Pandigital Photolink One-Touch Scanner
Before we had digital cameras everything was done with film, which means most of us have all kinds of photographs floating around. They’re nice but the problem is that with time they will fade and of course they’re fairly fragile as well, susceptible to fire, water, humidity etc, and it would be a shame to lose our memories. The one thing we can do is transfer them over to our computers so we have them copied digitally and for the most part they’re better protected than the originals, and if something would happen to them then there would be a digital backup. If you’ve ever tried scanning pictures with a regular sized flatbed scanner then you know it can be a real pain to do, it just never seems to work out right, to do it correctly you need a dedicated picture scanner.
The product I have for review today is the Photolink One-Touch Scanner from a company called Pandigital. Pandigital mostly makes digital picture frames, but they recently released this product as sort of an accompaniment to their digital photo frame lineup, but it can be used alone as an excellent photo scanner. The Photolink can scan up to a 4×6 photograph, and it does it amazingly fast and with excellent results, it also essentially upscales the photo as well so you end up with a hi-res picture that you can blow up without much quality loss.
I have to say I love this product, for me it’s exactly what I need to transfer my photos to my computer, it’s well made, it’s very fast and it does a great job..
Ok, first up is the unboxing video, so check it out and continue on:
Specifications:
Pandigital Photolink One-Touch Scanner
Model: PANSCN01
Price: $99.99
* Scans up to 4×6 traditional print photos to be viewed on your digital photo frame.
* Creates a stunning digital replica of the original print photo.
* Transfer the new digital photos from the Photolink Scanner directly onto a memory card using the built-in 5-in-1 card reader
Specs:
Supported Media: CF, SD, MS, MMC, XD
Memory Card Reader: Built-in 5-in-1
Connectivity: Mini USB 2.0
Scanning
Document Size: Up to 4×6 inch images
Photo Feeding: Sheet Feed Type
Output Image Format: JPEG
Resolution: 1800 x 1200 @ 4×6 photo scan (image); 300 x300 dpi (optical)
Dimensions: 6.15""W x 1.8""H x 1.5""D / .5 lbs
Package Contents:
* Handheld Scanner
* Calibration Card
* Roller Cleaning Sheet
* Sensor Cleaning Swab
* Power Adapter
* USB Cable
* User Manual
The Pandigital Photolink One-Touch scanner is very simple to use, just put the memory card in, turn it on and insert a picture, the scanner senses the picture and pulls it through for the scan. It’s very fast as well, just a couple seconds and the picture is done. Of course if you’ve got a different sized picture there is a slider on the right side that moves so you can even scan wallet sized photos and business cards if you wish.
I’ve reviewed a lot of products in my time and this has to be one of the coolest and most useful ones of all, at least it ranks up there very high on a short list of products that I feel are exceptional.
One complaint I could have about this scanner is that you can’t scan directly to your computer with it, you can hook it to your computer via USB and immediately pull the pictures from the memory card. You can just leave the window open and as you scan the pictures will appear, but you can’t use it as you would any other scanner hooked to your computer. It’s not that big of a deal though really, my Epson WorkForce 600 has the same ability, I can stick a USB stick or memory card in it and scan directly to it, so it’s sort of the same in that respect.
Over on my blog I started a series of scans of postcards, my Grandfather was in World War II and traveled all over the world and he collected postcards while he was there. I started the series but kind of got away from it because it was just a pain to do with a flat bed scanner, it never seemed to work right if I scanned one, and if I scanned a lot of them I would have to go in and crop the individual pictures out and save them. It was just a very time consuming process that I just figured I would get back to eventually, and well eventually never came so it’s been a while since I updated that section. Now though I can scan them in very quickly and they look excellent, it took less than two minutes to scan 21 of them, maybe a minute and a half, and it was just very easy to do.
and here they are, check them out, they’re old so they do show signs of age, but I think they’re a rather unique piece of history.
Some of the scans do have lines going through them, that’s only because the scanner needed calibrated. Pandigital included a special calibration card, and even a little cleaning kit as well to make sure the scanner gives you good quality scans. I left them in just for example sake, once the scanner is calibrated the pictures don’t have the lines of course and they look very good.
Conclusion:
The Pandigital Photolink One-Touch Scanner is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to scan your photos into your computer to save, send or display them. It works very well, and since you can scan various sizes you’ll be able to save quite a few pictures from anything possibly happening to them.
The Photolink Scanner also gets points for being able to read many different types and cards, and of course for the fact that it can double as a card reader for your PC.
