Doxie Go Review: Computerless Scanning Made Simple - HTG
The Doxie Go Portable Scanner: A Detailed Review
While portable scanners have been available for some time, the Doxie Go distinguishes itself within this category. This review details our hands-on experience with the device, covering the setup procedure and outlining the benefits that contribute to a clutter-free workspace.
Initial Impressions and Background
It’s important to acknowledge that the Doxie Go isn’t a recent release. However, due to consistent personal use by our team, we felt a comprehensive evaluation was warranted.
For transparency, this review is based on a unit purchased independently; it was not supplied by the manufacturer or any associated parties.
Why Choose the Doxie Go?
The primary advantage of the Doxie Go lies in its ability to significantly reduce paper accumulation. By facilitating easy digitization, it helps maintain an organized inbox and minimizes the need for physical file cabinets.
The scanner’s portability is another key feature. It allows for document scanning in various locations, offering flexibility beyond a traditional office setting.
Setting Up the Doxie Go
The setup process is straightforward and user-friendly. Initial configuration involves connecting the scanner to a computer via USB.
Once connected, the accompanying software guides users through the necessary steps, including driver installation and basic scanner settings.
Key Benefits and Features
- Portability: Its compact design makes it ideal for travel and on-the-go scanning.
- Ease of Use: The scanner is remarkably simple to operate, even for those unfamiliar with document scanning technology.
- Paperless Workflow: It effectively supports a transition towards a more digital and organized document management system.
The Doxie Go is designed to streamline document handling, offering a practical solution for individuals and professionals seeking to reduce paper clutter and enhance organizational efficiency.
Introducing the Doxie Go Portable Scanner
The Doxie Go represents an exceptionally portable scanning solution within the broader Doxie scanner family. A comparison of available models can be found here. Weighing just under a pound – specifically 14.2 ounces – and measuring 10.5" x 1.7" x 2.2", this device delivers substantial functionality in a compact form.
The Doxie Go is capable of scanning standard 8.5" x 11" documents in approximately 8 seconds at a resolution of 300 DPI. It also efficiently handles smaller items like receipts and business cards with increased speed.
While 300 DPI is the default, users can activate a higher 600 DPI mode for enhanced detail simply by pressing the power button during the scanning process.
Designed for Untethered Operation
A key distinction of the Doxie Go is its design for use independent of a computer connection. It features 512MB of built-in memory, allowing storage for around 600 scanned document pages.
Alternatively, it can store approximately 2400 scans of 4"x6" photographs. For extended scanning sessions or increased storage capacity, the Doxie Go offers both SD card and USB flash drive compatibility via dedicated expansion ports.
These ports accept FAT formatted storage media, providing a straightforward method for expanding the device’s memory.
Understanding the Doxie Go’s Purpose
It’s crucial to define what the Doxie Go is not to fully appreciate its capabilities. This isn’t a large, traditional flatbed scanner geared towards extensive photo archiving.
Nor is it a high-volume, commercial sheet-fed scanner designed for rapid processing of lengthy documents, such as a 40-page mortgage. The Doxie Go is specifically engineered as an ultra-portable scanner.
Its primary goal is to simplify scanning in various locations – be it a café, a job site, or the comfort of your home – and to seamlessly transfer scanned data to computers, applications, and cloud services.
Over recent weeks, we thoroughly tested the Doxie Go to evaluate its performance and determine if it lives up to its promise of a streamlined scanning experience. We will now detail the setup process, usage, and data transfer methods to assess the practicality of its user-friendly design.
Unboxing the Doxie Go: A Component Overview
The Doxie Go package contains more than just the scanner itself; several accompanying items enhance its functionality. Included alongside the core hardware are a USB Mini-B cable, a quick start guide, a cleaning tool, a white calibration card, and a protective black plastic sleeve.
Included Accessories: A Closer Look
The USB cable serves a dual purpose, facilitating both the charging of the device and the transfer of scanned data from its internal storage or connected SD/USB drives. Proper image quality relies on the calibration card, which is essential during initial setup and for occasional realignment if needed.
A cleaning tool is also provided, consisting of a plastic rectangle covered in a microfiber cloth, designed for maintaining the scanner's surface. The black plastic sleeve is specifically intended to safeguard delicate documents and photographs during the scanning process.
Practical Applications of Each Component
While the calibration card is crucial for accurate scans, a standard clean, white 8.5" x 11" sheet of paper can be substituted if the original is misplaced. The plastic sleeve, though seemingly unnecessary for robust photos, proves invaluable when handling fragile items.
For instance, old receipts or easily damaged paper IDs benefit significantly from the sleeve's protection, preventing them from being creased or torn as they pass through the scanner. The Doxie website’s promotional materials even demonstrate scanning photos directly, without the sleeve, for stiffer materials.
Ultimately, each component contributes to a streamlined and effective scanning experience with the Doxie Go.
