10 best ion scanners

Ion scanners are devices used for detecting and identifying trace amounts of chemical substances, often in security and law enforcement applications. These scanners work based on the principle of mass spectrometry and are commonly used at airports, border crossings, and other high-security locations to screen for illegal drugs, explosives, and other contraband materials.

Here are some key points about ion scanners:

Principle of Operation: Ion scanners operate by collecting and analyzing ions (charged particles) from a sample. When a sample is introduced into the scanner, it is subjected to a process that ionizes the molecules in the sample, creating positively or negatively charged ions.
Mass Spectrometry: The ionized particles are then passed through a mass spectrometer, which sorts and analyzes them based on their mass-to-charge ratio. This allows the scanner to identify specific compounds within the sample.
Detection of Contraband: Ion scanners are used to detect a wide range of substances, including drugs, explosives, and chemicals that may pose a security risk. These scanners can identify minute traces of these substances even if they are well-hidden.
Non-Invasive: Ion scanners are non-invasive and non-destructive, making them suitable for screening people, luggage, and packages without causing harm to the subject or damaging their belongings.
Applications: Ion scanners are primarily used in security and law enforcement settings. They are commonly employed at airports and border checkpoints to screen passengers and cargo for illicit substances. Additionally, they may be used in prisons and other secure facilities to prevent the smuggling of drugs and other prohibited items.
False Positives: Ion scanners can sometimes produce false positives, where harmless substances are mistakenly identified as contraband.This can be a challenge, and additional testing or verification may be required to confirm the results.
Maintenance: Proper maintenance and calibration are essential to ensure the accuracy and reliability of ion scanners. Regular maintenance schedules are typically followed to keep these devices in working condition.
Advancements: Over time, ion scanner technology has advanced, leading to improvements in sensitivity, speed, and accuracy. These advancements have helped enhance security screening processes.

In summary, ion scanners are important tools in security and law enforcement, providing a means to detect and identify trace amounts of prohibited substances. They operate based on mass spectrometry principles and are used in various applications to enhance security measures at sensitive locations.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best ion scanners on the market

Echo Dot (2nd Generation) - Smart speaker with Alexa - Black

Based on 207 reviews Check latest price

Echo Dot is a voice-controlled speaker that uses Alexa to play music, control smart home devices, make calls, answer questions, set timers and alarms, and more.
Play music from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, SiriusXM, TuneIn, and iHeartRadio.
Call or message family and friends hands-free, or drop in from the Alexa App to your Echo device.
Controls lights, locks, thermostats, and more with compatible connected devices.
Use the built-in speaker, or for bigger sound, connect to speakers through Bluetooth or audio cable.
50,000+ skills, including Jeopardy!, Lyft, Audible, and Domino's. Always getting smarter and adding new features.
Hears you from across the room with 7 far-field microphones for hands-free control, even in noisy environments or while playing music.

ION Air Copy | Wireless Photo & Document Scanner for Tablets, Smartphones & Computers with Built-In WiFi (Renewed)

ION Audio

Based on 2 reviews Check latest price

Product description

This pre-owned or refurbished product has been professionally inspected and tested to work and look like new. How a product becomes part of Amazon Renewed, your destination for pre-owned, refurbished products: A customer buys a new product and returns it or trades it in for a newer or different model. That product is inspected and tested to work and look like new by Amazon-qualified suppliers. Then, the product is sold as an Amazon Renewed product on Amazon. If not satisfied with the purchase, renewed products are eligible for replacement or refund under the Amazon Renewed Guarantee.

Wireless Scanner for Tablets, Smartphones, and Computers
Creates its own WiFi network—no internet connection needed!
Works with Android (phones and tablets), iOS (iPhones and iPads), Mac OS X (desktop), Windows 8 (desktop and tablets), Windows Phone and the Kindle Fire HD series
Free scanning app via the app store
High-resolution 600 DPI scanning of any photo, business card, or document up to standard legal size (8.5" x 14")
App provides real-time preview while scanning
Includes 1 Non-standard Battery, Rechargeable via USB

ION Pics 2 SD | Photo, Slide and Film Scanner with SD Card

ION Audio

Based on 700 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Enjoy your old pictures on your digital picture frame. Rediscover your long-lost photo prints, slides, and film negatives with PICS 2 SD.

This high-quality scanner transfers your images directly onto an SD card so you can enjoy your old pictures with the latest technology. Thanks to PICS 2 SD's large, full-color LCD screen, you don't even need a computer to make it work!

You can view your images on your digital picture frame, your television if it has an SD card slot, your mobile phone with a micro SD slot, computer, and other portable devices. Imagine all of your memories with you at home or anywhere you go.

