I think their lack of UK popularity is due to many reasons, but the ones that seem the most likely to me are:
(a) most UK windows open outwards (and so you cannot shut/lock shutters from the inside. I’d be interested to know which way Scandinavian window design went).
(b) people who like shutters for aesthetic reasons are more likely to dislike uPVC windows (v.large generalisation!) and most reasonably priced continental shutters are roller ones (e.g. plastic or metal)
(c) because you do need permission if you put them outside the house in a conservation area.

I’m putting shutters on my house (French partner) and consequently am going to go the internal shutter route to get around two of the above.

After reading this post, I figured I was having the same problem. However, I noticed that it was very humid in our office today…and as I think back was on that previous day also. Assuming that is had to do with an “unclean” mirror, I took the small piece of glass off the left side, and pointed my fan to blow air into the opening, and therefore around the scan head.

Did this for a couple minutes, plugged it back in a voila, works like a charm again. I suspect that the humidity was causing that mirror to fog up, maybe more so it there are contaminants on it, but this was quicker for me.

THANKS!

Oh, and a recent detailed comparison of the market leaders here.