The Pandigital Photolink One-Touch Scanner

I, like many of you, have hundred of photos taken through the years some being over 60 years old or more. The technology back then wasn't great and I watch the qulaity of the photos deteriorate from color to a pink-orange color and darken until it is hard to tell why they were taken. The choices used to be getting a large scanner and scanning groups of them in, followed with extensive editing to get them to a reasonable facsimile of what you actually scanned.

Recently on QVC, on the technology show, they showed a compact digital scanner that looked very promising. It is called the Pandigital Photolink One-Touch Scanner. We ordered one and waited anxiously for the arrival. (Sounds like we're having a baby.) Once the scanner arrived, I headed for the garage and grabbed a group of photos to see how well it works.

The package includes the scanner, AC adapter, user guide and registration, SD Memory card, Calibration card, roller cleaning sheet, plastic sheath, and a USB cable.

Looking at the instructions, here are some things that you should be aware of:

The unit will store photos on a SD memory card. This means that if you don't want to store them on a computer, you can keep them on the memory card and store the cards as they fill up.

Suitable originals for scanning include 3.5 x 5 inch and 4 x 6 inch photos and business cards.

The instructions say NOT to use the unit for

• originals thicker than 1 mm
• originals with either side shorter than 55 mm
• originals with lots of black or dark colors
• originals with dark colors surrounding the edges.
• Transparencies (slides, filmstrips)
• Printed images (pictures on newspapers, magazines, etc.
• Soft and thin materials (thin paper, cloth)
• Originals larger than listed above.

Sounds like a lot but really isn't. The biggest drawback I saw here was the size if you wanted to scan 8x10s etc. Also the statement not to scan newspaper print. I haven't tested this to see if it really is a problem. All scanned items must be placed in a plastic sheath, only one of which is provided. This I see as a big disadvantage since the sheath is barcoded and is necessary to scan.

Operation is extremely simple. Put the memory card in. Plug in and press the POWER button. Once it stops flashing, you are ready to scan. Place your photo in the sheath and feed barcode end first into the scanner. The unit will grab the sheath and pull it through. You are done. It is scanned.

To download, set up the USB and connect to your computer. Use your preferred software to import and edit.

You are done! You have preserved the pictures. No more fading or lost photos.

Enjoy your Treasured Pasts.

Stuart