CZURShine Ultra Smart Portable Document Scanner, Thin Book Scanner with OCR, USB Document Camera for Desktop/Laptop, Capture Size A3, Compatible with Windows & Mac OS (Not for Android & iOS)

I have used a number of scanners over the years, from built-in all-in-one printer/scanner/copiers, to standalone Fujitsu SnapScan scanners for documents, to flatbed scanners such as the Epsom v600 for photographs. Each of these has been good for its purposes, but each has its limitations. I also have used the CZUR Aura in a small business environment, and was very pleased with the experience I had with the Aura. The Aura I used had the benefit of its own internal battery and an app, so the scanner could be taken to other locations without need for a computer, and was often used in libraries or other locations where third-party documents needed to be scanned.The CZUR Shine is a smaller, more compact version of the Aura. There are not a lot of moving parts - just the dial to control the light, the up-and-down slide on the light stem to raise or lower the camera (depending on how large the scan needs to be), and the arm that moves from vertical to horizontal when you want to use the camera. The Shine does not have its own power source, and must be connected to a computer to operate. It connects using a standard USB-A connector, and has the foot-pedal to take the image, leaving your hands free to position the image, turn the pages, etc.The scanner came with a user manual and a CD with the software. As my laptop does not have a drive, I downloaded and installed the software from their website. The website was easy to navigate, and had the software downloads clearly marked based on model, operating system, etc. Once the software was downloaded, the scanner serial number was needed to activate the software, and it was ready to go. It took probably no more than 10 minutes to go from an unopened box to using the product.The Shine is also packaged in a more reusable and ready-to-transport box than the Aura. The internal packing contains a shaped foam to hold the scanner, the two cables, the thumb tabs, and the black mat. The box also comes with a built-in plastic handle. While it doesn't affect the functionality of the scanner, it does reflect some thought into not only the product, but the packaging to make the device more efficient, transportable, and usable. I always struggled with the Aura and making sure to bring the components, and do so along with notebooks, files, etc. This packaging makes it easier to bring the Aura as a self-contained kit.The Shine also comes with two yellow plastic thumb tabs to hold down the pages of the book. The best part of these tabs is the software is apparently coded to turn those tabs invisible, so that they don't appear on the pages. The most challenging part of using the tabs is getting used to the feel on your fingers, and making sure that they tab doesn't cover any of the material you want scanned.The Shine is the best all-around scanner that I've used. The image quality is outstanding. While it can't keep up with a document auto-feed scanner like a fujitsu, it has a broader, more versatile usage than a document scanner. It also has more versatility than a flatbed scanner, since the flatbed generally requires the item being scanned to be placed face-down. And, none of these scanner options have the ability to scan a book face-up, and remove the curvature of the pages. I still have and use the Epsom flatbed and the Fujitsu SnapScan, but their days of travelling are over. And, when they eventually stop working, they will not be replaced with newer models. The Shine can handle all of the functions those scanners do, in a more compact, and transportable fashion. And, if I had to make the decision to get rid of all of my scanners, except one, CZUR's product would be the one left on my desktop.This is also a great scanner if you want to leave it on a desktop, or need something for a small office workspace. The entire scanner takes up roughly 4x6 of desktop surface, so it can be easily put aside when it's not needed. The scanner will require more desktop for the mat when you want to scan, but it can be easily placed and removed on an as-needed (or not needed) basis.

You have to be careful with focusing and keeping the pages still, it won't scan small papers clearly sometimes, and the light does make scanning glossy surfaces a chore... but this thing is perfectly adequate for most use-case-scenarios. If you're scanning things like 30 page comic books or manuals, this will do a phenomenal job... if not a perfect one. This isn't a miracle device. You will have errors before you get good practice. It's not *crystal* clear. But it's not a one-trick-pony either.I've used this to scan a 500-page massive text book, paperbacks, hardcovers (easier than paperbacks for me), family photos, handwritten notes, and as a top-down webcam for teaching, all to perfectly usable success. For larger documents, if you're willing to sacrifice some resolution, you can boost the device's height on a box and get some black fabric, making the scannable area larger. OCR still works in common use.And oh yes, something that this device excels in is it's desktop software's OCR function. *Excellent.* Those who use speech-to-text software will be *very pleased* with this device. One can simply copy and paste text right out of one's digitized books on one's computer. You will likely not be disappointed with it's OCR, for sure.The device comes with everything you need. If your skin-tone doesn't work well with the automatic finger-removal function of the software, the box supplies you with "finger cots" which very accurately allow you to prop the book open with no fear of distracting artifacts. It comes with a foot pedal to scan the pages with, and also automatic scanning in the software which sees when you turn a page all by itself. Very nice packaging as well, very easy to understand. This company, Czur, is known for their excellent packaging.The speed of the scanning this device can do is actually very impressive. More destructive techniques may be faster, but I've scanned a 300 page novel in 10 minutes. You can do the math there, but that's pretty darn good.Something you may have noticed with minimal research is that this company makes other scanners that look similar. I can confirm to you that for consumer use, this scanner may have a lower resolution than the (tempting) $600+ scanner that they sell, but this model is more portable, and its resolution is *perfectly* adequate for all common users, I would say.Do your research. Look at reviews. But if you are in need of a non-destructive book and document scanner that is portable (fits in my small backpack) and will scan pretty darn fast and in good quality, along with the best OCR software I've realistically ever used, and all for personal use, and don't need higher resolution (which most people shouldn't), this device is probably the best you can buy from Czur.Have a nice one.

Short versionPros:1. Faster than a regular scanner2. Easy to use3. Better on the booksCons:1. Camera doesn't handle glossy pages well2. Some books have some damage to the spine due to forcing them flat enough.I bought this scanner because I'm planning to move and don't want to take my hundreds of books with me, but I don't want to get rid of them. So I started scanning them into PDF's. It's very time-consuming, and pressing the books flat on a printer/scanner destroyed the binding.I started with my own writing, diaries, loose leafs of papers with printed or hand-written stories, etc. This device was a god-send. It was very easy to use and quickly turned years of writing into a handful of PDF's on my computer. As I've turned my attention to the handful of paperback and print books that I want to preserve, it's a little more complicated.For starters, it's still time-consuming, just less so. The camera tends to create a glare on glossy pages and you still have to lay the book fairly flat, though not as much as a flat bed scanner.Take this book for example, it's a manga I picked up in Brazil on a trip and if I give it away I doubt I will ever find it again, so I wanted an electronic copy.You can see that the cover and first few pages are glossy and there is a noticeable glare spot. Not bad on the cover, but in places it interferes with reading. The matte pages are excellent quality. The process took slightly less than an hour, maybe forty-five minutes or leisurely work (with some editing and cropping after the scanning). The book is still serviceable, but you can see the binding has been bent a bit.I recommend this product, but wanted to show real results so you can judge for yourself.