[gentoo-user] new scanner : any advice ?

[Philip Webb]

My trusty 12-year-old scanner is starting to show signs of age :

Epson Perfection 1260
  1200 x 2400 dpi ; 48-bit color
  Speed : 1200 dpi hi-speed : Monochrome + Color 32 ms/line
  Optical Resolution : 1200 dpi
  Max Document Size : 8.5" x 11.7"

I'm inclined to get another Epson, but would consider something else.
The local store (Canada Computers, College St) offers the following :

Epson Perfection V370 Photo Scanner -- $ 150 -- in stock 1
  Item Code: SNES000478      Part Number: B11B207221
  4800 x 9600 dpi ; 48-bit Color 
  Speed	: Monochrome A4 300 dpi 11 s , Color A4 300 dpi 14 s
  Optical Resolution : 12,8 K dpi
  Max Document Size : 8.5" x 11.7"

Epson Perfection V550 Photo Flatbed Scanner -- $ 230 -- in stock 2
  Item Code: SNES000509      Part Number: B11B210201
  6400 x 9600 dpi ; 48-bit color
  Speed : 6400 dpi hi-speed : Monochrome + Color 21 ms/line
  Maximum Resolution : 12,8 K dpi
  Photo Restoration , 35mm Medium Format Scanning
  USB 2.0 Hi-Speed

Epson Perfection V600 Photo Flatbed Scanner -- $ 276 -- in stock 3
  Item Code: SNES000346      Part Number: B11B198022
  6400 x 9600 dpi ; 48-bit Color
  Speed	: 21 ms/line (Color + monochrome)
  Max Document Size : 8.5" x 11.7"

All have Linux drivers, according to Epson's I/net site.

V370 has lower resolution & probably slower,
but it's not clear what justifies the extra cost of V600 over V550.

Does anyone have experience with these or have any advice to offer ?

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