Test: The scanner Doxie Go

The Doxie Go is not only a handheld scanner, but also completely autonomous. The manufacturer of the Doxie goes beyond the logic of a product by integrating mobile scanner to a battery and internal memory. What to take with you the Doxie Go without a computer and scan your documents anyway. Is it right? Response in this test...

Equipment 
 
The Doxie Go comes in the shape of a rectangle white and black, which contrasts with a sober hearts pink Doxie. The white surface on top is only broken by the product name in black letters on the left and the only button on the right of the product. The set looks pretty solid, although the internal mechanics is rather fragile: better to be gentle enough and avoid dropping too often the Doxie Go On the front we find the slot where the items to be scanned will be dragged. On the rear, the Doxie Go provides the user with its two output interfaces. The product has an internal memory of 500 MB enough, according to the manufacturer, to store up to 600 A4 pages or 2400 photos, but you'll be able to extend its capabilities by inserting an SD card or even a USB stick. 

Finish around the house with the left side where there are two connectors: a micro-USB port which serves both to recharge the Doxie Go to unload items scanned on a computer. The second port is unused and blocked by default, but can be used to recharge the unit if you buy an adapter. Note however that any USB charger will do the trick very well. The operation of the Doxie Go is extremely simple. Start by recharging the battery by connecting the scanner to a USB powered, either a computer or USB charger. Once the battery is charged, you must still pass the calibration card supplied with the product before going to your documents.

The Doxie Go has only one button: Pressing and holding a lighter and off or just drag a document to be scanned into the slot to start the operation. The face to be scanned must be positioned up and out the document on the other side. For a duplex, you must repeat the operation a second time and then assemble the documents on the computer. Add the Doxie Go will extinguish itself to save battery when not in use. By default, the Doxie Go scans all documents in color and 300 dpi. The result is correct to simply keep track of an invoice, but for a photo or a more complex document, it is not always enough. A short press the button on the scanner allows to switch to high-quality: the green LED then goes to orange and the Doxie Go to 600 dpi.

At normal quality, it takes about eight seconds for the passage of an A4 sheet, then six more seconds to process and saving a document. Count and total just under 15 seconds at 300 dpi to scan a page, knowing that the following will be taken automatically after completion of treatment. In this capacity, an A4 page containing mostly text and some simple graphics (a bill) weighs about 650 KB. 

By switching to the superior quality, processing time is lengthened seriously. Allow 35 seconds for the A4 passes completely, then another 14 seconds for processing. It should thus have 50 seconds for a page at 600 dpi and the resulting files are also much larger. The same invoice printed on an A4 sheet weighs 2.6 MB this time as well say that this quality has a significant impact on both the storage capacity of the Doxie Go on autonomy. By default, this is the internal memory of 500 MB which will be used to store scanned files with the Doxie Go If you connect a USB or SD card, however, such storage media automatically take over. The scanner starts by analyzing the media to determine if it can use: Only FAT volumes are supported and you have enough space available for use. Our tests with two sticks have proved fruitless, however ... 

The manufacturer offers two versions of the Doxie Go, one of which can automatically send scanned images via WiFi. This version actually uses a Eye-Fi SD card and you can always turn a posteriori a standard product by simply buying a card of this type. The SD card slot on the back will be in charge and scanned items are automatically sent to a computer or mobile device.

The manufacturer claims a range of around 100 scans with a fully charged Doxie Go. The actual time of course depends on the type of scanned document - the operation takes longer for an A4 sheet for a card - but also on quality choice or use a USB key to store documents.

In general, the autonomy of the Doxie Go is not as important as expected and it will be better off with a USB charger or a computer to recharge regularly. 300 dpi mode, transactions are quick and fast ... scroll the pages as much as time to go. Unfortunately, charging is longer than the discharge: count two hours depending on the manufacturer.

Point which is important if you intend to scan pages from a library: the sound. The Doxie Go is a good student on this point because he knows how to be discreet, especially 600 dpi mode. In any case, it should not interfere too much people around you, but it will allow sufficient space on either side on a table to let the documents. The Doxie Go is a portable scanner and its manufacturer has decided to facilitate its transport. You will find in the box and storage bag faux velvet struggling to hide his plastic side, but that will be useful to store the scanner. You can even slip in the USB cable and the little cleaning tool also provided. Finally, note that the product comes with a pocket dedicated to photos, but we did not find any interest in using it, notwithstanding the protection of the document....