Saturday, May 19, 2007 - PlanOn Systems Solutions offers the DocuPen RC800.  This full color handheld scanner is the latest and greatest version of the DocuPen; I tested an older model a couple of years ago.

The RC800 scans full page documents, images, or photographs in either 12 bit or 24 bit color, greyscale, or monochrome.  You can choose low resolution scans (100-200 dpi) or high resolution (400 dpi).  Keep in mind the higher the resolution, the more memory you're eating up.  Scanning an 8 1/2 by 11 page takes about 8 seconds.  You simply start at the top of your document and slowly move down to the bottom.  The built-in 8 megabyte memory can save up 400 scanned items in monochrome.  However, it will only hold 2 full color (24-bit) items at 400 dpi in the on-board memory.  You can add a MicroSD memory card to store more.

Once you've scanned what you need, a USB cable connects the DocuPen to your computer.  The included software will save what you've scanned and clears the memory on the DocuPen; if it's text, the OCR software will save it as a Microsoft word file.

So who needs a DocuPen?  Doug Verkaik, PlanOn's president feels that everybody needs one.

"I think the business traveler would find it invaluable when they travel and gather information and they can go back to their hotel room and fax or email documents to clients or their office," Verkaik told me.  "Students can use it for gathering information from libraries, etc.  Real estate agents, insurance agents, anyone whose on the go and needs to have access to documents."

While the USB cable will recharge the DocuPen while it's plugged in to your computer, PlanOn does offer a Universal Mobile Charger that will provide the DocuPen with about 55 minutes of power in just 15 minutes of charge time.  The charger sells for 70 dollars.

The DocuPen RC800 costs 300 dollars.  Find out more at www.docupen.com.