Planon’s Docupen RC800 Review
Planon’s Docupen RC800 is a portable, lightweight (2 oz) scanner in the shape of a pen, and essentially is a more updated version of their Docupen R700. The scanner can scan at 100, 200, and 400 DPI , and has Monochrome or Full colour modes, and Standard Resolution and High Resolution Modes.
The Docupen RC800 came with a black, leather case, the USB cord, the Docupen RC800 and the Docupen software installation CD.
The lights on the left end of the Docupen RC800 show what mode you’re using, the battery life, and the remaining memory of the Docupen.
The Docupen software was quite easy to install- the onscreen directions were excellent!
As I had never used a Docupen before, becoming acostomed to the specific, smooth, even scanning motion that you need to use when trying to scan a document was a bit tricky.
Once you scan your documents (or magazines or photos or articles), you need to transfer them to your computer. I would have been quite lost at how to do it, as it is a complicated process, without the manual. First, you open Paperport. Then, from Paperport you click scan with the selected scanner being the docupen. Then, Pentwain pops open, and from there you click the download button. After the images are downloaded, you select which ones you wish to transfer to Paperport to edit, save, print or turn into a Word Document or PDF.
My first few scans were a bit messed up, because I had not yet mastered the proper Docupen RC800 scanning technique.
I suceeded, however, in scanning an Economist political cartoon,
Half of the cover of The Economist before the memory ran out (I had not bothered to supplement the internal memory with a microSD card),
My brother’s University of Rochester housing details letter,
and a bit of Beethoven’s Fur Elise. I was scanning from a music book, and so the Docupen couldn’t fully reach the left side of the page, where the page was bound.
Books are not particularly scanned well by the Docupen RC800, as it is difficult for the docupen to get close enough to the text on the side of the page that is bound to the book. Also, if you look above at the Rochester letter, you’ll be able to see that it is a bit difficult to read the small font. It is also difficult for the Docupen to capture the very top of letters and such, as you need to hold on to the document there to keep it steady. Below is a scanned page from Paolini’s Eldest. About half an inch of the writing closest to the binding was not scanned by the Docupen RC800.
Pros: Design is beautiful, and the Docupen RC800 is extremely lightweight. The software is easy to install, and the manuals help explain how to download scans. The Docupen RC800 is also adequate at scanning letters, magazine articles, and documents.
Cons: The price of $300 would be a big factor for some, especially as the Docupen ony has up to 400 DPI. Also, it is difficult to become accustomed to using the docupen, as you have to master the right technique. The Docupen RC800 does not scan well books, and cannot adequately capture the very top portion of documents. While it takes 8-10 seconds to scan, it can take up to another 30-40 seconds for the Docupen to actually store the scan.
Summary: With a $300 price tag and a maximum of 400 DPI, most consumers will be satisfied with a flatbed scanner, which for the same or less price can have a DPI of 3200 or more. While the Docupen RC800 is useful for scanning documents and letters on the go, the small DPI of 400 will turn away possible owners who want a more accurate scan.