Home > Consumer Reviews > Microtek ScanMaker 3600 USB Flatbed Scanner (PC/Mac)

This scanner and the software were easy to set up and mostly worked fine. Unfortunately on the relatively little bug in the software I can get NO REPLY from the company to my questions. Amazon has been great, but after spending over ten hours trying to get help from Microtek, reading everything pertinent (and a lot that's not) on their website, sending three emails to the place they tell me to send them and waiting over two weeks for any reply at all, I'm not very happy. I will not buy anything from this company again because I'm afraid if it DOESN'T work I won't get any help.

We have had many problems with this scanner. Please be aware that they do NOT have a toll-free phone number, and when we called their "technicians", we had to pay the long distance phone bill. Not to mention that the "technicians" told us that they didn't know what was wrong, but we still have to pay a 30 min. phone bill. Plus, if we want to get it repaired, the product must be shipped to California and THEY WILL NOT PAY SHIPPING. Also, in order to get the light bulb replaced, you have to send the scanner to California. The product does not allow you to replace the light bulb yourself. We will never own another Microtek scanner.

I bought this scanner about 15 months ago. The bulb broke after 8 months of light use, and was replaced under warranty. (I paid shipping.) Now, the bulb has gone out again, and the product is no longer under warranty. Microtek says it will be $80 - $100 (plus shipping) to fix. Might as well buy a new scanner. I don't recommend buying this scanner.

I do like the software. All settings are customizable. The software has many more features than HP scanners I have used in the past. Plus, it is switchable between basic and advanced user interfaces.

Bottom line, don't buy this scanner.

This is a good, inexpensive scanner. It is not very fast, but it gets the job done. Quality is good. Set-up was relatively easy. I really like the size. We use it in our office and it is easy to move from one computer to another. My biggest complaint is the software. There is not adequate documentation with the software. You have to figure out too much of the software. Basically, you get what you pay for.

I got this for my birthday 2 weeks and 1 year ago (just outside the warranty period). Luckily for me, it was a gift, so I didn't have to pay for this piece of fine craftmanship. Anyway, after over an hour of tearing this thing apart, I finally found the bulb. Can you believe it? The problem is, as it has already been stated in older comments, the bulb is not replaceable. It's actually attached to a circuitry board (the one that is below the sticky cover) on the bottom side. It is easy enough to take off, so why can't they send a replacement part? Why do they have you send it back in? My theory is that they receive your scanner back at their factory, and then they switch out the old part with a new one, put it in a brand new box, and resell it. Talk about a way to make a profit. It's too bad that the geniuses behind this plan didn't think about how mad their customers would get about it. I will never use Microtek again, as long as I live.