Setting Up Your Doxie Go
The Doxie Go setup involves two key steps: configuring the device itself and installing the necessary software on your computer. Begin by unpacking the Doxie and removing the protective film from its white casing. Then, connect the included USB cable to a USB port on your computer, or a USB charger if preferred.
While the Doxie ships with a partial battery charge, it requires approximately one hour to reach full capacity. A complete charge from empty takes around two hours. It’s important to note that the Doxie Go cannot operate while connected via USB.
A single full battery charge allows for roughly 100 scans, which is less than the 600 document scans the internal storage can accommodate. For extended scanning sessions, such as during a movie marathon, consider purchasing the $10 external power adapter. This adapter connects to the headphone-like jack located near the USB Mini-B port.
Installing the Software
The battery charging period is an ideal time to install the companion software. Visit the Doxie Go download page and obtain the latest version of the software.
The software is compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems. Launch the downloaded installation application and follow the on-screen instructions. The Doxie does not need to be connected to the computer during installation; we installed the software on a laptop while the Doxie charged via a desktop PC’s USB port.
Connection to a computer is only required when transferring scanned files.
Upon installation completion, the Doxie document portal will appear.
If the Doxie is plugged in, you may experience some confusion. Connecting the Doxie via USB initially activates charging mode. To access the document portal and transfer files, you must press the power button on the Doxie to mount the storage.
Calibrating the Scanner
Calibration can be performed even if the Doxie isn't fully charged. Disconnect the device, press the power button to activate it, and then feed the calibration card (with the barcode facing forward) into the scanner.
A small plastic slider on the feed side can be used to ensure the card feeds in straight. The calibration process is silent; successful completion is indicated by the card exiting the scanner cleanly.
After calibration, reconnect the Doxie to complete its initial full charge. The amber indicator light will turn off when charging is finished.
Utilizing the Doxie Go Scanner
The operation of the Doxie Go is remarkably uncomplicated. Position the scanner on a stable, flat surface – a desk or table is ideal, avoiding unstable placements like a sharply angled couch back. Initiate the device by pressing and maintaining pressure on the power button.
Both the power button indicator and the adjacent bar will initially flash. Once the power button dims and the bar illuminates steadily, the scanner is ready for use.
Scanning Your Documents
To scan, simply feed documents face up into the Doxie Go. As previously noted, a small plastic slider allows adjustment to accommodate varying document widths.
For delicate materials such as receipts or thin paper, utilize the plastic guide to ensure smooth feeding. Stiffer items like business cards, brochures printed on card stock, or photographs can be fed directly into the scanner.
Provided the material possesses some rigidity and a straight edge, it should advance without issue.
Handling Paper Jams
Scanned items will exit the device and deposit neatly on the surface below. Should the rollers fail to grip the paper or a jam occur, avoid forcefully removing the document.
Instead, press and hold the power button. This will reverse the rollers, ejecting the jammed paper safely.
Continue scanning until all documents are processed, or until the device runs out of power or storage capacity.
Retrieving Your Scanned Documents
The Doxie Go preserves all captured scans as high-resolution JPEG images, stored either in its internal memory or on an external USB drive or SD card if one is connected. Technically, users can bypass the Doxie software entirely and directly transfer these JPEGs to a computer, a necessity for those using Linux as no native Linux software is available.
Utilizing the Doxie Software
However, foregoing the Doxie software means missing out on its beneficial features. To begin, after completing the installation process, connect your Doxie Go to your computer via USB and switch it to storage mode by pressing the power button.
Launching the Doxie software will display a screen prompting you to press the "Import" button, located in the upper right corner. The import process will then commence, providing a preview of each document as it's processed, ultimately displaying all imported scans within the main panel.
Scan Adjustments and Workflow
The software allows for various adjustments, including document rotation, contrast modification, and alignment correction. We discovered that, aside from orienting documents correctly, minimal adjustments were typically needed.
Minor imperfections, such as slight skewing, often don't warrant correction, especially for archival purposes like credit card bills. While the Doxie software’s correction tools function effectively, we prioritized a swift workflow.
The Doxie software excels in its simplicity and speed. If you've scanned multiple pages intended to remain together, the "Staple" function can associate them before converting to a PDF, as demonstrated with these three receipts from a recent project.
Saving and Exporting Options
Saving documents is also a rapid process. A key strength of the Doxie software is its lack of intrusive document management features. Its primary function is to transfer scanned documents from the Doxie to another destination.
The choice of destination is left to the user’s preference. If you simply wish to scan, save to a folder, and discard the original paper, the "Save" button allows you to select the desired file type and location.
For users of Evernote or other local applications, the "Send" button facilitates direct file transfer.
Cloud Storage Integration
Integration with cloud storage services like Dropbox is also supported.
After saving, sending, or exporting to the cloud, you will be asked whether to retain the documents on the Doxie’s storage or delete them.
Image Quality Assessment of the Doxie Go
The Doxie Go defaults to a resolution of 300 DPI, though a 600 DPI option is available by simply double-tapping the power button. Despite this feature being present, it’s probable that most users will find 300 DPI sufficient for typical scanning tasks like documents, receipts, and business cards.
