Scanner Bin – The Clever Document Scanning Solution
$12.95
Price: $12.95
(as of Jan 13, 2025 12:11:43 UTC – Details)
Product Description
Three uses for the Scanner Bin
Scan documents
Use as a desk-side bin
Use as a document camera
We stand behind our product Get quick answers to any questions If you are missing anything on the packing list, let us know and we’ll send it If you are not satisfied, we will make it right
What is it?
The Scanner Bin is a carefully designed camera stand that works with your smartphone to scan documents. When it’s not used for scanning, it serves as a bin to hold the papers that you want to scan later.It eliminates the common problems with scanning documents by consistently aligning your phone to the paper, controlling the lighting, providing a contrasting background, and holding paper flat.
Recommended scanning apps: Adobe Scan (most recommended), Scanbot, Evernote Scannable, Camscanner, Photomyne (photos), Prizmo Go (blind & visually impaired) Designed, manufactured and packed in the USA The Scanner Bin is protected by US Patent 9,742,952 and additional patents pending The Scanner Bin logo is a registered trade mark (Reg. No. 6,068,171)
How does Scanner Bin improve the smartphone scanning performance?
Controlled lighting
Issues: glare on glossy paper (like photographs and many mailed letters), shadows cast by your hand/phone or other sources, scanning software tries to over-correct for lighting uniformity and makes text illegibleSolution: for glossy documents, keep the flash off, and position the scanner bin so that a light source can illuminate the paper without large shadows. The Scanner Bin will block the light from the other directions, including overhead. For further improvement, you can purchase the LED add-on kit. For non-glossy documents, keep the flash on and block unwanted light with the Scanner Bin.
How does Scanner Bin improve the smartphone scanning performance?
Auto-crop with contrasting background
Issues: scanning apps have a handy feature that detects the edges of the paper and cuts out the rest of the background automatically. However, it only works if the paper and the background are different colors. Solution: the Scanner Bin provides a consistent backdrop that contrasts with most colors of paper so that the scanning app software can easily detect the edges of the paper and automatically crop the image accordingly.
How does Scanner Bin improve the smartphone scanning performance?
Consistently aligning the smartphone to the scanned object
Issue: when you scan with your smartphone, you need to hold the phone in the proper position, relative to the scanned object. This can slow down the process or cause issues with the image quality.Solution: the Scanner Bin utilizes adhesive foam bumpers to position your phone in the same location for each scan and allows for hands-free scanning with your smartphone.
How does Scanner Bin improve the smartphone scanning performance?
Scanning folded paper
Issue: flatbed scanners (although painfully slow) have a significant advantage over smartphones when it comes to scanning folded paper (most letters and receipts)Solution: sold separately, we provide a carefully-selected transparent “Flat Sheet” (8.5″x11″) that can be placed over the paper to keep it flat for scanning
Controlled lighting
Auto-cropping
Shaking hands or alignment issues
Scanning folded paper
Scanning with your phone achieves higher image resolution than 1200 DPI in a fraction of the time
Add to Cart
Add to Cart
Customer Reviews
4.1 out of 5 stars
1,194
3.9 out of 5 stars
692
3.7 out of 5 stars
25
Price
$12.95$12.95
— $8.95$8.95
Typical Customer
Those with movement disorders or visual impairment Anyone who needs to scan documents, photos, receipts, or other objects Anyone who wants to improve the performance of their Scanner Bin
Compatibility
Smartphones and tablets Smartphones Either Scanner Bin version
Set-up process
Simplified Assemble Top Panel, Insert Side Panels, Setup LED panels Attach LED panel to Easy Setup Scanner Bin or use Stabilizers and LED Panel to illuminate from two directions on Adjustable Scanner Bin
Adjustability
Limited Distance of smartphone to document, position of smartphone, position and distance of LED strip Position of LED strip
LED lighting
not included From two directions From one direction
Flat sheet for scanning folded paper
not included Included Included
Scanning platform size
9.5″ wide x 14″ long up to 12.5″ x 17.5″ not applicable
Scanner Bin included?