PICS 2 SD is fast and easy to use. Just one button starts the scan, which takes an average of one to two seconds! Convenient auto focus, auto exposure, and auto-color balance mean you don't have to be a photo whiz to make great digital images. PICS 2 SD does all the hard work for you.

PICS 2 SD has a built-in SD card slot, so you can scan directly to virtually any SD card without needing a computer. You can also connect PICS 2 SD to your Mac or PC and use it as a handy SD card reader. You can drag and drop your pictures from PICS 2 SD right onto your desktop.

PICS 2 SD makes high-resolution scans of all of your color and black-and-white slides and film negatives. PICS 2 SD is portable, lightweight, and has an ultra-small footprint so you can take it with you and scan your friends' and family's pictures too.

Start rediscovering your old pictures today with PICS 2 SD.

Tech Specs

Image Sensor: 5.1 megapixel CMOS sensor
Lens Specification: F= 4.83
Color Balance: Automatic
Exposure Control: Automatic
PC interface: USB 2.0
Scan High Resolution: 2500 DPI interpolation resolution
Light Source Back Light: 3 white LED
Photo Holders (in inches): 3.5x5 / 4x6 / 5x7
System Requirements: Windows; XP / Windows Vista™ (32-bit or 64-bit) / Windows 7
Power: From USB port
Dimensions: 8.7” x 8.2” x 5.8”

Includes

Scans your pictures, slides and negatives to the included SD card --no computer needed!
High-resolution scanning keeps your photos looking great for pristing archival
Works with 35mm negatives, 35mm slides, and 3x5, 4x6, and 5x7-inch pictures
High-resolution 5.1 MP scanner with up to 2500 DPI
Color screen for viewing your pictures
Includes easy image transfer and editing software
Standalone operation, no computer necessary

User questions & answers

Question:	can 3x5 photo be scanned? Or just 4x6 and 5x
Answer:	It says "TV OUT" - It is for hooking up to your TV in the event you want to set your Scanza on the TV Screen to look at your pictures. You will need the cord that goes from the device to your TV. I hope that helps. JD
Question:	Can I burn a disc from the Memory Card
Answer:	Let's see what the description above says: "NOTE; THE SCANZA WILL NOT CONVERT FILMS OTHER THEN 35mm, 126, 110, Super 8 & 8mm Negatives"
Question:	Do you need to place photos one by one? Or is there a feeder for more? How long does 1scan takes
Answer:	If you’re looking to scan 8mm and Super8 films into movie files, try this unit: Wolverine 8mm and Super8 Reels Movie Digitizer with 2.4" LCD, Black (Film2Digital MovieMaker) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KA32HH0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_pQF2Ab8TYXTB3 It works well and is simple to operate.
Question:	Does anyone know where to get extra slide, neg and pic trays
Answer:	You will HAVE to have an SD Card as well as the appropriate connection to you r computer. I find this a very simple way to get my 110 126 and 35 MM slides digitized. While I am sure a professional would achieve better results I am quite happy with the results. BTW this will work with windows 10 quite well. If you have slides that are over exposed you can adjust them with the SCANZA and again with the windows software to enhance the images.

Ion SLIDES2PC 35mm Photo Negative and Slide Converter to PC

ION Audio

Based on 403 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Ion 35mm photo negative and slide converter to PC. Transfers 35mm negatives to PC or notebook quickly and easily. Print, edit or archive photo collection with quick and easy scanning software. 5MP Hi-res full-color scanning with 1-touch instant scan. USB 2.0 connection and USB 2.0 port. Fixed focus range and auto exposure/color balance with high-quality 4 glass optical element. Includes USB connection and software.

Tranfers 35mm negatives and slides to PC or notebook quickly and easily
Print, edit or archive photo collection with quick and easy scanning software
5MP hi-res full-color scanning with 1-touch instant scan
Fixed focus range and auto exposure/color balance with high-quality 4 glass optical element
Includes USB connection and software
Does not currently support MAC computers.

User questions & answers

Question:	I have slides from the '50s and '60s that are 2 1/2 inch squares. Will these fit into this converter
Answer:	No. Great sound, but light on bass and not nose cancelling.
Question:	where can i get a manual for this product
Answer:	The plug on the E4000 is 1/8" or 2.5mm. Your Sony receiver headphone jack is probably 1/4" or 6.35mm. If this is the case, you will need a 1/8" to 1/4" adaptor to connect the E4000 to your receiver.
Question:	How fast can you feed the slides and what is the capacity of the feeder? Image shows a handful of slides
Answer:	It comes with soft ear-hooks that allows the cable to be used over-ear if desired. There is a picture of them here: https://snext-final.com/en/products/detail/E4000
Question:	Does this work with "mounted" slides
Answer:	the E400 has detachable MMCX connector cables. Any cable with MMCX connectors should work. There are also Bluetooth MMCX connectors available if you choose to go that route. Example: Shure BT1 / BT2. Westone has a Bluetooth MMCX connector as well. Try searching Amazon for 'MMCX cable with microphone'.

