Positives
- Fast scanning
- Easy to use
- Pre-set workflows
- Document editor
- Unlimited free storage
Negatives
- No iCloud support
- Maximum of 600 DPI
Features
Although they’re not the most compact, none of the three scanner models that Raven provides are too big for your office. They’re easy to set up, too. Just plug the scanner in, connect to the ethernet or Wi-Fi, and once you’ve downloaded a software update, you’re good to go.
By signing up for a free account on the Raven website, you’ll get access to your inbox with unlimited storage. Your inbox is well organized, including folders to store your documents, an archive, and a trash bin. And don’t worry if you have thousands of files to search through because not only does Raven use optical character recognition to add text to scanned documents, but it has an advanced search engine that means you can find the file you need instantly.
Raven’s dashboard offers more than just document storage, though. You can import files from your computer, combine them with documents you’ve already scanned, and then send them to wherever you want. There’s also a handy document editor that allows you to add notes, comments, and a digital signature.
Raven is really made with businesses in mind. For example, there’s the ability to add separate users for your employees – each given their own permissions. Users are also given a dedicated email address to get documents sent directly to their Raven inbox. Of course, it’s common for businesses to scan and send sensitive information, so you want your data to be secure. Raven is completely trustworthy, and thanks to its HIPAA compliance, it’s an ideal solution for companies in the healthcare industry. All your data is protected by AES-256 encryption, and you have the ability to add two-factor authentication.
Scanners
Raven has three different scanners available: Standard, Original, and Pro. The Standard model is the most basic as it lacks the full touchscreen, internet connectivity, and more. Those features are sorely missed, so it’s well worth upgrading to an Original or Pro model.
The Original and Pro touchscreens are impressive. In some other scanners, these are an afterthought that leads to a sluggish interface and outdated firmware. But Raven feels refreshingly modern. The menu is simple too, with just four options: sides, color, quality, and destination. But before we look at those in more detail, there’s one thing we can’t overlook. Raven wastes no space on its dashboard, and the bottom left of the screen is reserved for either hilarious or groan-inducing jokes – depending on how much you appreciate dad jokes.
Scans are double-sided, and you can choose to scan in color, greyscale, or black and white. You’re also able to select scanning quality, with the choice of either 200, 300, 400, or 600 DPI. Scanning at 200 DPI is incredibly fast. In fact, if you’re scanning multiple documents, get ready to catch them as they come flying out of the scanner. Scanning for 600 DPI is fast too, but you’ll have to wait longer for the document to be processed. Unfortunately, 600 DPI is the limit, so Raven isn’t adept at scanning photographs or artwork at the highest quality.
Desktop App
Although you can access all of Raven’s settings through the scanner’s dashboard, there’s a desktop app available for macOS and Windows. Setting up the desktop app is easy. Just choose your Raven scanner model, connect to the internet, and – once you’ve downloaded and installed the drivers – you’re ready to go.
The desktop apps are well designed and easy to use with all the same features found on the touchscreen. However, the desktop app has the addition of workflows. Workflows are pre-saved scanning settings – including size, color, quality, and destinations – so you don’t have to mess around with the settings every time. This is ideal if you want to scan a color document at the highest definition possible before quickly scanning a high volume of paperwork.
Accessories
While you’ll get everything you need for scanning with your Raven scanner, the website does showcase some extra accessories available as well as spare parts. You can buy stamps, power adapters, dust covers, cleaning wipes, screen protectors, and even a stand for your scanner. However, the screen protectors are a little bit expensive at $29.85 – the same price as the scanner stand.
Integrations
Raven has several integrations that let you send files from your scanner directly to an email address, USB device, fax number, and your free Raven account, which has unlimited cloud storage.
But you don’t have to rely on Raven’s own cloud storage. You can also send your documents to Box, Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, and many more cloud solutions. The only notable exception from the list is iCloud, which would be a welcome addition in the future.
Pricing
There are three different Raven scanners to choose from – Standard, Original, and Pro. The Standard is the cheapest at $299, but you can get 10% off the total price by ordering directly from the Raven website – bringing the price down to just $268.85. However, in comparison to Original and Pro, Standard is pretty bare bones. The touch screen is just 1.8 inches wide, and there’s no internet connectivity. So, to get the full range of features, you’ll need to upgrade to either the Original model, which has a first and second generation version, or Pro – the fastest and most advanced Raven scanner.
Every scanner comes with free 2-day shipping in the U.S., but if you get in touch with Raven’s support team, they can arrange overnight shipping. Orders are covered by a 1-year warranty for the software and hardware, with free replacements arriving within two days. Plus, you can return your order in 30 days with proof of purchase for a full refund. Payment can be made with credit cards, PayPal, Amazon Pay, Google Pay, and Shop Pay. You can also pay by check or money order, but you’ll have to contact Raven first.
Customer Service
If you need any help with Raven, then you can get in touch with support by email, text, or over the phone. It’s also possible to get support through Raven’s Facebook and Twitter profiles. However, there’s plenty of online resources to help you through the scanning process. The support page has an extensive troubleshooting and FAQ section that covers virtually every aspect of the scanners and cloud storage. The Raven website also hosts user manuals, but if you want a more visual aid, there are a few tutorials on the company’s YouTube channel.
Bottom Line
It’s difficult for an up-and-coming company to make an impact, but Raven has earned its place among the big names in the industry. Its scanners are ideal for businesses and professionals who have to scan a high volume of documents thanks to the 60 sheets per minute speed. And we like that you can send files by email, fax, or to a large number of storage services – even though we’d love to see Raven add an iCloud integration in the future. Raven is reassuringly safe for businesses too, thanks to its HIPAA compliance and secure AES-256 encryption. Perhaps the only downside is that the scanner doesn’t go beyond 600 DPI, so it’s not the best solution if you need to regularly scan photos or artwork at high resolution. And although Raven isn’t the cheapest around, the time saved from using it makes it well worth the investment.