I use several different scanners depending on the project.  I perform a lot of specialized research dealing with historical, commercial and mineral rights.  Because of this I work several counties through a 3 state area.  I have a wand scanner, a USB sheet feed scanner, my iPhone and Tablet (w/ PDF scanner apps).  Some CH's here in Ohio allow you to open the books, some don't.  Some allow you to use scanners, some don't.  Some ask you to pay a fee, and again, some don't.  Many of our CH's have become packed because of our little gas & oil boom and you spend hours waiting on a copier or copies.   I've had to wait till the next day to pick up copies. Two CH's I work in only allow you 2 hrs a day inside (u have to show up and sign up at 7:45 for two 1 hr sessions) and only 30 min of that can be on the computer.  I follow the rules the individual recorders set.

I use an PDF scanner on my iPhone and Windows Tablet.  I take the picture and it converts to PDF.  This allows me to write my Report on Word or Excel while searching and add the documents.  As soon as I pull the last document I can convert and electronically send it to the client same day.  This saves me time and money.  It allows me to do 100% of my work on my tablet in the field and give my clients same day turn-around.  I can create an Adobe document, spreadsheet, database or any combination thereof the client may need right there in the CH.

I understand that Recorders can loose money when I do this so I don't mind paying a small scanner/camera fee.  I take care of my Recorders because they take care of me.  But in Ohio copies run the gambit of .05 cents to $2 per page depending on the county.  I build my copy fees into my search fees depending on the county and project.  But there is nothing wrong with cutting overhead here and there.

But to each his own I guess.  It comes down to your local CH, your particular research, and your clients needs and the services you provide them.  The research I provide can be time consuming and this is one way I can cut my turn-around time and billable time to my clients.  But I don't think you should be upset because someone is "getting by" not paying copy cost.  Depending on how much your scanner costs it may take you awhile to make up that cost by not paying for copies.  It also doesn't help for the computer or microfiche documents you need or copies from other depts. (water, tax, etc).