Umax Astra 3400 Flatbed Scanner

Got it for free with my last computer, finally tried it and it only gives a black screen, barring that, Umax charges for the updates to their non-compatible scanner, after about 3 different drivers (including the pirated real one) and reconfiguring the device, still nothing but black, but hey, least it was free.

If you do purchase a UMAX scanner, make sure nothing happens to the driver or software, because they will not help you recover the software/driver ever again. Instead, you purchase drivers and then pay $14.95. I think they are idiots for not supporting their products. I will NEVER buy another UMAX product again. NEVER!!!!!

I upgraded my Operating System to Windows XP and UMAX scanner stop working. Obviously it required driver for Windows XP.

Unlike other vendors, UMAX dosnot provide drivers for free. They charge so much that in that amount you will buy another scanner.

I will never buy any UMAX products in future. I don't know how this company is still surviving.

NEVER BUY UMAX PRODUCT. If you don't belive me try calling their Customer Service and ask for driver, you will get the answer. Then you will thank me for this review.

About the scanner, it sucks, its very slow and color are not accurate.

I would have given ZERO stars but this was not the option.

if you're looking for a scanner for freeway billboards or an ultra-professional, super-high resolution, ansel adams-worthy scanner like the other reviewers, this may not be the scanner for you but i've been using this scanner for 5 years and i have not had any problems with it. i would, however, share the disappointment with umax; when apple moved on to OSX, umax did not update the driver for the astra 3400. it's stuck on OS 9 and what sounds like a non-intuitive PC setup.

I got this for occasional scanning needs, and what a peice of $#!%. When it did work, it was reasonable, but at one point just started scanning grey. Patches, jiggling, tech support were all completely useless. Now they make you pay for drivers if you lost the disk, which is like adding expensive insult to injury.

Do not, under any circumstances, buy this scanner. You may get lucky, it might work for you - but if you feel that lucky use the money on lottery tickets.