How To Choose A Barcode Scanner – 16 Things To Consider

Barcode scanners are essential pieces of technology for businesses across a variety of industries. These devices quickly capture information from barcodes and are invaluable for inventory management and tracking, identifying products, streamlining checkout processes, and more.

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But with so many barcode scanners on the market, choosing the right one for your organization can be overwhelming. In this buying guide, we will discuss several key considerations that should factor into your decision-making process when selecting a barcode scanner.

We&#;ll cover topics such as types of scanners, scanning range and accuracy, wireless capabilities, ergonomics and more. By the end of this guide, you&#;ll have all the information necessary to make an informed purchase and choose the best barcode scanner for your needs.

So without further ado, let&#;s get started.

Once you have determined the purpose of your barcode scanner, it&#;s time to decide what type of device is best for your needs.

Barcode scanners are categorized based on various factors such as technology (laser scanner, image scanner, etc.), form factor (handheld, fixed mount, etc.), build quality, connection option, interface and so on. 

To keep it simple, let&#;s break it down into two main categories: Contact barcode scanners and Non-Contact barcode scanners.

Contact scanners are devices that require physical contact with the surface of a barcode to read its information. They tend to work well for smaller, less complex barcodes and are popular for retail checkout applications.

Non-contact scanners, on the other hand, use technologies such as laser or imaging sensors to scan symbols from a distance. Non-contact scanners are better suited to scan larger barcodes and provide higher accuracy.

Refer to our article on types of barcode scanners to learn about the different types of scanners available in the market today. 

Accidental drops are a leading cause of damage to barcode scanners. Therefore, the type of flooring your facility has should also be taken into account.

Hard surfaces such as concrete, tile, or wood can cause significant damage to scanners. In such environments, consider purchasing a rugged scanner that is specifically designed for harsh conditions. Look for scanners with drop ratings, tumble ratings, shock protection, or that have been certified in accordance with various safety standards such as ASTM.

On the other hand, soft surfaces like carpet and rubber matting provide a cushion that reduces the impact if the device is accidentally dropped. In such scenarios, investing in a special rugged device is no longer needed. A barcode scanner with reinforced housing, plastic covers, rubber bumpers and a lower drop rating should suffice.

Now that you know all the things to consider when choosing a barcode reader, the next thing that might have crossed your mind is from where do I now buy a barcode scanner? Well, Triton is here to help! That&#;s right &#; we offer a range of barcode scanners that are reliable, accurate and easy to use.

Want more information on Small Handheld Barcode Scanner? Feel free to contact us.

Our barcode scanner selection includes a variety of wired and wireless models that can be used for scanning barcodes in retail stores, warehouse facilities, manufacturing companies and more. All of our scanners are made from durable materials and designed to last for years with minimal maintenance. With advanced features and ease of use, our barcode scanners are perfect for any business that needs to quickly and accurately capture data.

Our top-notch barcode scanners include the latest models of mobile terminals, general barcode scanners, rugged barcode scanners, fixed scanners & sensors, wireless barcode scanners, 2D barcode scanners and Bluetooth barcode scanners all manufactured by industry-leading brands from Zebra and Honeywell. All our barcode scanner models are set at competitive prices, ensuring you get the best value for your money.

Not only do we offer barcode scanners, but we also provide barcode scanner accessories and spares to help you upgrade or maintain your scanners.

So, why wait? Shop from our wide selection of barcode scanners today and experience ease and convenience with best-in-class barcode scanner technology. Contact us today via the live chat widget below for more information.

Choosing the right barcode scanner for your business can be challenging, but with a bit of research and knowledge about what to look for, you will be able to find one that suits your needs. Before making a purchase, keep all of the points listed above in mind, compare prices, and read reviews to ensure that you get the best value for your money.

We hope this article helped you understand all the important factors to consider when buying a barcode scanner.

Thanks for reading!

Scanners may have become easier to use than ever but choosing one from the long list of models out there is a challenge.  Luckily, you don&#;t need to know all the technical ins and outs of scanner technology to find a good fit for your business.  With the following 4 questions you&#;ll be able to narrow down your options to the right one for you.

Question #1 : What type of barcode are you reading?

This is one of the most important questions since you can end up paying too much for a scanner or get one that doesn&#;t work at all.  There are essentially 2 types of barcodes:

Depending on which of the 2 type of barcodes you are working with, there are 3 types of scanners you&#;ll want to choose from.

