I run the scanner in most of my fits. I've figured out how it works, for the most part. There ARE matches where it's completely bugged though. Anyway, in the case of the quantum scanner...

1) Initiate scan: This leaves you lit up on the enemy radar for the full 2 second scan time. During this time, 'anything' inside of the scan 'cone' is detected. Take note of the shape of the cone on the radar.

2) Switch back to your gun: This (obviously) puts the scanner away. The 'area' you just scanned is irrelevant. What IS relevant is the scan cone. This area (in front of your suit) is the area of the scan. NOT the ground you just lit up. NOT the red dots you just lit up. The area in front of your suit.

3) As you move the scan remains tied to your suit's field of view. For example spinning in a circle slowly will reveal all units within a 100m radius of your location. I'm unclear as to whether or not they'll receive a "you've been scanned" notice at this time.

4) For 14 additional seconds (the two second scan time is counted against the 16 second duration) everything in front of you, in your field of view is revealed.

I hope this clarifies.... and I hope my corp mates aren't pissed at me for telling you all how this works. = )

Assuming this is indeed how the active scanners work, that's pretty messed up. I don't think anyone would read the item description and then suddenly understand all that.

Also, that just means there's even less reason (i.e. none at all) to spec passive scanning if you can just use the active scanner like that.