✓
✓
Sold separately
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the equivalent DPI? You can achieve better resolution than the 1200 DPI settings on leading flatbed and photo scanners. Does it come with an app? No, it is designed to work with all popular scanning and camera apps. Recommended app settings? If the item is not glossy, then use the flash of the smartphone. If the item is glossy, use an external light source (like our LED kit). Tap the screen to focus on text or lighten an area. Select “auto color” in Adobe Scan and “lighten” or “magic color” in CamScanner. Is this cardboard? Yes. We evaluated the use of a variety of materials and cardboard gets the job done at the lowest possible cost. Which devices are compatible? We are unaware of any smartphone models that do not work with the Scanner Bin if you use scanning apps that do not automatically zoom in. The Scanner Bin is not optimized for use with tablets, but some do work.
Flatbed scanners simply cannot compete with your smartphone and a Scanner Bin. Improved resolution and color rendering compared to popular flatbed scanners. Compare to 1200 DPI. Takes a fraction of the time to scan at a fraction of the cost. Not to mention that flatbed scanners end up adding a lot of hazardous e-waste to your local landfill.
Solve the common issues with smartphone scanning. Provides a contrasting background for consistent edge-detection and auto-cropping. Controls the lighting and provides stability and proper positioning while you scan with your smartphone.
Scan photographs, receipts, letters, notes, artwork, fragile documents, etc. Also used as an aid for the blind or visually impaired or as a document camera for remote learning. When you aren’t scanning, turn on its side to use as a desk-side bin to toss in the items you want to scan later.
This version is the lowest cost option for a scanner solution. It is also simplified for set up and use, and therefore is recommended for those who are blind, visually impaired or have movement disorders.
Use with popular FREE APPS for document scanning like Adobe Scan, Scanbot, Evernote Scannable, CamScanner, and Prizmo Go
Customers say
Customers find the scanner functional and easy to use. They say it gets the job done well, comes with clear instructions, and makes scanning easier. Many consider it a low-cost scanning solution and a worthwhile purchase. The design is well-thought-out and the concept is good. However, opinions differ on the lighting.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Julie –
FAST & EASY SCANNER FOR MULTIPLE ITEMS
I am ecstatic with how this simple way of scanning pictures & documents works! I transfer my pictures to my I-Phone and the phone does all the work of aligning for me. I just have to use my forefinger and thumb to stretch the picture to the right size by placing my fingers on my phone. The phone does all the work. It takes less than a second. I then have the picture captured in my phone, send it to my email. From my email, I transfer the picture to one of my picture files in my computer. It is so quick & easy. For a document, I place the document in the box, adjust it as described for pictures and am able to save it to my documents in my computer. The documents & pictures stay saved in my photos of my I-Phone until I delete them. I’ve been using this mainly for my genealogy. The price is extremely low and worth every penny I spent on it. The diameter of the box is 9-1.2″ by 11-1/2″. The picture of it & it’s description are pretty clear.
Ting –
Great Productivity Tool
Most people probably look at this product and ask “why would I pay this price for a cardboard box.” But a lot of design went into this product to make it work well for scanning documents quickly and easily. I have an all in one printer scanner that has both a flat bed and a sheet fed scanner, so if I need to scan many 8.5×11 pages, that device makes more sense. But to be honest, it’s a pain to scan a single page, off-size documents like a check. I have to put it in the scanner, scan it, crop it, etc. With this box I can scan from my phone in a matter of seconds, and it lines up immediately, sees the contrasting outline because of the color of the box, crops automatically, no shadows because of the box and I’m done. It works must faster than hand-held scanning. I used the free Microsoft Office Lens app on my phone and it worked without a hitch. Also makes a great box for pilling up things that will need to be scanned. The shape of the box was carefully worked out – making one yourself out of a random cardboard box would take a lot of time and experimentation. This was a worthwhile purchase. I asked the seller a question, and he responded very quickly and generously. I’m very glad I bought it and recommend it highly.
Craig B. –
Inexpensive solution
Purchased this because our most recent printer does not have a scanning function. This is a nice solution, and inexpensive. Works well as long as one points the open end towards a bright light or window to make sure that there is sufficient light to take the scan. Once you have it set up with the phone properly aligned, it is easy to use. If storage is an issue, it collapses and reassembles quite easily.
