Portable scanners

[backman]

I have some difficulty in scanning  good images of larger documents and thicker publications on my domestic flat bed scanner.I am looking at some of the portable scanners on the market and wondered if anyone had any experience of these and their pros and cons? Ideally,for example,it would be able to scan a magazine sized publication from side to side rather than top to bottom.Any suggestions as to what are the best options would be welcomed.(Also do any libraries permit the use of these,for personal research rather than reproduction?)
Thanks

[wilfb]

Hi Peter.

Well.... I use my camera. Fast and very effective - plus image manipulation is a doddle. And yes, I have photographed whole books with no problems.

I have used portable scanners but find them not nearly as effective although quite versatile. But no - my camera every time. Even 'phone cameras or ipads and the like are very good.

Give your camera a go (but if you go to the library you will probably get objections to whole books - take them out!).  Most decent libraries also have document copy facilities.  Photographing (copying by other means) are usually permitted using the same rule as per research.

Sarah probably has good experience to offer too...

Will.

[Sarah Rogers]

Hi, I have been thinking about this today.....I am a camera person, or IPad ( I dont have one... ) or phone... the Wellcome institute has a scanner which there is a small charge for, I now have 1898 and 1903 Burdetts!!/ copies of ... it took agaes, but saves expensive trips to London- and there arent many coppies of Burdetts around.
Various archives charge- some do not for a camera licence- The National Archives, kew is free- and stands if you book the right seats... London Met Archive is £5, and  our local one £10.... but so well worth it compared to copying charges, and the cost of repeat trips by train/car.  hampshire is £12--- but they wanted £5/ sheet for copying some London Nurses Co-operation records so a little trip to winchester is on the cards- with my camera.
I wouldnt pay out for another piece of kit if you have a good camera/ phone... and I do  not know what they think about scanners- they might not allow it if it has to touch the document as at home to stop light affecting the image.... So I am with Will on this one... my friends use Ipads often, I have problems downloading my phone onto my study computer.... Good luck, happy researching! Sarah

[wilfb]

Hi.

Good comment... I quite forgot to mention that downloading from mobile phones may be problematic.  If your computer has the correct card readers life becomes easier - though some may baulk against removing the phone chip to use it. Plus some phones - including iphones may need special USB cables to work correctly - though all bits and pieces are readily available and you may already have them with your ipad...

Will

[jock57]

I have a wi-fi printer, which scans and copies photos, it is very handy thing to have, although ink is expensive
so I only print the best photos and keep rest on computer.(remember to back up)  i phone good for photos as well and can store and send to people easily phone to phone with apps. I have a good camera also which can copy  documents. its hard to keep up with it all!