Canoscan LIDE 300 or 400 or...?

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Level 1

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Canoscan LIDE 300 or 400 or...?

I upgraded to Mac OS Catalina (10.15.04), so now my dependable old Canoscan LIDE 70 will no longer work. I understand it's because it's only a 32 bit machine, and Catalina only works with 64 bit.

So that means I either have to get 1) an external hard drive or virtual OS in Mac OS Mohave (10.14), which worked with my Canoscan LIDE 70. Such things already go beyond my technical understanding, Or 2) a new Canoscan in 64 bit. #2, a new scanner, appears to be my simplest choice.

So now money enters in here, as well, but I'm guessing price will be about the same. Since Canon products have always worked so well with Mac, I would prefer staying with Canon, though others are advising to go to Epson.

So that's my discussion. Here's my questions.

I am only an occasional user of the scanner but it's come in very handy for reproducing photographs or producing online photographs of high quality (or so it seems to me). I don't need a professional quality scanner.

What would you recommend for a 64 bit scanner — the Canoscan LIDE 300 or 400?
I used to use a Canoscan toolbox to interface with the scanner, but that disappeared with Catalina. So will I need a VueScan (9x.7x.27) for 64 bit (about $40 for a basic), or does Apple make an appropriate interface for a Canoscan?

I sincerely appreciate any knowledgeable help I am offered!

Doknyx

iMac 21.5", macOS 10.14

Posted on May 1, 2020 12:57 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Old Toad

Level 10

216,100 points

May 1, 2020 2:15 PM in response to Doknyx

Neither scanner has a driver for Catalina at the Canon site. Have you tried the VueScan demo to see if it will work with your current scanner? I use it for both my Canon scanners (Canon MG7700 and CanoScan 8600F) and it's far more versatile and powerful than what came with the scanners.

If resolution is primary get the LIDE 400. It has double the resolution capability of the 300

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Answer 2

VikingOSX

Level 10

124,016 points

May 1, 2020 3:32 PM in response to Doknyx

VueScan requires the 32-bit Canon drivers for Snow Leopard to drive the old LiDE 70 scanner, and one needs the 32-bit version of VueScan to do it. Not a viable solution on Catalina.

The 64-bit VueScan supports the LiDE 300 and 400 on macOS without any Canon software or drivers.

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Answer 3

Old Toad

Level 10

216,100 points

May 2, 2020 1:49 PM in response to Doknyx

VueScan is 64 bit and works fine with Catalina.

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Answer 4

VikingOSX

Level 10

124,016 points

May 1, 2020 6:54 PM in response to Doknyx

I have owned VueScan Professional for ten years, and never have paid an upgrade/update fee. I still use it on a Canon scanner that Canon no longer supported when I purchased VueScan. VueScan will provide you with all the interface you will need for the LiDE 400 scanner.

I receive no beneft from the VueScan vendor for its mention in the Apple Support Communities.

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Answer 5

VikingOSX

Level 10

124,016 points

May 2, 2020 5:12 AM in response to Doknyx

The Professional version has more to do with your not being charged for future product updates, than it does with professional features. The small incremental expense between the standard and professional versions is easily recovered without future product upgrade expense. That is why I purchased the Professional version, and have never experienced additional VueScan expense.

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Answer 6

May 2, 2020 1:25 PM in response to Doknyx

Look for a software called Vuescan. It will make ur scanner good as new.

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Answer 7

Doknyx Author

Level 1

10 points

May 1, 2020 5:58 PM in response to VikingOSX

Thanks VikingOSX,

It looks like my simplest solution is to trash or give away my perfectly good CanoScan LiDE70, and buy a new LiDE400, plus I'll have to buy the 64 bit VueScan (since I have not read that the CanoScan LiDE400 includes an interface between my iMac and the scanner). It's turning out that the "free" OS Catalina is pretty expensive, after all!

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Answer 8

Doknyx Author

Level 1

10 points

May 1, 2020 5:50 PM in response to Old Toad

Thanks, OT.

The VueScan demo doesn't even recognize the existence of my current CanoScan LIDE70. Actually, the icon was struck out as soon as I went to OS Catalina (as I had been told would happen).

Does the CanoScan LIDE400 come with its own interface for my iMac and OS Catalina?

If not, what I'm wondering is if the VueScan will link to a new CanoScan LIDE400. If so, that's an overall expense for both of about $140 before taxes, which isn't all that much, but it certainly means my download of OS Catalina was not free!

Doknyx

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Answer 9

Old Toad

Level 10

216,100 points

May 2, 2020 10:42 AM in response to Doknyx

Did you turn on the scanner before you launched VueScan? Up until a couple of versions ago of VueScan only the 32 bit VueScan would recognize my Canon 8600F scanner. Now the latest version will run on Catalina and recognize the scanner. I was hoping it would be the same with your scanner.

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Answer 10

VikingOSX

Level 10

124,016 points

May 2, 2020 11:33 AM in response to Old Toad

VueScan has a note (scroll near the bottom of the page) regarding 32-bit drivers, and the 32-bit version of VueScan to drive the LiDE 70. Very contrary to Catalina support.

"This scanner is supported on Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) and later if you first install the Canon drivers for Mac OS X 10.6 or later (these will work on newer versions of Mac OS X). Also, run the x32 (not x64) version of VueScan with these drivers."

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Answer 11

VikingOSX

Level 10

124,016 points

May 2, 2020 12:22 PM in response to Old Toad

Have no idea, unless the Hopper Disassembler broke. 😎

There are other scanners, though not wide-spread, and not just from Canon, where VueScan requires vendor drivers installed to support the device. Always worth looking at the specific scanner comments from Hamrick before assuming support without drivers.

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Answer 12

Doknyx Author

Level 1

10 points

May 2, 2020 1:21 PM in response to Old Toad

Thanks for the communication, OT,

I installed the VueSan sample while my 32-bit Canonscan LIDE70 was still plugged in and operational. VueScan immediately sent me a message saying it can find no scanner. The entire difference is Catalina: won't work with 32-bit applications.

Doknyx

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Answer 13

Doknyx Author

Level 1

10 points

May 1, 2020 5:54 PM in response to TheLittles

Thanks TheLittles,

I'll look at this, but I am not really very tech-savvy. If I get a virtual OS Mojave going, that would suit me fine. Do not want any virtual Windows on my iMac, however.

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