Shayna –
Elegantly simple solution
This is an inexpensive, effective way to scan documents and I love that it’s easy to fold up, carry with me to other locations and set up in a couple of seconds. (It can be stored flat so that it doesn’t take up extra desk space, unlike a traditional flatbed scanner.) I used it to scan a stack of papers I needed to get to my students quickly, and I’ll probably take it to registration next semester in case we have something we need to scan to another office right away. Once you have the camera position for your phone marked with the sticker strips, you can instantly put papers and your phone in the right position to take an accurate, well-oriented scan. Sure, it could be made of heavier, more durable material, but that would make it less portable and importantly, less affordable. I’m also excited about what this can do for people with low vision who use reader apps.
Lyndon Wright –
Portable Scanner Boc
I drive a truck for a living. I get a lot of BOL’s (Bill of Ladings). After I deliver a load, I need to send a copy of the BOL to my company. The problem is trying to take a clear picture of the BOL to send back to my company.This simple box as made that process very easy. I place the BOL in the box and then use my phone to take picture of the BOL. By using this scanner box, it eliminates any blurry pictures. Because the picture of the BOL is always steady and at the same distance.
Ben S –
A very useful purchase for a great price.
I’m a student and aspiring entrepreneur. If you write a lot of notes to yourself, like me, it doesn’t take long before you have several notebooks filled with seemingly random uncategorized notes. This has helped me on the process to getting organized and finding a good, consistent solution to digitize all my notes and sketches. I personalize use Google Drive to scan my documents. It crops off the sides and you can put them directly into a folder.The scanner bin has a lot of videos for advice and different ways you can use it and set it up. When I found that the stickey pads I placed weren’t really where I wanted them, after watching one of these videos and seeing where to place them, I messaged the seller through Amazon, and asked for some and he mailed them straight to me with a simple note, saying he appreciated my business. Of course, this product is similar to just using a cardboard box, but it is worth it. First of all, it’s only $10, secondly, the creator has thought about all the problems that would come with trying to make something like this on your own, such as keeping your phone steady and placing the phone in the same place each time and averting any extra light so that the scans come out consistently.I’m quite happy with my purchase, could see myself using it for many different purposes, and would recommend it to anyone .
21w –
Wanted to like it butâ¦
I really wanted to love this thing bIt I tried and tried and canât get better result that the one I get when I take picture using scanner app without this box. My issue was that a light was blocked and I couldnât get bright image when I take a picture on my scanner. Might that it doesnât work with my current iPhone 11?I think it might be helpful to people who donât deal with scanner app often and have issues getting pages scanned properly and evenly. I started using scanner app on my phone since they created them and since then became a pro and know how to angle my phone to get an even picture. So, in this case I canât say anything about this product. Didnât work for me.
Tony Williams –
– I liked the ease and accuracy of taking a picture of a document.- I didnât like the fact that it is not foldable, hence not portable.- I wish it had an internal light source even at extra cost.- the quality of the cardboard could be improved and be more durable.
Barry –
Still need to get light right
Shannon Ellard –
I really canât believe I bought this. The apps for scanning are fine without using this. This is a cardboard box with holes. Period. My cats love it though! Great cat toy.
tdavis –
I ordered through Amazon.ca and it was shipped from the US. It took a little longer to reach me but was certainly worth the wait. The cost is very reasonable. Like many during the pandemic, I have begun working from home full-time. I was beginning to think I might need to get a scanner for occasional use. But then I realized that I have a company-provided iPhone 11 Pro that has more cameras and processing power than any inexpensive scanner: pair that with the free Adobe Scan app and I already have everything I need. These document scanning apps use image processing to correct for camera shake and skewed images, however the results aren’t always satisfactory. The main problem you’ll have is with lighting: holding your phone camera directly over a document interferes with the lighting and exposure setting. Enter the Scanner Bin. There are a few other devices for sale that offer similar functionality but, after reviewing them all, I feel the Scanner Bin is the best. It is certainly the best when dealing with the lighting issue because it blocks out most exterior light, allowing your phone camera to set the optimal flash and exposure settings. I took the time to place my phone in the best position (I recommend you remove your phone case if you have one) and set the bumpers so that it’s same time. Very easy. You won’t be sorry for buying it.
J –
This is so simple-and it works! I had my doubts at 1st,but it really works-for documents and photos. i was amazed. You dont need the LED lights,you can use the light from a lamp-we did,lol.When ur done,fold it up,keep it flat and put it away-so dam simple to use,lol.