The CardScan 500 integrates nicely with ACT, GoldMine, Groupwise, Lotus Notes, Lotus Organizer, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Schedule, Sidekick, and other popular programs, while also providing one-touch synchronization with Windows CE and Palm handheld devices. A PC-only device, the CardScan connects to your computer via USB or parallel ports, and can even connect to your digital phone with separately sold Fonesync software and cable.

The CardScan 500 comes backed with a one-year manufacturer's warranty.

Product Description
Simply feed business cards into the CardScan scanner and within seconds, the CardScan software accurately organizes all of the information into an electronic address book. Once the cards are scanned into your computer, you can use CardScan software to manage your contact information. Alternatively, you can easily get the information into the places you keep important contact information.

I purchased the unit and followed the instructions for the set up. During the set up, the user must test the unit by scanning a business card into the scanner. My unit would not pull the business card over the scanner. I re-installed the software, tried again without success.

I contacted Corex customer service, and was given instructions on testing the scanning device. The results of the test indicated the unit was defective. I was instructed to return the unit, at my expense, to Corex customer service in Germany. I had to pay shipping plus customs clearance fees.

After the scanner was 'repaired' it was returned to me. Again, I had to pay customs charges in Thailand. Upon installing the unit, again it would not pull the card through the scanner. Running the same tests, it appeared I had the same or another defective unit.

I contacted Corex in the USA, and requested a new system be shipped to me. I received a nice note from Corex customer service with installation instructions, but no acknowledgement of my request.

Buy from Corex with caution, they do not support their products. Buyer Beware!


Great concept, great software, useful scanner   February 5, 2001
44 out of 45 found this review helpful

I was originally very excited about this product and purchased two, one for myself and one for my brother. The CardScan will enable you to scan most of your business cards and save them in your system, thus having it all at your fingertips. The software is great, allowing you to assign categories to all the contacts, to search for contacts in various ways, and allowing export/import/transfer of data to and from PIMs, utility programs and even to PDAs. I use Outlook at work but I find the CardScan software to be more powerful for contact management.

The scanner works well most of the time. With the Auto Scan feature you can set your cards down and, if all goes right, come back later to verify the information. Cards are rapidly read and the images stored until you verify the accurate placement of the card information into the software fields.

This leads me to one of the major problems with the CardScan. Understandably it's difficult to account for all business card formats, with the contact info. being placed in all possible ways. Corex has not fully figured out how to ensure placement of the card info. into the software fields. Only about 50% of the time was most of the info. properly placed. Otherwise you'll have to go through and cut and paste into the correct fields.

The CardScan does not always cleanly scan the business cards. The software is designed to allow you to compare the scanned image of the card to the fields to which the info. was assigned. Good idea but doesn't work so well. To verify that the card was read properly, you'll have to keep your scanned cards with you. Of course, once it's verified you can put the cards away for good.

Two great features of the CardScan: (1) it allows you to scan the back of the business card and (2) you can make your own entries for those cards that are too difficult to read.


Amazing tool   December 18, 2000
Thomas Vincent (Washington, DC)
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

Worth every penny, see that ugly stack of cards by your keyboard you have been meaning to get rid of for a month. Alittle time and they are gone! As it states, I recommend checking manually each card before accepting. A great tool, only minor complaint is interns generally use the old pc and making sure they have the usb connection is necessary.


Mac Users slighted   November 27, 2000
MaryGail Hutchins (King of Prussia, pa USA)
6 out of 29 found this review helpful

What about us Mac users? We love our Palms also.