Image Access WideTEK CIS scanner Contex large format scanners

THE MARKET:

UK Contex Crystal price slashed by 47%

New Contex Crystal list price - everything but the kitchen sink

Art Systems, the UK distributor of Contex wide format scanners, has reduced the cost of a Contex Crystal G600 Plus scanner by 47% compared to the list price of September 2006. In addition, the Contex Hawk-Eye G36 has seen its list price reduced by 40% over the same period.

In future, the UK list price of the Contex Crystal G600 Plus scanner will be just £6995, a remarkable new low price which includes both the floorstand and WIDEimage scanning software, extras that previously cost more. One year ago the same configuration cost £13,150, making the new price a reduction of £6155. The Contex Crystal is supported with a standard Two Year Return To Base (Nottingham) Warranty.

Art Systems originally introduced the Contex Crystal's new price as a Special Offer only "available until the end of May 2007, pricing subject to change without notice". Scanners4CAD can reveal that this Special Offer has been ongoing since May and is now here to stay! In fact, Art Systems have advised Scanners4CAD to update its Wide Format Scanner Comparison Chart to reflect the new Contex Crystal list price of just £6995.

At the same time, Art Systems have adjusted the UK list price of the Contex Hawk-Eye G36 Base scanner. Its new price is £6250, down from £10,420 in September 2006. This price includes JETimage Pro software (£1295) but no floorstand, an optional extra at £375. It is supported with the same Two Year Return To Base Warranty.

Contex Crystal
The new Contex Crystal list price
of just £6995 includes WIDEimage

scanning software and a floorstand.

CAD users wanting to take advantage of the new list prices should attempt to find the extra £745 to buy the Crystal as it is a more encompassing scanning solution than the Hawk-Eye, especially for scanning detailed CAD technical drawings and raster to vector conversion. With its 508 dpi optical resolution, the 42" wide Crystal G600 Plus is better equipped to capture technical drawings with fine line details at a higher resolution than the 200 dpi Hawk-Eye.

Scanners4CAD believes the new list price is in response to the growing popularity of Colortrac scanners in the UK which began with the launch of the SmartLF range of CIS scanners and, more importantly, the recent launch of the SmartLF Gx 42 range of CCD scanners which share technical specifications similar to the Contex Crystal. Both the Crystal and the SmartLF Gx are 42" wide, colour CCD scanners with 508 and 600 dpi optical resolution respectively. Unlike the 36", 200 dpi Hawk-Eye, the Crystal has the specifications and features to take on the SmartLF Gx range.

We asked Jon Jordan, Scanning Solutions Product Manager, Art Systems, "why have you reduced the list price?"

Jordan was clear. "It's to have a more competitive product to sell in the UK market. Art Systems are pleased to offer a fully featured colour CCD scanner like the Contex Crystal G600 at such a price, real value for money! At just £6995 the Contex Crystal G600 package includes the scanner, the Plus upgrade kit, a floorstand and WIDEimage scanning software, all with a Two Year Return To Base (Nottingham) Warranty.

"The Crystal G600 was chosen because it has a 42" scanning width, monochrome scanning at 12 ips and 24-bit colour scanning at 1 ips at 400 dpi Turbo. The Crystal G600 is ideally suited for all reprographics and scan to file archival and CAD conversion users with a high optical resolution of 508 dpi equivalent to 600 dpi" claimed Jordan. "It allows affordable, accurate scanning from the leading producer of large format scanners, Contex."

Many UK CAD users attracted by the power of the Contex brand name will be tempted to invest in the Contex Crystal at the new low price. Indeed, said Jordan, "Already Art Systems' Contex scanner turnover is up although our profits are down".

Contex have not scrimped on this UK promotion. They have thrown everything into the new list price. Scanners4CAD finds it surprising that the kitchen sink from Contex's Alleroed head office is not in the package as well. Given the high prices of Contex scanners in the past, it is hard to find fault with this "Special Offer".

Scanners4CAD will be looking at the implications of this offer for CAD users and the market in greater depth soon.

Click here to return to the main News and Views page.