.

I attempted to call Agfa customer service. Mistake. Agfa does a marvelous job of directing you circles, not answering emails, and making relevant information hard to find. Their 'customer support' is a joke. Had I known the low regard Agfa has for their customers, I would have bought another brand.

In the end, I went through the retailer and another scanner is on the way. If Agfa had the tiniest respect for their customers, I would have rated the 1212U four or five stars. But, I cannot recommend this product, or any other Agfa product, very highly.

I bought this scanner for my 12 year old son and was amazed at how he was able to scan in photos from our trip to Disney Land. Agfa was a name I new from the camera market, this product works good and is very user freindly.

I don't really have any complaints about this scanner. So far, it has done everything that I have needed it to do. I did have a little bit of trouble installing it. (Be careful to follow the directions exactly.) Also, the user interface seems a little clumsy to me. But, all in all, I'm satisfied with my purchase.

I have owned my SnapScan 1212u for almost a year and I am, as of this moment, searching for a different brand. The help available is nil. The scanner has big problems interfacing with the SCSI drivers...and I cannot even begin to explain why I have waited this long to replace it. But to give you an idea...every time I want to make a scan...I have to unplug the machine, replug in, and then hurry back and hit the scan button so that the software can detect the scanner while the scanner is 'gearing up' for it's run. This is not an occasional problem....it is every single time I use it. Sadly I thought this was normal until I was more informed. It does not install well. And adding it to newer machines is hell on earth. If I could...I would rate this -5 stars. Good luck to all...but I am unhappy with AGFA. Thanks!

But at the time I was using it, it served me well especially for the price. Not perfect, but a stand-up performer value scanner.

I was actually surprised to see this scanner is still on sale. Mine is 6 years old or more, and it finally died. I have tried many things and I simply think it has paid its due. I am so happy with it, that I am looking for it again! The software is very, very good. The scanner itself is bulky so that's a turn-down against other small scanners, but I think I am getting one of these.

Hello,
I have owned one of these for almost ten years now.

It is a great product, it does great scans as long as you use the "original artwork" setting the scan is = the original.

+ if you are scanning from a magazine, or a computer print you can select "deinterlace" wich does what it says...makes the scan ten times better than on any other scanner without the function.

Well worth it, and still functionning !