Whether talking about distribution, retail or healthcare, the truth is that barcodes play a huge role in each and every industry field. So, regardless of the field you’re working at, having the right barcode scanner is essential so everything could run smoothly. Thus, you should take into account all of the important things in order to make the right choice and find the proper barcode scanner for sale.
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| source: barcodes.com.au |
Type of Scanners
Laser Scanners
As we all know by now, laser scanners are among the most popular for reading barcodes. The laser in these scanners serves as a light that reflects through a number of mirrors that read the barcode. The most important thing about these scanners is that they are designed to read 1D barcodes and they can read at a distance from 15cm to 60cm. Given the fact that laser scanners have lots of internal glass parts, this makes them more prone to breakage.
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| source: cognex.com |
Image Scanners
When compared to laser scanners, image scanners seem to be more durable and sturdy. As the name implies, these scanners use a tiny digital camera that is designed to capture the barcode image. Once captured, the image is then scanned and read by the attached computer system. Unlike laser, image scanners are able to read the barcode only from a few centimetres.
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| source: keap.com |
Pen Readers and Barcode Wands
These readers are equipped with a light source and a photodiode, creating a waveform by dragging the tip across a barcode. This waveform correlates to the width of particular spaces and bars, after which this information is decoded and entered into the computer system.
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| source: ebay.com |
CCD Barcode Scanners
CCD or charge-coupled devices are barcode scanners that have a row of miniature sensors at their front. CCD scanners generate a waveform that is designed to correspond only to particular bars and spaces after which the obtained information is decoded with the scanner and sent to the computer system.
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| source: itinstock.com |
2D Area Imagers
Similar to a regular image scanner but only with a 2D, this image scanner can scan all types of barcodes like 1D, 2D and stacked. When compared, the 2D imager is the most preferred option because the barcode can cross the scanner literally in any position.
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| source: indiamart.com |
Type of Scanner Formats
Handheld
This scanner format is one of the most commonly used in every field. When choosing the proper barcode scanner for sale offer, make sure to pay better attention to the format. In other words, there are two types of handheld barcode scanners, wireless and cordless, where the wireless seem to be handier and more versatile. The thing that stays the same for both wireless and corded handheld scanners is that they are simple and easy to use, where all you have to do is to grip the handle, point it at a barcode and press the button on the handle. Simple as that.
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| source: asp.com.au |
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| source: radley.com |
Mobile Units
These handheld computer devices allow the users to scan barcodes without the need of having a wireless or corded scanner with them. How come? Well, the barcodes of a product can be read through an app that can be installed on a handheld device from any location or any floor in the facility. Once read, they can be remotely entered into the company’s computer system. These mobile units make it easier to read barcodes even in remote locations.
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| source: radley.com |
Presentation
These scanners are designed to be placed on a countertop in order to read the barcode of each passing product. It’s said that these scanners are great for both stationary and wide-area reading and they are mainly used at the checkout counters of retail stores.
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| source: poscatch.com |
In-Counter Scanners
In-counter scanners are stationary scanners, just like the presentation models and they allow customers and employees to swipe barcodes across the reader for easy and fast scanning. The main difference between these scanners is that the in-counter type is designed to be fixed onto the top of a checkout counter. The most common use of these scanners can be seen in self-service grocery stores.
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| source: firstsurfacemirror.com |
Scanner Strength
Regardless of the type of scanner, you plan to choose, an important thing to have in mind is the scanners strength or physical resilience. For instance, you need to make sure that the chosen model can withstand daily use and still work with the same capacity and strength.
Practice shows that in-counter and presentation scanners are designed to handle all of the work in places like grocery stores, for instance. On the other hand, warehouses, factories and worksites are in need of something sturdier and well built-in. Barcodes for such environments can be easily identified by their yellow or red case and besides their colour and sturdiness, they also differ by the price when compared to some other types of scanners. This means that they’re pricier, however, this will certainly pay off in the long run.
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