ScanSnap S510M Instant PDF Sheet-Fed Scanner

In the first month of use, the ScanSnap has allowed me to digitally archive a large stack of documents. The included optical character recognition software is very good; while not perfect, particularly on documents with some distortion or noise, it exceeds every other solution I've tried. This device has paid for itself already, allowing me to do in two hours what would have previously taken many days.

Two minor issues
1. On five (out of 500+) documents scanned, the device has jammed. In each case I suspect use of the included sheet carrier would have prevented the issue. The device does such a great job even on slightly wrinkled paper that I perhaps expected too much... until two important receipts jammed and were then crumpled as the device continued to feed. Lesson: when in doubt, slow down and use the carrier.
2. The Mac software is very good: fast, intuitive, and everything else you'd want for something that will be used many times a day. But... keyboard shortcuts are not Mac standard, and some additional user interface should be built for commonly-used operations. Example: changing between scanning profiles (B+W vs. color, simplex vs. duplex) is accessed via "Settings... Cmd-S". Mac standard would be "Preferences... Cmd-,", or better yet providing a separate button or keyboard shortcut to toggle profiles.

Overall, the above issues do not take away from the usefulness of the device. It's earned a spot on my desk, and the relatively high price is justified by the utility of the device and included software.

After reading the review on Amazon and from MacWorld, I order the ScanSnap S510M. It met or exceeded all my expectations. I had 4 filing cabinet drawers of old files that I wanted to scan. I accomplished my goal within two weekends.

The unit is fast and does a good job of grabbing one page at a time. It scans duplex nicely and software was easy to use.

I'd recommend for large or faster scanning jobs.

I thought they fixed the problems with the paper jam in the previous model to this one so I went ahead and bought another one HOPING the paper jam issue was solved.

I am ready to throw this and the old one against the wall to satisfy the frustration I have every time I try to scan more than 2 pages. I just grabs two or more pages and feeds them through altogether.

I separate the paper and again the same thing. After maybe 5 tries it ends up working. I know the paper can stick together but they know that too so don't blame the paper (even though I do loosen it up).

There is basically no technical support either. Try calling Fujitsu and see how far you get.

Next time I am buying a scanner I know works. The reviews here just don't make any sense if the paper always jams. If you want a great 1 page scanner I recommend this one, but this is suppose to be a multiple page scanner and it just doesn't work no matter how you fiddle with it.

GG

I have been using Mac products exclusively for over 20 years now and have had one problem or another with scanners. So for the last 10 years I have accumulated files worth of paper with almost no hope of ever PDFing them. Along came Sam , another Mac person who recommended the Scan Snap. Well its a >$400 scanner so I refreined from its purchase. I get a 500 dollar refund recently and made the purchase from Amazon. Well its the best computer peripheral that I have ever purchased and in the last month have digitized a library of over 800 classic surgical papers. It works without any effort. It corrects paper orientation and the PDF's come out great. The speed is over 15 pages per minute and in color. I literally went three hours before a jam occurred on a paper that had some stains on it from 20 years ago. It was removed and rescanned without a problem. This device is small and doesn't consume alot of desk space. Its light weight so again portable. I even bought a carrying case for it(the old model case still fits the new model) so when I need to I carry it to the office. This peripheral has saved me a few thousand dollars and hours of time. I even threw out my antiquated file cabinets which my wife became elated about. Yes, all six, heavy scratched file cabinets are now gone and in its place a nice white 6x 6x 11.5 inch peripheral that does the work of at least 3 people. Buy it! For some it will save you a lot of money and time. The documents are great and easily retrievable. Good luck and Good scanning from home or office.

If only all hardware and software worked as well and as reliably! The ScanSnap fulfills the promise of a paperless office. All my documents get scanned and thrown out. It is a dream come true. The unit is so fast that even long documents (like wills) go through quickly and without a hitch. The document feeder is near perfect. Access to the paper path, in the rare occurrence of a jam, is quick and simple. I have recommended this unit (or its Windows equivalent) to many friends and they all thank me. Guaranteed, it will not sit idle. I also gave away my multi-function fax/scanner/printer and signed up for a fax service. The service with this scanner is the perfect solution. Only thing I miss is a flat bed scanner.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!