Rating: 
Summary: Windows XP users, beware!
Review: The supplied software does not install properly on Windows XP; instead, it gives a bizarre series of errors. I believe the hardware is good, but the software is clearly out-of-date.For the motivated, it is possible to download XP-compatible TWAIN drivers from Epson's web page. These can be installed without touching the supplied installation cd, and will provide basic scanning functionality. Let me reiterate: if you're using Windows XP, don't bother using the supplied cd, because it probably won't work!
Rating: 
Summary: Not Quite Perfection
Review: I bought the Epson Perfection 1660 scanner after researching scanners for a while. I was excited to see the initial scans but could not get the one touch buttons to work. Epson Tech support (which is a toll call) said the problem is that I have a Hewlett Packard Printer (which I love and don't want to change). The only way I can copy with the Epson scanner is to have an Epson driver on my system set up as the default printer and then switch the printer on the copy screen to my HP. The problem with this is that, of course, I don't have an Epson printer so I have to 1) change the default settings every time I want to copy something. 2) Change the printer for each copy. And 3) Remember to change the default back after I make the copy. Not exactly one touch. I asked the tech support if they planned to fix this - they said No. I couldn't believe it so I made another toll call and I talked to Customer Service. They basically said - if you don't like it - return the scanner.
I have not exhaustively checked the features because the driver problems are enough to make me return the scanner.
Rating: 
Summary: First scanner.
Review: Did a lot of research on scanners. Originally I was going to go for the Epson 2450. Financial considerations kept me to the 1660 range. No regrets. This unit more than meets requirements. Have scanned in more than 500 pictures and slides.
Machine works fast, accurate and easy to use. There is apparently better software out there but the included Twain & Photoshop are more than I would ever need.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Slide Scans, Surprisingly Easy Setup
Review: 1. Setup was sooooo simple that even a small kid could set it up. Not much manuals to read over anxiously. Cuz Epson seemed to had only one thing in mind while making this 'piece of art'. Simplicity. 2. Scanning Slides. The BEST ! I compared this with other scanners like the Micrktek 4900 (UGGGGGHHHHHhh !!!). Cant even talk about that scanner any more. Read my review there in case ur interested. But talkin abt this Epson, it sure know its job v-e-r-y W-e-L-L !
The good news was that I was finally able to scan my dark slides and some pretty contrast slides of the Times Square in a jiffy. 3. Very simple attachment for scanning slides and negatives. A no brainer actually. It comes with a kind of a mould that fits only in one position on the flatbed and has perfect holders for slides/negatives - as against the Scan-Lid that comes with the Microtek Scanner for Slides/Negatives... real messy stuff. In short, this scanner just saved me a couple hundred bucks by not going in for those expensive Dedicated Slide Scanners.
Rating:
Summary: Comparison of the 1660 & 2400 scanners
Review: I purchased both the 2400 and the 1660 scanners to compare thier
results.I previously tried and returned the Microtek 4900 and the 4850, both had an acceptable quality for photo scanning ( though they were both a little undersaturated and soft)but I had problems with both not being able to go into standby mode, the light would always remain on even when the software said it should be out. Also the scanner button program when loading would never be able able to locate the scanner and was constantly running in the background.Enough said steer away from them.
Now on to the quality products. I did some very extensive testing head to head on both units using various color test charts, black and white resolution charts and many detailed photos of various sizes.I then tried scanning them at different resolutions/dpi. After repeating the test numerous times my conclusions are, even though the 2400 can scan at higher resolutions 2400x4800 which should be better for scanning slides and negatives than the 1660's lower 1600x3200 resolution, the 1660 scanner had a more vivid, slightly sharper scans when comparing them with the 2400's scans.
These results were equally noticable both on screen and in their printouts.(I am using the HP Photosmart 7150 printer which I reviewed also)
So, unless you do need the higher resolutions of the 2400 scanner(which still gives good results)along with it's Packaged Adobe Photoshop Elements 1.1,you would be better of saving yourself the $$ and purchase the 1660 instead.
These results were substantiated by numerous other people even including the Epson Rep which I met at Best Buy who had a chance to compare my printouts of the scans.She suggested to contact Epson's Tech Staff to find out why this is so.Buy the way I am a Computer Tech myself, and am a perfectionist when purchasing new equipment.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic for the common user
Review: I am not a scanner buff by any stretch of the imagination, and have only owned one other scanner before this one, but I know what I like. I like the Epson Perfection 1660. From its crisp scanned images to its sleek design, this scanner is a winner. But, setting aside how it looks, or how well it scans, leaves you with software. Epson SmartPanel is superb. Push a button on the scanner, and the software launches automatically (you can run it by normal methods, too), giving you many options for the upcoming scan; whether you want to scan to a file, to an e-mail, to the web, to an application, or perform OCR on a document, this scanner/software combo can do it all. I was very impressed, and I think you will be, too. One minor addition; for those who have had trouble with XP and the 1660, I just don't get it. I use XP Pro and had the most effortless and simple install imagineable. The scanner works flawlessly with XP's own scanner/camera wizard, and Smartpanel works perfectly. You folks are doing something wrong.
Rating:
Summary: dark and dingy
Review: I bought this to reproduce my illustrations and am rather disappointed. No matter how I tweak exposure and colors, my white grounds read as grey, which makes the rest of my colors look like old socks. Worse yet, since my paper is larger than the bed, I get a darker border up the edges of the image where it doesn't lie flush to the glass. Maybe I'm missing something, but I've had much better luck with hp's. True this was a breeze to set up, but it's not delivering the quality I had hoped for.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant Scans, and Linux Support... what else is needed?
Review: So, my older Cannon scanner died, and it was the last reason I kept a Windows desktop running in my otherwise Linux based office. I thought this would be a great time to kill two birds with one stone, buy a new and better scanner, as well as migrate the last Windows deskiop to Red Hat Linux (7.3 Professional). I did a bit of research and found that the Epson scanners were best supported by the Linux scanner drivers (SANEd) so I fired up my browser and purchased this item. Setup under Linux was a breeze, actually easier than it was to set up the older scanner in Windows! The opensource drives and applications worked seemlessly with the scanner producing wonderfull images that looked brilliant both on the monitor and printed page. I must admit that before migrating the desktop to Linux I set it up under Windows just out of "curiosity" and it worked well there also, although I cannot give a true comparison between their outputs as I did not print the pictures under Windows. If I were asked to suggest any scanner for use under Linux, this is the only one I would even bring up... it is the best!
Rating:
Summary: Very impressed
Review: Terrific little scanner, especially for the price, was very impressed by the results of the scans, especially 35mm negatives. Very light weight and slick looking. Only quirk I have is the help manual (which is online) was a little confusing at times, but I'm not going to base the performance of the machine on that.
Rating:
Summary: Inexpensive to Buy - Quality is Better than Most
Review: I bought this scanner in a hurry to complete a project. In turned into being a better scanner than my expensive one. It installs quickly and the software that is provided with it is adequate or you can use your own software easily. If you are planning on scanning mostly text you may want to get a better OCR software product. The scanner does a great job and then it is up to the character recognition software to finish the job. If you scan a photograph and print on quality paper it it does the job of a photo scanner. Everything I have scanned with this scanner from text to photographs is high quality. I am considering buying a second one at the price that is offered. It's a DEAL.
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