Warning: Do NOT buy microtek Scanners

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dr. E
  • Start date Start date
D

Dr. E

Folks:

I had asked a while ago regards to replacement lamps for a Microtek
2500F
scanner.

A number of folks asked for the outcome, and I also feel it is my
responsibility to
inform the scientific community of serious issues with one of the top
recommended
scanners.

It seems that for whatever reason microtek will NOT sell or ship
replacement
lamps for this scanner. YOU MUST ship the scanner back to microtek
ITSELF.
There are no authorized repair facilities (in North America) other than
the single
office center in California. Now please folks realize, we are talking
about shipping
a 70 pound, delicate scanner that costs ~ $3K USD, and that comes in a
box as big
as a desk across a continent. For a lamp assembly that is replaced with
6 screws
total, and should have a cost of less than $20.

For anyone out there who has replaced a flat bed scanner lamp you know
exactly
how absurd this is.

Please, I urge you DO NOT BUY MICROTEK SCANNERS.

(Anyone want to buy a Scanner? Needs a new lamp.)

Sincerely,

Dr. Richard E. Edelmann
 
Well Doc, that sounds pretty grim, but maybe all is not lost. Have you
pulled the lamp out yet? Possibly if you do there might be a clue as to the
manufacturer of said lamp. I rather doubt microtek makes their own lamps.
It could possibly be a very common item? Possibly you could buy direct or
have a local shop order it if they won't sell to private parties.
 
Hello..... I knew not to buy Microtek scanners a long time ago - Lousy
customer service. And yes, take the lamp out yourself and check what kind it
is. I'm sure you will be able to find a replacement.

Dan
 
Just make sure the replacement has the the same spectral emission curves
or close and use an IT8 profiler to compensate (lcms is a pretty good
choice and free !)

Frank
 
Dr. E said:
Folks:

I had asked a while ago regards to replacement lamps for a Microtek
2500F
scanner.

A number of folks asked for the outcome, and I also feel it is my
responsibility to
inform the scientific community of serious issues with one of the top
recommended
scanners.

It seems that for whatever reason microtek will NOT sell or ship
replacement
lamps for this scanner. YOU MUST ship the scanner back to microtek
ITSELF.
There are no authorized repair facilities (in North America) other than
the single
office center in California. Now please folks realize, we are talking
about shipping
a 70 pound, delicate scanner that costs ~ $3K USD, and that comes in a
box as big
as a desk across a continent. For a lamp assembly that is replaced with
6 screws
total, and should have a cost of less than $20.

For anyone out there who has replaced a flat bed scanner lamp you know
exactly
how absurd this is.

Please, I urge you DO NOT BUY MICROTEK SCANNERS.

(Anyone want to buy a Scanner? Needs a new lamp.)

Sincerely,

Dr. Richard E. Edelmann
Click to expand...

Not a whole lot different from the ink-jet makers who put chips in
their carts to try and foil refilling and third-party carts is it? Or
having the "ubiquitous"PC you bought from Dell or some other OEM have a
part go bad that while being a standard part, has a proprietary
connector to try and make you buy the part from them or send it in.

Point is that Microtek isn't the only one doing this saddly. OTOH, I've
used their scanners for some time and not had problems, yet. But it also
wouldn't daunt me to reaplace my own bulb so long as I had the clean
room to do it in so the optics are not compromised with any dust that
can affect scanning. not impossible to be sure, just a lot of care.
 
Folks:

I had asked a while ago regards to replacement lamps for a Microtek
2500F
scanner.

A number of folks asked for the outcome, and I also feel it is my
responsibility to
inform the scientific community of serious issues with one of the top
recommended
scanners.

It seems that for whatever reason microtek will NOT sell or ship
replacement
lamps for this scanner. YOU MUST ship the scanner back to microtek
ITSELF.
There are no authorized repair facilities (in North America) other than
the single
office center in California. Now please folks realize, we are talking
about shipping
a 70 pound, delicate scanner that costs ~ $3K USD, and that comes in a
box as big
as a desk across a continent. For a lamp assembly that is replaced with
6 screws
total, and should have a cost of less than $20.

For anyone out there who has replaced a flat bed scanner lamp you know
exactly
how absurd this is.

Please, I urge you DO NOT BUY MICROTEK SCANNERS.

(Anyone want to buy a Scanner? Needs a new lamp.)

Sincerely,

Dr. Richard E. Edelmann
Click to expand...

If you remove the lamp, you may do well searching for a replacement here:


http://www.lexusa.com/

http://www.atlantalightbulbs.com/

http://www.aamsco.com/Specialty.htm
 
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