Pros:
Very fast scanning
Excellent quality scans
Uses many format of memory cards
Doubles as card reader
Well made
Lightweight and portable
Extremely easy to use
Cons:
Can’t scan directly into computer, not recognized as scanner
| Grades: | |
| Overall |  |
| Design | |
| Performance | |
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14/12 - 2008 at 11:33
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14/12 - 2008 at 13:25
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25/12 - 2008 at 20:05
got scanner as a present little confused about whether you had to use plastic sheets for scanning but did it both ways scanning was easy and looked good on computer screen glad i read review explaining why I had lines in scanned pictures now I will calibrate machine love it
26/12 - 2008 at 2:13
I got this little scanner for myself. It’s perfect for taking to a relatives house to get copies of those family photos that they don’t want to let go of. Plus it will save you a fortune in reprint costs. Before, my mother would make a duplicate set to send me. Now I take my scanner to her house, scan all I want, and burn it to a cd later at home.
I’m planning a trip to an aunt’s house soon so I can spend some time with her and her photo albums.
29/12 - 2008 at 23:07
Got this little gem for Christmas. I used it to scan a few receipts that I have to turn in with an expense account each week and I was able to send the report and copies of the receipts to the office rather than make the 20 mile drive. Could have done it with my big printer scanner but it takes a lot longer and this baby did it in seconds.
I am also starting a business that will require me to take a copy of peoples picture ID while in their homes and this did great. Wasn’t sure if the thickness of a liscense would be a problem but it pulled it through and made a great copy like it was made for this sort of thing.
I love this gadget and am hoping to find one similar that will scan a full page document affordably as sometimes a picture ID card is not available and I need to scan someones birth certificate while in their home.
I would highly recommend this item.
31/12 - 2008 at 22:18
I disagree with the author’s comments on the lines generated by the Photolink. I have a new in the box Photolink scanner. 90% of my scanned photos have horizontal lines going thru them. I have calibrated and cleaned the scanner repeatedly. Nothing helps. Yes, the scanner is easy to use and very portable. But the quality of the scans is unacceptable. If you want a fast scan with no regard to quality, the Photolink works. But if quality matters, you will want to go in a different direction.
31/12 - 2008 at 22:49
I got two of these as gifts for people. One worked flawlessly. The second will have to be returned as even after multiple calibrations we can’t get the lines to vanish from the scans. But - we will definitely be exchanging for a new one. I have to agree with the high ratings. Very fast, very easy. And it scans without a computer so you can sit with an old photo album without a lot of USB wire mess and just scan pic after pic if you like. Very nice product.
1/01 - 2009 at 1:05
I found that using the sleeve helped make the lines go away. Now the only problem is that I’ve mislaid my sleeve! Wonder if I can get another.
1/01 - 2009 at 16:26
Love the concept. I have returned one scanner for replacement already though.
even with multiple calibrations and cleaning the lines in the photos are there.
2/01 - 2009 at 21:07
I too am so far unable to get the lines to go away. Has anyone found a solution to this other than returning the unit?
13/01 - 2009 at 5:31
Yes, great little tool.
But I have lines too.
Calibration made no difference whatsoever
14/01 - 2009 at 18:25
Is there anyone else who has used the scanner and NOT gotten lines? I would like to purchase since I have 1000’s of photos to scan, but I guess it would be useless if they all have lines like the examples above and if 90% of the reviews have the same problem.
27/01 - 2009 at 15:35
My first 20 scanned pictures were great. After that, it went downhill FAST. Everything has lines in it. Calibrating doesn’t make a difference. I wonder if the place purchased makes any difference. I got mine from QVC.
28/01 - 2009 at 19:58
I bought this unit and it worked great for the first 10-20 pictures. Then when I started to use the sleeve lines started to appear. Now I can not get them to go away. I bought it from QVC and I am returning it. They will have it in February for “Today’s Special Value” and I will order another one and hope it works. If not, I will return it too.
29/01 - 2009 at 14:25
Just got this Gadget from QVC. I scanned about 100 pics and then they became distorted, Lines, ripples and fuzzy on the pics. The first 100 were 40 yr old pics, but the next 50 were 2008 . So I cleaned and recalibrated. Started scanning and now I have lines exactly where the calibration card lines are. Cleaned and calibrated again. Same thing. Very disappointed…and now I just recieved a refund from QVC because the unit is going to be the Special for Feb. I can now purchase at the new price of $ 69. Will try again today. If it does’nt come up to par…back it goes.
