Scanner recommendations?

Hey everyone.

I have a question for those of you who actually know your way around high-volume scanning gear. Is there even a realistic chance that a budget-friendly scanner can handle a workload of roughly 500 pages a day without immediately kicking the bucket? I’m trying to gauge how much mileage I can realistically get out of a lower-end model before it starts falling apart, and more importantly, if it's even worth attempting repairs once the inevitable breakdown occurs. If we are looking at a price point around $400, what kind of lifespan am I actually looking at here, and which specific models would you recommend as the most reliable workhorses in that bracket?

Thanks.

No way... you actually think it's fixable? Honestly, who knows what's going to die first—the scanning mechanism or the lamp. Most people aren't going to waste their time fixing this junk for the price of a cheap scanner. It’s just not worth the headache...

It really depends on what you're scanning. If it's just loose sheets of paper and not bound documents, then this beast is perfect for that: http://www.finder.com/search.cfm?sear...&button=%C2%A0 (just click the name). If they have one in stock, the Microtek and Artix reps are handled by HSM IT, but their website is a total mess right now...

If not, maybe grab an HP. They usually build things a bit more solidly than the other brands...

Or, you could just go the easy route and get one of those office all-in-one machines with an ADF (automatic document feeder). Those are supposed to be built for heavier workloads anyway...