SCAN ENGINES

There are three types of scan engines: laser, linear imager, and 2D area imagers.

Features

Pros

Cons

Laser

• Ensures precise scans in areas with good lighting
• Scans at distances from 1” to 3.5”
• Most affordable

• Only reads linear (1D) barcodes
• Doesn’t read damaged or poorly printed barcodes very well

Linear imager

• Minimizes risk of failure due to fewer moving parts
• Works well in environments with low lighting
• Reads damaged or poorly printed barcodes

• Doesn’t read 2D barcodes
• Costs more than laser scanners

2D area imager

• Reads both 1D and 2D barcodes
• Reads damaged or poorly printed barcodes
• Scans from any angle

• Most expensive
• Usually difficult to read when less than 6” away

STYLES

There are two styles of handheld scanners: corded and cordless (wireless).

Features

Pros

Cons

Corded

• Transmits data in real time
• Least expensive
• Easy to implement

• Cords can cause scanners to fail
• Only scans at close distances, typically 5 – 6’
• No option to transmit via batch

Cordless

• Transmits data in real time or batch
• Has working range of up to 100+ feet
• Scans longer distances
• Doesn’t require a wireless computer

• Doesn’t work when out of range
• Costs more than corded scanners
• Requires extra batteries

TYPES

There are two types of handheld scanners: general purpose and industrial.

Features

Pros

Cons

General Purpose

• Meets a wide range of scanning needs, including most business applications
• Offers a variety of models at differing price points
• Provides flexible, advanced data capture options

• Doesn’t perform in harsh conditions with extreme temperatures
• Lacks certain durability features found on rugged handhelds

Industrial

• Withstands multiple drops and knocks usually found in industrial environments
• Performs in all weathers and temperatures
• Handles data demands typically found in environments with rugged, secure networks

• Costs more than general-purpose scanners
• Has more functionality/features than most offices and small businesses need

Feature

Requirement

Solution

BARCODES

• To read 1D barcodes or one-line alphanumeric identifiers

• Choose a laser scanner or linear imager.

• To read 2D barcodes or capture data that populates multiple fields or contains significant data

• Choose a 2D scanner.

DAMAGED BARCODES

• To scan 1D barcodes that aren’t damaged or poorly printed

• Choose a laser scanner.

• To scan 1D barcodes that are damaged or poorly printed

• Choose a linear imager.

• To scan 1D and 2D barcodes, including those that are damaged or poorly printed

• Choose a 2D scanner.

DISTANCE

• To only scan barcodes at close distances

• Choose a corded scanner.

• To scan barcodes both near and far

• Choose a cordless scanner.

ENVIRONMENT

• To read barcodes in areas with low lighting

• Choose a linear imager.

• To read barcodes from any angle

• Choose an omnidirectional 2D scanner.

DURABILITY

• To withstand multiple drops of up to approximately 5 feet

• Choose a general-purpose handheld scanner.

• To withstand multiple drops of up to 6.5 feet or more

• Choose an industrial handheld scanner.

TRANSMISSION

• To transmit information in real time while directly connected to a PC

• Choose a corded scanner.

• To wirelessly transmit information in real time or batch

• Choose a cordless scanner.

PRICE

• For the most affordable handheld scanner

• Purchase a laser scanner.

• For a moderately priced handheld scanner

• Purchase a linear imager.

• For the most expensive handheld scanner

• Purchase a 2D scanner.

VOLUME

• For high-volume scanning

• Choose an industrial printer.

• For low-volume scanning

• Choose a general-purpose scanner.

STYLES

• To prevent cord failure

• Choose a cordless scanner.

• To wirelessly scan barcodes

• Choose a cordless scanner.