ION Film 2 SD | 35mm Slide and Negative Scanner with SD Card (5 Megapixel sensor)

Based on 162 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Rediscover your long-lost 35mm slides and film negatives with Film 2 SD. This high-quality scanner transfers your images directly onto an SD card so you can enjoy your old pictures with the latest technology. Thanks to Film 2 SD’s large, full-color LCD screen, you don’t even need a computer to make it work!

With all of your pictures on an SD card, you can view them on digital picture frames, televisions, mobile phones, computers, and other portable devices. Imagine all of your memories with you at home or anywhere you go.

Film 2 SD is fast and easy to use. Just one button starts the scan, which takes an average of one to two seconds! Convenient fixed focus, auto exposure, and auto-color balance mean you don’t have to be a photo whiz to make great digital images, and the included Rapid Slide Feeder allows loading of up to 20 slides at a time for quick, hassle free scanning; you’ll be reliving all of your treasured memories in no time! Film 2 SD does all the hard work for you.

Tech Specs

Image Sensor: 5-megapixel CMOS sensor
Lens: F no.=2.0, 4 glass elements
LCD: 2.4” color TFT LCD
Scan Quality: 1,800 dpi (3,600 interpolated)
Scan Method: Single pass
Light Source: Backlight (3 white LEDs)
Data Conversion: 10 bits per color channel
Exposure Control: Automatic
Color Balance: Automatic
Focus Range: Fixed focus
Internal Memory: 24 MB NAND Flash (for saving images)
External Memory: SD/MMC compatible
USB Configuration: Mass Storage Device Class / MSDC
Interface: USB2.0, TV-out (video 1/8” jack)
Operating Systems: Windows XP / Vista
Power: 5 V adapter (included) or USB-powered
Dimensions: 3.2” x 3.4” x 6.0”
Weight: 0.86 lbs / 15.7 oz

Includes

Scans your slides and negatives to the included SD card --no computer needed!
High-resolution 5 megapixel scanning keeps your images looking great for pristine archival
Works with 35mm negatives and 35mm slides in black & white or color!
Color screen for previewing your scans
Video output for viewing on an external video monitor
Also works with iPad via Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit (sold separately), or your Mac/PC via the USB connection
Perfect for spring cleaning, archival and sharing of photos digitally; slideshows, email, social media and photo-sharing sites

User questions & answers

Question:	Does the slide holder from older models (you can stack 25 slides in it) work on this newer model
Answer:	If you purchase the one sold by Petrie's it will ship out today or Tuesday.
Question:	Does anyone know how to clean the inside of the LED screen? Mine is full of dust and black spots. Slides have been in dustproof container, so why
Answer:	They’re a decent length, you won’t be disappointed when buying this bag
Question:	what is the file format
Answer:	If I remember correctly they are 4x6. Usual size when developed.
Question:	Will this scan reeled film from the 60's
Answer:	It is very sturdy but not very heavy. Bought it as a gift and bride loved it!!!

Ion ISC31 iPics 2 Go Photo Slide and Negative Scanner for iPhone 4/4S

ION Audio

Based on 96 reviews Check latest price

Product description

PICS 2 GO from ION is the easiest way to bring all of your memories into the digital realm using your hone 4 or iPhone 4S. With iPICS 2 GO, you can instantly digitize and share your classic prints, slides and negatives. Sharing photos has never been easier. With digital cameras and social media, you have the ability to share your pictures in real time. But what about your printed pictures, old family slides and negatives? Sharing those pictures isn't so easy. Until now. IPICS 2 GO removes all the hassle of digitizing your prints, negatives and slides. This mini photo booth is a simple solution that will bring your treasured pictures onto your iPhone 4 in seconds, ready to be shared with friends and family. The process is simple: For prints, simply load the picture into the iPICS 2 GO photo tray, place the tray under the iPICS 2 GO photo booth and take a picture with your iPhone 4 camera. That's it, your picture is ready to be instantly uploaded to social media sites, emailed to friends, or stored in your digital archive. iPICS 2 GO comes with a free photo editing app* that converts your slides and negatives into sharable photos, and includes a Facebook button for instant sharing! GET IT STRAIGHT The iPICS 2 GO photo tray is the key to its simplicity and speed. It features separate inlets for 3x5 and 4x6 prints that hold your photos perfectly straight, ready to capture. Each inlet gently holds your photo flat and prevents it from bowing. The design of iPICS 2 GO ensures consistency because your photos are always in the same position with the same lighting, and your iPhone camera is always in the same spot. There's no guesswork. LIGHT IT UP: The iPICS 2 GO photo booth has built-in lighting that illuminates your photos evenly with no hotspots or glare. With the iPICS 2 GO photo tray in place, your photo is isolated from all outside lighting and interference, positioned perfectly for your iPhone 4 camera.

