I2S SupraScan Quartz A0 Review | A large bookscanner in 2023

The I2S Suprascan Quartz A0 is the evolution of the old suprascan models that I2S has been building for a while now.

It’s an A0 linear scanner, very old fashioned, but with a reliable design and technical system. Camera is at 90 degrees, lighting is even, so everything is where you would expect.

Also, at A0, i guess you won’t be missing on anything, you should be able to scan just about everything.
I2S SupraScan Quartz A0 Review | A large bookscanner in 2023

ProductAutomation levelScanning areaSpeed (Quality mode)ResolutionScanning glassPrice

I2S SupraScan Quartz A0

I2S SupraScan Quartz A0
ManualA0 (33.1 x 46.8)95 pages / hour600 dpiIncludedClick for more info

Klip Snap

Klip Snap
Semi-Automatic (The user has to turn the page)18.1 in x 11.8 in720 pages / hour300 dpiYesClick for more info

I2S SupraScan Quartz A0 Specifications

Book CradleFlat
Automation levelManual
Scanning areaA0 (33.1 x 46.8)
Speed (Fast mode)136 pages / hour
Speed (Quality mode)95 pages / hour
ConnectivityUSB and Ethernet Lan
Resolution600 dpi
Sensor typeCCD
Color Depth24 bit
SoftwareYooScan
File FormatsTIFF, JPEG, PDF. JPEG 2000, TIFF G4, TIFF LZW, TIFF multipage, PNG, DNG
AccessoriesSupraScan workstation server with scanner interface board ICC chart Usb footswitch
Scanning glassIncluded
Dimensions87.40 x 61.02 x 87.40 in (222 x 155 x 222 cm)
Weight374.8 lbs (170 kg)
Warranty1 year
Features

I2S SupraScan Quartz A0 Accessories and options

Let’s first start with the book cradle of this device. The A0 Suprascan comes with an 180 degree book holder, that is split into two individual frames. Those frames can move up and down individually to scan books, just like a normal book cradle.

Second we have the flat holder, which is recommended when you want to scan loose documents, such as technical plans, maps or even posters.

Add to this the flattening glass and I must say you are in pretty good shape to scan just about anything on it. But the size comes with a drawback, the size of the machine.

It’s bigger than 2m on one side, and not the side you would expect it to be. Also, you get a huge weight for the machine, nearly 200kg. So moving it around without wheels is not the best of ideas. .

I2S SupraScan Quartz A0 features

This is more or less a manual scanner, as the operator has to constantly adjust the book cradle and flattening glass. Besides that, to flip the pages he has to rely on his fingers. But all in all, given the size of the thing, it does not really matter, there are not many bookscanners this big on the market.

As expected, the Suprascan comes with an integrated workstation to control the entire scanning process. It’s quite a delicate thing, so it’s good to have it setup directly from the factory. .

I2S SupraScan Quartz A0 Technical specs

The scanning area is A0, as mentioned before in the description. To be more precise, it’s 33 by 47 inches when you look at the scanning area. This is really big, so normally even the largest standard documents can be scanned on it.

The speed is not impressive at first, given that it’s 140 pages per hour. But just imagine that you are scanning an A0 each time and transferring the data. It’s not fast, but it’s not slow either. It’s a different market altogether when comparing to usual scanners.

Also, it’s good to have a combination of USB and Ethernet, given that a lot of data is transferred back and forth. .

I2S SupraScan Quartz A0 Image quality

The scanning resolution goes up to 600dpi. But in general, the combination between the linear CCD and the light that moves along with the CCD is ideal for perfect lighting.

The images should be even and correctly luminated. It’s not like an area sensor, where you would have slight darkening on the edges, or in some cases a darker center of the image. .

I2S SupraScan Quartz A0 Software & File formats

The Yooscan software was developed by I2S solely to fit the Suprascan, or maybe better, with the Suprascan in mind. It can accommodate both small and large books, but also do some map scanning or even posters.

The output files vary between the usual TIFF, Jpeg and PDF, to even PNG and DNG files. The DNG is very good when you have a back light source to scan transparencies, and I2s knows that this is sometime required. .


I2S SupraScan Quartz A0 vs Klip Snap


Here are the key differences between these two book scanners:

There are not many scanners as different as these two devices. The Klip as you know is a small bookscanner, that works in conjunction with the SV600 as a capturing unit.

On the other hand, the Suprascan is an A0 book and document scanner, that will accommodate both books and large documents. It comes with a linear CCD camera with relatively perfect scanning quality, given its construction.

On the other hand, the KLIP is focused on scanning normal books at normal quality. It offers very affordable scanning for standard projects and even passionate individuals, given it’s low pricing.

The Suprascan is on the expensive side, but it is more focused on high end scanning and projects where image quality is a priority, rather than speed. I think for most individuals, this is a prohibitive device, given that it’s close to 100 thousand dollars.



Read the full review of the Klip Snap


I2S SupraScan Quartz A0
Our Score

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