Gadget to hold iPhone when scanning

By Catherine, 1 September, 2020

Forum
Apple Hardware and Compatible Accessories

Looking for a iPhone holder/stand for easy use when scanning or reading bar codes. Multi position is important; I’m thinking of videoing from our patio - no creeping! Any suggestions welcome.

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Comments

By Ekaj on Tuesday, September 22, 2020 - 19:06

I have a possible suggestion. I don't know if this is quite what you're after, but here goes. I've started holding my phone on one knee, with my elbow bent. I'm sitting down when I do this, but you might be standing. I'm rather new to these scanning apps, so this suggestion may be totally out of the ballpark.

By OldBear on Tuesday, September 22, 2020 - 19:06

I got the Scanner Bin earlier this year. It works.
https://www.amazon.com/Scanner-Bin-Document-Scanning-Solution/dp/B00XM7LKZM
It is basically a cardboard box that has a square hole on one side for the camera area of the phone or tablet and one open side to let in light and to place documents or objects into the box. You have to be good at aligning the edges of things by hand and guessing where the center of things will be to use it. It can be folded flat when not in use.
If you place it on a stable surface like a table, it holds everything, including the camera, steady. If you set it on a bed or padded chair, it will tend to sway when you tap the phone to take the picture, or when the cat jumps up beside it.
You could probably cut a square in the side of a box and make something similar for free.

I was imagining something more sturdy & steady, maybe even versatile. The more I talk, the pricier it gets!

By Catherine on Tuesday, September 22, 2020 - 19:06

In reply to by OldBear

Thanks for your suggestion. But I am hoping to find something more, well as in the previous comment, sturdy and steady. Tks

By Catherine on Tuesday, September 22, 2020 - 19:06

Thanks to a podcast by David Woodbridge, he demos a Arkon HD8rv29; described for people who are cooking, baking, crafting, live-streaming and podcasting. There is more, but the important part it is hands free with iPhone securely posed above or over your shoulder and so on. Very nifty and quite pricey as well. I just want to re-organize my over stocked pantry. I am currently sheltering in place in Puerto Vallarta, - More than $2800 Mx peso, about $ 200 CAD, or approx $150 US. For now, this goes on my wish list until Black Friday or Boxing Day sales.

By Tracy Carcione on Tuesday, September 22, 2020 - 19:06

On a recent Zoom workshop, someone recommended a Lazy Bracket, which she said is a flexible pipe with a phone bracket attached. She said it could be bent to go over your shoulders and hold the phone in front of you, or be bent to act as a scanner stand holding the phone over your document. It sounded like it could be bent in any way you wanted at that moment. Sounded good, and it was pretty cheap from Amazon.
Tracy