30/01 - 2009 at 20:55
I just recieved mine from samsclub.com - I will scan tonight and let you know how it goes…..I made sure I got it from a place I could return in person if need be.
2/02 - 2009 at 15:32
This devise works sometimes and sometimes it does not. It will only scan two pictures and then I have to shut it off and start it again for it to scan more. Some of the pictures show up great on my computer, but some of them have a gray blocked out area and it looks like only 10 percent of the picture really got scanned. I am wondering if I am doing something wrong or if I got a lemon and I should take it back.
2/02 - 2009 at 21:59
I returned mine to Sam’s Club. The first 9 scans came out fine and everyone after that had lines in. I scanned about 60 photos. I cleaned and calibrated 1/2 a dozen times, tried the supplied clear cover sheets and the results never changed, ….lines in every scan. I wanted this device to work because the concept is brillant, but it did not.
3/02 - 2009 at 17:00
QVC had it as their Special Daily Value and sold thousands and thousands of them. It’s my guess they will get thousands and thousand returned.
5/02 - 2009 at 15:12
Hi..As I said in my 1/29/09 comment ..I would clean the Gadgit again. I did. I ran that little tab on the backside about 8 times and wiped it , with a small brush and the cleaning card ..carefully. I ran the Calibration card thru 4 times ( continuous ) I set the Gadit on a sheet of newspaper so as not to attrack static. I also had a dryer sheet that I ran over the Gadgit ocassionally as I used it. Especially at the insert opening. I also wiped the Plastic sleeves. I ran 144 blk and wht pics ( in sleeve )thru the Gadgit. I downloaded to my PC program with card. Out of 144 , I had 8 with lines. Go figure ! But cannot understand why lines are exactly in line with the Calibration card ??? Going to clean it and try again today.
6/02 - 2009 at 2:34
I wish someone had the answer to this “lines and streaks” problem with this scanner. I just got this from QVC. I love the way it works…so fast and easy. But the lines in the scanned photos make it look like the original photos had lots fo scratches on them and they did not….I used the cleaner and calibrated it, as the manual says to do…but did not change it at all….just lots of white lines that look like scratches on the pictures.
I know I can send this back, but I’d love to know a solution so I can keep this because I really love the way it works and I can see it would be a great product if it didn’t leave the lines.
I was going to email customer support at Pandigital, but on their website they only have email support for their digital photo frames.
Hope someone here has the solution
8/02 - 2009 at 18:59
Hi, My 5/02/2009 Comment ..I did as I said. Cleaned and re-calibrated the Gadget. I scanned 30 pics, colored, in sleeve. There they were the lines ! So disappointing. Great concept…but not reliable…and POOR quality. I am packing it up to go back to QVC.
10/02 - 2009 at 20:55
I also received this and have the lines issue. Tried calibrating (over the course of a day, several times), tried cleaning it (even though it was new), and everything else I could think of, but the lines remain. I haven’t tried the sleeve yet, but I certainly don’t want to have to use it for each photo (and from the sounds of it, it doesn’t fix things).
I also noticed if looking in the light, you can see the lines actually on the photo (have to look good, they are tiny and hard to see). I had to run to work, so I haven’t had a chance to see if they are smudges or ‘cuts’ (guessing smudges), but I’d venture a guess it has to do with pulling the photo through - maybe too tight or something, I don’t know. But they will line up right where they are on the scanned image.
Tried cleaning and new photos with the same result. Clear photo goes in, line-marked photo comes out, scanned image has lines (sometimes many small ones, other times a few larger ones). Kind of a neat idea, but I will be sending it back.
15/02 - 2009 at 0:29
I bought mine from QVC too , expecting it to be well tried…No! I have lines, lines, and more lines. And there seems to be no pattern to which pictures the lines appear on. It is random. I wanted this to work so much but I am sooooo disappointed. Can anyone recommend another small scanner? Surely, there are other manufacturers who make such things and do it right!
18/02 - 2009 at 0:25
I just got this. It is very easy to set up and use. My first 2 pictures came out great, but after that every picture had LINES. I even cleaned and “calibrated” it, but nothing has helped. I read reviews on amazon before buying, and only one reviewer had trouble with lines. I guess I thought I’d get lucky and not have an issue.
Where did you purchase the plastic sleeves? My scanner did not come with any.
18/02 - 2009 at 0:28
P.S. I even cleaned each photo beforehand to be sure to remove any dust or other debris. It made no difference!
18/02 - 2009 at 20:33
I contacted QVC and they told me they inspect every 1 out of 3 for quality control. I think not. I am guessing they will get thousands sent back. I certainly am sending all 3 of the ones I bought back.
