I LOVE my cannon mobile scanner. I usually stop at a cafe or restaurant and quickly scan
Iām 22 yrs as a signing Agent/ notary. Iām in Texas now and unlike the other 2 states Iāve lived and worked in, Texas does everything last minute and wants scans within 90 minutes. They pay on average a 1/3 of what my fees were in CA and HI.
I am not sure if a mobile scanner is worth the money. At this point in time I am lucky to have 2-3 jobs a day and half the time they are spaced so coming home to scan isnāt a problem, plus half the time the documents for my later appointments are still pending. Youāre basically on last minute for everything. Iāve never seen anything like it.
I found a 1990ās Epson scanner on Craigslist in San Francisco for $50. Iāve had it for 8 years and find it helpful. Itās hooked up to my 2007 Sony Vaio Computer thatās still on Windows 7 OS. Lol!
Keep in mind scanning on open wifi at a business offers no security for documents.
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I know Iām late to the party, butā¦ I am a full time signing agent for 2 states. I do have a mobile scanner, laptop and printer in the back of my Equinox on a desk I made. Itās all velcroed down so I donāt lose anything. I had started with an Epson es-200 mobile scanner. It helped me to be incredibly productive since most of my signings are about an hour away or more. It died last week and I upgraded to an Epson C220 desktop scanner. GAME CHANGER! The C220 scans the documents in a different orientation which allows me to scan in higher winds. I had struggled with the es200 if there was a breeze. Itās always windy here.
As far as security goes, Iām always aware but always feel secure. I usually park in gas station parking lots close to the doors. Youād be surprised how many people stop to chat because they are amazed at the set up. They then ask what I do and Iām always happy to talk about it. I also pass them my digital business card in case they ever need a mobile notary. Iāve gotten a few hits.
Is it necessary? No. Does it help keep the business running efficiently? ABSOLUTELY!
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Thatās pretty slick. Iāve considered a 2nd commission but Lordee I drive enough.
if I did carry my laptop it has pretty good security so your set up sounds pretty good.
Good to know if my current one fails!
Thank You! 
Oh, I do some driving also. I totaled my 2018 Equinox via 10 point buck at interstate speed (75 here) in December 2024. They explode parts like fireworks at that point. I bought a 2020 Equinox with 77k miles a few days later. I rolled 110,000 miles yesterday (August 12, 2025).
Yes, I have passwords and McAfee on everything, pay for Microsoft Business Professional and only use my cellphone hot spot when in public.
We have 1 FedEx ship center between central SD and the middle of ne WY. Iāve gotten out of a few pickles by offering scans on the road when I canāt quite make it to any of the 3 by 5:30 pm cut off.
In case you want to make your own similar set up, I have photos on my instagram @sodaknotary.
I use the built-in Windows Security (which used to be called Defender). Itās recommended by some people I trust, including Steve Gibson (who runs the famous Shields Up website that people have been using to secure internet connections for decades).
I recently got a new laptop that came with Windows 11 Pro; my main desktop runs Windows 11 Home. Pro provides disk encryption by default; itās called BitLocker. I think thatās wise for a laptop, which is easier to lose or have stolen. Be sure to save the recovery key so that if some part other than the disk dies and you have to get a new computer, you can recover your data.
How do you power your mobile scanner?
I originally purchased a 750 watt inverter from Harbor Freight that I plugged into my power outlet in the cargo area. It worked amazingly. I wanted to run my printer in there, so I had it professionally wired from the battery to the cargo area. It wouldnāt work still so I upgraded to the 1,000 watt inverter. Still wonāt work. Turns out, my alternator isnāt powerful enough so it wonāt run more than my laptop and scanner. On the bright side, I now have lots of power in the cargo area!
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I was going thru the same thing and bought a mobile scanner. Personally, itās just not worth the time or trouble. I explain to people that the scans will occur when I return to my home office. I do have a client that requests scans rarely and she understands the situation it creates. On occasion she has contacted me and asked for the scans ASAP for funding purposes and I will make every attempt to do so. Even with my mobile set up which is quite impressive; I just do not like working from my vehicle in that capacity. Question is this? Are they asking for scans to review your accuracy & asking you to wait to send the package upon their approval? Or is it for funding purposes and they say, āscan & drop packageā? I explain that the scan and drop can delay sending as we are rural and only one pickup daily at 4:00. Even scanning on a mobile scanner can cause a big enough delay to miss the pickup time. Everything Iām getting is between 1:00 and 5:00 lately. Morning appointments make it easier. I would say try talking to the ones requesting the scans & prove your accuracyā¦I wouldnāt be surprised if you would be glad you didnāt buy one!
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@cryman.notary 
Absolutely!
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I have a mobile scanner which I power with an inverter. I use an Epson smart scan es 580w. It holds ā100ā pages with an ADF. I have successfully passed the 100 page limit , so itās a beast. I have impressed a local bank with it , they use me exclusively to close their loans. I use my mobile hotspot or my phone when in my car. I bought to " car desks" that can attach to your steering wheel (donāt worry I donāt drive and scan lol") , I put one on the wheel and one on the passenger seat with a small stuffed animal coffee cup to make it level . the scanner sits in the passenger seat, my computer is in front of me . It works really well.
I too do find scanning in the car can take up valuable time though.
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Sounds like the exact setup that I have! Except my mobile hotspot doesnāt give me enough signal to send a package without breaking it down into small sections. Sometimes 4 to 5. (I hate that). Bought internet for my truck and that wasnāt very impressive either, then the cost doubled last month so I cancelled. About the only internet that works in this area is Starlink and Iām just not using the mobile scanner enough to justify any of it. I do have a friends that I can use a corner of their offices if need be.
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that must be somewhat frustrating, however it is nice you have a spot to go to use the internet. I love that we have a similar āmobile officeā! 
@cryman.notary
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Scanning in my car on a hot summer day is just not something that I wish to do. Any afternoon job that I take that needs scans will just have to wait to be done that night. If they canāt live with that, then I just wonāt take the job. For morning jobs, I can usually scan and drop the same day. Remember, itās we who determine how we want to work, not the title companies.
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Exactly!!! Hot, cold, windy, darkā¦I donāt like the challenges or safety issues.
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Iām impressed with the set up just not eager to use it! 
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I understand that. I probably go too far lol, I have dark window tint as it is and I put up dark window shades too when its hot out or I am scanning, I also put the sun shade up and no one can see me but I do keep my head on a swivel. its handy when its an necessity but itās definitely not for everyday use 
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