Hi Jim,

I was a Kurzweil rep for over 20 years.  You indeed did have a good scanner.

I purchased an OptipBook scanner by PlusTec (maybe spelled PlusTech, not
sure) just over two years ago.
It has an integral bookedge, not quite as good of an edge as the old Reading
Edge by Kurzweil Educational Systems but close.  It does indeed have a true
bookedge.  It works very well for scanning bound texts such as books and
magazines.  I don't remember how much I gave for it but likely $200-$300.  

Not knowing whose scanning software you use I cannot say how fast it will be
for you.  I use K1000 version 12.  When I initially turn the scanner on and
press the scan button to scan the first page it takes maybe 30 seconds for
the scanner to "count down".  Then the scan begins.  It normally scans a
page in around 7 seconds and each additional page takes around 7 seconds.

If you use OpenBook I would imagine that this scanner would also work well
but don't know.  

Steve Baum, the chief software engineer for Kurzweil recommended this
scanner.  There may be a better one available now but I haven't been
looking.

You can contact me off list if you need at:
Kent at readingproducts dot com


-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Jim Shaffer
Sent: Wednesday, February 26, 2014 10:43 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: OT: good scanner for books

Can anyone recommend a good book scanner.  My old Epson won=E2=80=99t = work
any more with a 64-bit Windows 7 machine, and I need a good flat = bed
scanner for scanning books.  I=E2=80=99m not interested in a lot of = fancy
features such as a document feeder.  I want a good scanner for = scanning
books like you=E2=80=99d get from your local library.
--
Jim Shaffer, KE5AL
Pflugerville, TX
www.jjshaffer.net
www.pgramblers.com