19/02 - 2009 at 1:37
Where can I purchase one of these?
20/02 - 2009 at 2:12
Just recieved my scanner today and right away started to scan photos. Many of the scanned photos had lines in them. At first I thought it was MC they provided. I read on and then calibrated and cleaned and scanned again using different MC. Again, lines! I tried to order from QVC and they discontinued it, now I know why although when I asked them why, they wouldn’t tell me. So, I purchased soomewhere else. As fast as it is to scan photos, I figure I can pull an all nighter and get all my old photos scanned and have it returned by noon tommorrow….. guess i’ll just stick with my digital cam from now on
20/02 - 2009 at 22:32
Really am enjoying copying all my old pictures, going to make a CD for each of my children of their lives. Only problem I do not know how to erase the pictures on the memory card……Please someone help me!!
22/02 - 2009 at 15:11
Anita, you are using some kind of Photo program on your PC . When you inserted the Memory card, there should be an a BOX that you X to clear the card. This is done before you download the Scanned Pics to your specified folder. Look at your program for your camer ( what ever kind ) it should have an option to clear your card.
22/02 - 2009 at 15:37
This is a great concept. I have lots of family pictures and letters from my Dad to Mom,when he was in WWII that I’d love to save. Hope they get the bugs out and also make one that can copy 5×7,8×10’s. The 4×6 is too small to scan Dad’s letters. Hope they come out with something soon,because writing is starting to fade. Does anyone have any suggestion?
22/02 - 2009 at 16:52
I responded before, but I have now had 4 of these in my hands, and I have not come up with a solution to get rid of the lines. So Disappointing! I would pay three times what this thing costs, if it worked! I have tried every remedy I can find suggested anywhere, and nothing works. I took three of them back, and I may or may not hold on to the one I have since I think I have had it too long to return. Hopefully somebody will come up with a solution to the problem. I would say I get MAYBE 25% good scans from the unit. The lines have nothing to do with the photo, as you can scan the photo multiple times and the lines will be in different spots each time, or (if you’re lucky) not there at all. The scanner is a great concept otherwise, with completely acceptable scan quality and the ability to scan to a memory card is great, it just flat out doesn’t work.
23/02 - 2009 at 14:25
I can only scan a few photos and then it quits working. I also have the problem of many photos have a big gray area like it only scanned 10 percent of the photo. Does anyone have solutions for this?
23/02 - 2009 at 21:43
Love this little scanner but don’t know how to delete the scanned images (which I have transferred to my computer) from the memory card. I scan photos, then hook up to my computer and transfer them into Picasa.
26/02 - 2009 at 10:58
Thank you. This was very valuable and helpful.
7/04 - 2009 at 22:35
Same sad experience - excitement for the first 50 photos and then disappointment after that; cleaning, and re-cleaning; calibrating and re-cleaning, etc. Downloading a couple photos & then checking for lines which appeared over and over.
12/06 - 2009 at 20:17
Oh! I was so excited to get this little scanner..and it did wonderfully with about 200 photos and not one line!!! So, I thought WOW I got a good one..So just started to copy 100+ more photos today and then went to take my chip and put into the computer and it says NO PICTURES!!! OK, so I got and calibrate the machine again, clean it and start over, now it really looks like all the pictures are scanning to the chip..YEAH!!! WRONG…Again, NO PICTURES!!
Anyone, have any idea what is going on here>>>
and, yes, I too bought mine from QVC…geez.. Help!!
13/06 - 2009 at 22:06
I have noticed that QVC has this scanner again but the model number has been updated. Does anyone have experience with the new one PANSCN02?
14/06 - 2009 at 22:37
Love the scanner but when I try to rotate a picture, it won’t let me. Very frustrating. Message comes up saying that an error prevents me from saving it. Any ideas? E-mail me Eng1JC@comcast.net
25/06 - 2009 at 1:57
I got mine in March 09. I have scanned 100s of photos. Some shot in the 1920s. Seen no lines. I use the carrier sleeves for every photo/postcard.
Also I can scan directly to the computer when I hook it up to the computer. There is software that has to be installed for it to copy to the computer. If it is not hooked up to the computer it scans to the memory card. The scanner should also show up like a drive under MY COMPUTER and then you can move all the images on the memory card to the computer.
I love it. If my scan is not like the original - I delete and rescan. I wish it had a carry case - and some larger length carrier - like for panoramic photos. Or an enclosed sleeve - so you can scan newspaper clipping without worrying that they will rip.