Epson Perfection 1260 Photo Scanner

When my HP Scanjet 3200C refused to work with Windows XP on my new computer, I decided to try the Epson Perfection 1260. The installing the scanner drivers were extremely easy. I didnt bother with the additional software since I have Photoshop 7. After quickly getting the scanner up and running, I noticed problems. When pictures or color documents were scanned, they were usually a bit blurry. Sometimes they had a red line going through them, however, I didnt think much of it. I pretty much used the scanner for line art. That however should have been a warning sign as the quality of photos, magazine articles and covers I scanned seemed to get progressively worse. To make them look clear, I often had to clean up the lines in Photoshop. Then came the final straw, when trying to scan a color drawing, the scan came out way too dim. Instead of a clear picture (or even a slightly blurred one) all I got was grayish fuzz. When I tried to scan a DVD cover as a test, all I got a lot of red and no color. All of this, and Ive only had it for a few months, moderately using it from time to time. All in all, Id say my money was wasted. So far Id say if youre looking for something easy to install and use, that also scans clean line art, then go for it. For anything and everything else, the low price isnt worth it.

This is my first scanner but it has been a pleasure. It has never caused any trouble and has always done what I asked. Sometimes I struggle to get the 35mm adapter to work (the optional attachment) but other than that, this scanner has proved to be a very good purchase.

I still have this scanner and it still works.. purchased in 2003. I dont use it as much now that scanners are pretty much standard with printers. However, Ive got through a few printers and when I needed to scan, this was ready. I miss these days when products just worked without hassle. Didnt even need to install the driver now Windows searches for drivers automatically. So, it works right out of the bag (that I keep it in, in the closet).

I purchased a 1260 about 9 months ago after my first-generation scanner (from UMAX) died. The scanner and software were quite easy to set up (on a PC running Windows XP), Ive had no hardware problems, and Ive found the picture quality to be very acceptable. Its a bit slow to warm up and scan, but both were as expected in this price range. The bundled EPSON SmartPanel software is a disappointment; it gets the job done but is far from user-friendly (and my low-tech wife still hasnt figured out how to use it).

I could not install this scanner in my new computer. There were problems with the software with windows XP. The bundeled photo editing software that came with it was the only part that did install; did not need it as I have much better ones now. The drivers and the smart scan function would not install. After many tries and several frustrating days, I returned it to the place I bought it on advice from some other experts in computer science.I cannot recommend this to anyone as one other person rated here, It is a dog. I then bought an HP unit that installed easily with no problems and it works great. My advice is to spend a few extra bucks and avoid the hours of frustration that I had.

Its the scanner for you. Allows for scanning slides and negatives, not to mention flatbed scanning. Running OS X? No need to worry. Just download the driver from Epson, and away you go. Running on Mac OS X 10.2.3

I almost did not buy the 1260 Photo Scanner based upon a couple of other reviews. After using it for a few days, I sure am happy I did. 1. Since I run Windows XP with the Service Pack, I was very concerned after reading the problems a couple of other buyers experienced. I can now say this is not an issue with the Epson. When you open the box, there are instructions on how to download a patch from Microsoft to ensure that the scanner runs perfectly. 2. I was also concerned with another reviewers comments about having to set up a phantom printer. I use a HP Laserjet printer and I printed to that device without any problems. 3. Finally, one of the other concerns was ease of use. Again, not a problem from my perspective. The scanner was set up and running perfectly within ten minutes (from box to perfect picture). The quality of the photos and documents is very good from my perspective. I tested the scanner using the printer, sending a picture to an email, saving a scanned picture to a file, and including a scanned picture in a Word document. All functions worked flawlessly. What more could I ask? Well, maybe one thing. The scanner could be a little faster. It is not actually slow - just not real fast. Conclusion: All things considered, I do not think you can go wrong with this scanner.

I installed this scanner onto my system and I use a HP printer. Everything seemed to work until I began trying to make a copy. The scanner would not let me make a copy. I tried every technique imaginable. I read the help files, read the manual and still nothing. I thought there was something wrong with the scanner so I decided to phone epson tech support as my last resort. I couldnt believe what I was told. I was told in order for my printer to work I had to install a ghost printer driver for an Epson printer so the software would work and let me have the option of copying a document. Why on Gods earth would I have to install an Epson Driver when I had a HP printer. To make this frustrating story short Epson has pulled a fast one and made their scanner proprietary meaning it will only work if their printer is set as the default printer. Doesnt seem like a big deal does it? Try printing a document using your printer and you will find it wont print because the default printer is a ghost printer. So what you have to do each and everytime you print you have to go to the device manager and switch between your printer and the epson ghost printer as your default. Tech support told me they dont have a fix for this problem. Wow what a pain. If I am scanning the default printer is the Epson ghost. But to print this I have to change in the program to my printer so I can get my copy as requested from the scanner. But you cant forget to switch the default printer in the device manager when you are printing from any windows program or the internet. I took it back!! I dont have the time or the patience to deal with Epsons way of doing business. Think about it, you would think a scanner is to work on its own merits but Epson has made it only able to work without grief if you own one of their printers. Thanks but no thanks. Back to HP for me.