• Laser &#; These are the typical red line laser devices most of you are familiar with. When you line-up the laser horizontally across  the barcode, the light is reflected or absorbed by the black and white lines.  This pattern of reflectance is turned into meaningful numbers and letters.  These scanners only read 1D barcodes but read very well and are the most cost effective option.
• Linear Imager &#; Imagers take a picture of the barcode and analyse it to extract the information from it.  These scanners still only read 1D barcodes but tend to have a better tolerance for poorly printed or damaged barcodes.  They are slightly more expensive than laser scanners but if you need better performance for about the same cost, linear imagers are the way to go.
• 2D Area Imager &#; These scanners are the bigger brother of  the linear imagers and can read any type of code, 1D or 2D.  Likewise, these scanners have very big scanning areas and read in any direction so they tend to read faster than the others.  Unlike the others, with a 2D scanner you don&#;t need to aim as accurately to get a good read. If you need to read 2D barcodes or want a scanner that will read very aggressively, a 2D Area Imager is your best choice.

Question# 2 : What will you be using the scanner for?

This question is really concerned about what form factor your scanner should be. Most scanners are the typical handheld gun-style type but depending on where and how you&#;ll be using the scanner other form factors might be more productive.

• Handheld â&#;&#; These are by far the most common form that scanners come in and are very easy to operate.  Simply aim the scanner at the barcode and pull the trigger. Most models will offer a stand, like the Motorola LS, for hands-free operation as well. Handheld scanners are also available in cordless options to avoid cable clutter and increase your mobility.
• Presentation â&#;&#; Presentation scanners, like the Honeywell MK, are designed to sit on a counter-top with ever needing to be picked-up.  These scanners are made for hands-free scanning and will not require triggering to read.  Likewise, instead of a single aimer like handheld scanners, presentation scanners have wide reading areas to reduce the need for aiming. Youâ&#;&#;ll find these types of scanners at retail check-outs since it is easy to scan many items quickly.  Just present the barcode in front of the scanner and it will read it automatically.
• In-counter â&#;&#; In-counter scanners are similar to  presentation scanners in that you just present the barcode in front of the reader, but these are made to be embedded into the counter-top.  You have probably come across these types of scanners at grocery stores and self check-out lines. Units like the Datalogic Magellan , are easy to operate for any user. Many models also have integrated scales to completely serve a POS lane.
• Fixed Mount&#; A fixed scanner is a bit more specialized compared to the other types since it is really meant to be integrated with a larger automated system.  These scanners are made to be mounted on a conveyor line or in a kiosk and do not have a typical trigger or button to scan. Often, these scanners will always be on or get triggered by external sensors or controllers.  Fixed scanners come in a wide range of speeds, like the Microscan MS-9, to accommodate even very high speed assembly lines without any user intervention.
• Mobile Computer â&#;&#; While they are a bit more than basic scanners, mobile computers provide complete freedom being the PC and scanner in a single device.  Where other scanners need to be connected to a PC, mobile computers like the Motorola MC75A can move around freely while storing information into memory or communicate via Wi-Fi and Cellular (WAN) networks. Mobile computers are ideal for applications that require true mobility like inventory management and asset tracking.

Question #3 : How will you connect the scanner to your PC?

Every scanner has to connect to a PC to transmit the barcode information into the application that you are using. Most scanners are going to connect to a PC or laptop through a USB connection, but Serial (RS-232) and PS/2 are also available.  Corded scanners are easy to get up and running by simply plugging them in.

Handheld scanners also offer options for cordless scanners that allow you to walk around freely. These scanners function the same way a corded scanner does except that the scanner communicates to a base station wirelessly.  This base station is then connected to your PC through a cable.  Your PC does not need to have any wireless support since the cradle and scanner handle all of this. Most cordless scanners, like the Motorola LS,  use Bluetooth to communicate, which normally gives you a range of 33ft.  There are also some specialized Bluetooth and proprietary wireless units that can transmit beyond 200ft.

Question #4 :What environment will you be using the scanner in?

Ruggedness should always be a concern when selecting a scanner to make sure it can handle whatever you put it through. Most scanners are designed for daily use in an office or retail environment.  An accidental drop once in a while will be ok, but if you are using your scanners in a warehouse or outdoor environment you will want to consider a ruggedized unit  You can always tell a ruggedized scanner by their bright yellow or red cases like on the Motorola LSFZ.  Ruggedized units are completely sealed against dust and can handle repeated 6ft drops to concrete. With a rubberized case, they can handle any mistreatment.  More rugged units may be more costly, but the time saved and costs from replacing broken scanners quickly balances out the initial cost difference.

Are you interested in learning more about Barcode Scanning Engine? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

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