To evaluate the Doxie Go’s image quality, we compared its output to that of a standard consumer flatbed scanner – the Canon LiDE 110. Both devices were set to 300 DPI and color, with no post-scan adjustments made to the images. The resulting scans were cropped identically and presented side-by-side for direct comparison, with the Doxie Go’s scan consistently displayed on the left.
Black and White Text Scan
When scanning black and white text, such as the fine print on the Doxie Go’s quick-start guide, the Doxie produced noticeably whiter whites and darker, crisper text. This suggests the device employs automatic contrast enhancement and white balancing to simplify the scanning process for common paperwork.
Mixed Graphics and Text Scan
Using a Pokémon card as our test subject, we observed that the Doxie Go’s enhanced contrast resulted in a slight loss of faint background detail. While the device captured all elements of the image, the artwork appeared somewhat softened.
The flatbed scanner retained finer details within the drawing, which were slightly blurred in the Doxie’s scan. For quickly archiving convention materials, the Doxie’s output is adequate, but it doesn’t match the clarity of a flatbed scanner.
Photograph Scan
Our final test involved scanning a photograph. Again, the Doxie Go delivered a darker and softer image compared to the flatbed scanner. While suitable for quick reference and archiving non-critical materials, such as magazine clippings, the Doxie’s output lacks the precision of a dedicated desktop scanner.
For archiving photos or documents requiring accurate reproduction, a consumer-grade flatbed scanner demonstrably provides superior scanning quality. This difference is likely attributable to the Doxie’s rolling scan mechanism versus the flatbed scanner’s stationary scanning head.
A Comprehensive Evaluation of the Doxie Go
We undertook a thorough assessment of the Doxie Go scanner, utilizing it in diverse settings – from office environments to casual locations like coffee shops and even teachers' lounges. A wide array of materials were processed, including receipts, appointment cards, business cards, magazine clippings, newspaper articles, index cards, photographs, and artistic drawings. Documents were transferred directly to computers, integrated with applications such as Evernote, and uploaded to cloud-based storage solutions. Following this extensive testing, we’ve arrived at a conclusive evaluation.
Key Advantages
- Its remarkably light weight and compact design facilitate effortless portability.
- The device boasts exceptional simplicity in operation.
- Scanning can be performed independently of a computer connection.
- This ease of use significantly encourages consistent document scanning.
- The expandable storage capacity, via removable media, allows for convenient upgrades and data transfer.
- Compatibility with the Eye-Fi Wi-Fi SD card enables wireless scan transmission to computers (requires a separate $30 card and impacts battery performance).
- The bundled software efficiently directs documents to local storage, preferred applications, or cloud platforms, often with a single action.
Areas for Improvement
- The scanner lacks duplex scanning capability, which may be a significant drawback depending on the scanning requirements.
- It is not ideal for high-volume scanning tasks due to the absence of an automatic document feeder and a comparatively slow scanning speed.
- The internal battery provides sufficient power to fill only approximately one-sixth of the default internal storage capacity.
- It cannot be powered via a USB connection and necessitates a $10 external power adapter; a product with a $199 MSRP should include this essential accessory.
- The plastic construction feels somewhat fragile, and moderate pressure can noticeably distort the document feed area.
- Despite being designed for portability, the Doxie Go is not supplied with a protective case or sleeve (available for purchase at $30); a product at this price point should include basic protection against dust and damage.
- Software support for Linux operating systems is absent (though basic scan-and-dump functionality remains available).
Final Assessment: While our list of drawbacks is substantial, and we believe the inclusion of basic accessories would have been prudent, we are generally satisfied with the Doxie Go. Although it may not be the most fully-featured or powerful portable scanner currently available, it excels in its user-friendliness. Professionals in diverse fields, from financial planning to firearms instruction, will attest to the importance of utilizing the most accessible tool. In this respect, the Doxie Go minimizes the obstacles between contemplating document scanning and actually completing the task.
Before evaluating the Doxie, we possessed a functional flatbed scanner that, aside from occasional urgent scans, remained largely unused and accumulated dust. The existing software was cumbersome, lacked a streamlined workflow for integration with our preferred systems, and its fixed location meant scanning required being physically present at the computer. By keeping the Doxie readily accessible in a bag or within the living room, we eliminated any resistance to scanning documents as they were received, mail was opened, or paperwork was processed during leisure time.
The primary benefit of the Doxie Go lies in its convenience; once an initial backlog is addressed, future accumulation is unlikely due to the ease with which documents can be scanned as they arise, and then efficiently transferred to their designated digital destinations.
If a duplex scanner for on-site work, connected to a laptop, is required, the Doxie Go may not be the optimal choice. However, if the goal is to conquer a persistent pile of paperwork, manage new business cards, and digitize accumulating bills for a comprehensive archiving and workflow system, the Doxie Go presents a compelling solution.