High-resolution picture scanning with your iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S
Works with 35mm negatives, slides, and both 3x5 and 4x6-inch pictures
Includes a powerful editing app for converting slides and negatives into sharable photos
Free app includes Facebook button for instant sharing
Top platform holds iPhone 4 at optimal height and automatically positions camera

User questions & answers

Question:	Will this work with an iphone
Answer:	Came with a PS2 cable.
Question:	Do I need an Iphone to scan my negatives with this? thanks
Answer:	Yes, this can be used for warehousing. The Wasp WLR8950 Long Range handheld barcode scanner is a cost effective, easy to use, 1D barcode scanner designed for retail, office, or inventory applications, or any repetitive application where time and accuracy are important. The package comes with a Scanner programming guide that will guide you through.
Question:	when you want to print the picture , what size are they
Answer:	PC System Requirements 32-bit or 64-bit version of: Windows 10 Windows 8 Windows 7 Windows Vista Windows XP (SP3) Windows 2000 Windows Server 2012 Windows Server 2008 Windows Server 2003
Question:	Does this work with IOS7 version? In some review I found people mentioned this doesn't work with IOS
Answer:	No, this scanner can only read 1D barcodes. For 2D we recommend both the Wasp WDI4600 and WWS450.

ION Pics2 SD Plus Photo Scanner, Turns Old Pics Digital

Ion

Based on 21 reviews Check latest price

Product description

ION brand Pics2 SD Plus Photo Scanner Turns Old Pics Digital. Standalone picture scanner, does not require a computer. Easily transfer your photos to your computer through USB or SD card. Creates high-resolution 10MP files Scans your slides, negatives and pictures. One touch scanning, takes just a few second. Works with 35mm negatives and slides, 3x5, 4x6, and 5x7 pictures. Includes: Pics2SD Plus, USB Cable, Slide Holder, Film Holder, Photo Holders, USB Power Adapter, and a Guide/Information.

User questions & answers

Question:	How large a photo can this scanner handle
Answer:	You have to place foto one by one.Slides in a frame of 4 slides and negatives in a frame of 6 negatives. Scan takes only fews seconds.
Question:	Do you get a good quality scan and how fast does it scan
Answer:	I just happen to have my owners manual out, call customer service at 401-658-3743 Monday thru Friday 8:30-6:30 EST.

ION Film 2 SD Plus | Hi-Res 35mm Slide and Negative Scanner with SD card (14 Megapixel sensor)

ION Audio

Based on 356 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Product Description

With Film 2 SD Plus, you can enjoy your old pictures with the latest technology.

Instantly scan 35mm slides and negatives to the included SD card and view them on digital picture frames, televisions, mobile phones, computers, and other portable devices.

Film 2 SD Plus is fast and easy to use: just one button starts the scan, and the convenient auto focus, auto exposure, and auto-color balance means you don't have to be a photo whiz to make great digital images. You'll be reliving all of your treasured memories in no time!

Don’t let your slides and negatives from the past be a thing of the past. Bring them back to life with the Film 2 SD Plus!

Box Contents

From the Manufacturer

Ultra-high-resolution 14 megapixel scanner
Transfers your slides and negatives directly onto an SD card (included)
Standalone operation-no computer necessary!
USB port for optional connection to computer (cable included)
Works with iPad via Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit (sold separately)

User questions & answers

Question:	The SD card won't stay inserted
Answer:	Yes
Question:	I can't get it to work. I must be doing something wrong but don't know what. The slide won't show up on the little screen. Suggestions
Answer:	No program needed. Just plug in the usb port and start scanning
Question:	Does it come with a holder to scan 110 and 126 negatives as they are much smaller than 35mm
Answer:	No. The cord is a straight cord. Thank you. BarcodeShack
Question:	Is a "rapid feed" or multiple slide feed attachment available for this device, to allow sequential scanning of more than 4 slides at a time
Answer:	No, the charging base is optional. The device includes a wall-adapter for charging.

Product features

Film 2 SD Plus

With Film 2 SD Plus, you can enjoy your old pictures with the latest technology. Instantly scan 35mm slides and negatives to the included SD card and view them on any of today's popular digital devices that have SD card slots on them: digital picture frames, televisions, mobile phones, computers, and other devices.

The Easy Way to Relive Your Memories

Just one button starts the scan, and the convenient auto focus, auto exposure, and auto-color balance does the rest!

Stunning Clarity

Film to SD Plus captures your pictures with stunning vibrant clarity due to the 14 megapixel scanner.

Convenient Package

Not only does the Film 2 SD Plus come with all the attachments necessary to view on almost any device, but we also included a SD card to get you started right away!

Features

Ultra-high-resolution 14 megapixel scanner.

Standalone operation—no computer necessary!

USB port for optional connection to computer (cable included).

Large color LCD screen, automatic exposure and color balance controls.

Image editing software included for Mac and PC.

ION OMNI SCAN Stand-Alone Image and Slide Scanner

Ion

Based on 349 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Rediscover your long-lost slides and film negatives with OMNI SCAN. This all-in-one digital image converter transforms your images from outdated to updated without the need of a computer. OMNI SCAN's 5.1 Mega Pixel sensor scans your negatives quickly and with clarity to the standard jpeg image file format. OMNI SCAN's full-color LCD screen allows you to enjoy your converted images immediately, or you can also connect OMNI SCAN directly to your TV and view your images on the big screen! OMNI SCAN's SD card slot and USB connection make transferring photos extremely easy. The OMNI SCAN accepts SD/SDHC cards up to 32GB. Quickly upload your photos over to a computer, digital picture frame, cellphone or virtually any other device. OMNI SCAN is the fun, fast and all-in-one solution to converting your slides and negatives to digital images.

Standalone slide & film scanner
Scans all color or monochrome 35mm negatives &mounted slides
Converts images to digital JPEG files to easily organize, view & share
9 megapixel & 5 megapixel modes for up to3648 x 2736 scans
Full-color LCD screen for viewing converted pictures

User questions & answers

Question:	How long to scan a slide
Answer:	I don't know, but the one that comes with this does not work very well. Had to do mine one at a time to prevent jamming. Also says you can hook to TV but that doesn't work either( tech service has no answer)
Question:	Can I convert old black & white and old color photos
Answer:	My slide copier came with a plastic bar that has a cleaning pad on the end of it. When the feed tray is out of the copier, this cleaning tool slides in on the top of the LED screen. slide it around to clean the screen. -------Don
Question:	mac compatible
Answer:	I use Windows 7, and it saves to a JPEG format. File size ~ 1MB
Question:	Will it scan full rolls and/or strips of negatives? - NOT SLIDES
Answer:	Yes, that is why I bought this to convert 60's & 70's slide film to computer - then you can do whatever you want with them. I though the scanned pictures looked great compared to the actual slides - but you slide pictures might be faded or pixels not that great. So understand this.
Question:	Does the slide holder from older models (you can stack 25 slides in it) work on this newer model
Answer:	The unit comes with three picture holders, the largest is for a 5 X 7 picture.
Question:	Does anyone know how to clean the inside of the LED screen? Mine is full of dust and black spots. Slides have been in dustproof container, so why
Answer:	The scan is extremely good! Once I transfer the pictures from the SD card to my memory stick, I further enhance the pictures, bringing back some of the old color and clarity. The speed of each scan is remarkable. You simply push the scan button and then the save button and in the time it took me to say this you're ready to do the next picture.
Question:	what is the file format
Answer:	It comes with holders for the 3 major sizes. I've scanned all different sizes. I just have to be careful trying to pull them out, sometimes they get stuck. I found that if I take another photo and stick it halfway in, in front of the other, I can slide them out easily. Just enough to keep it from catching on the way out.
Question:	Will this scan reeled film from the 60's
Answer:	The memory card can be plugged into a computer (MAC/PC) and easily then transfer files, including to a CD/DVD if your computer has that ability. The files are .JPG format standard images.

Docuscan Scanner - ION

Based on 2 reviews Check latest price

Product description

the easy way to scan your photo and documents anywhere.

User questions & answers

Question:	can you scan directly to different files like the neat
Answer:	Haven't tried using it as a plug in.. got it because it was wireless. It has its own WiFi address so you don't need to be connected to another wifi. Draw back is you can only be connected to one wifi at a time connection at a time. So in that case a USB plug in option would be good.