Are you thinking of buying a new barcode scanner but don’t know where to start? You don’t know what budget to set and have no idea how to best orient yourself? In this article, you will find out everything you need to know to buy the best barcode scanner!
Table of Contents
Type of Barcodes
First, we must establish the type of barcodes that we will usually deal with. There are two types: 1D and 2D, that is linear and two-dimensional.
The linear is the classic barcode, while the two-dimensional is the most recent QR code also used in various digital applications.
Reader sensor: CCD, laser, or imager
Now let’s move on to sensor technology. We will focus on CCD, lasers, and imagers:
- CCD: uses a LED and is very versatile. It can identify a code from a close distance and a distance (20 – 30 cm). They are ideal for traditional checkout operations in which the products to be processed are not significant in size.
- Laser: it is a technology to be used in department stores with goods of considerable size. The laser sensor can easily read a code up to 2 meters away.
- Imager: more efficient and faster. They adapt to non-optimal conditions, and they also identify codes at the limit of legibility. They are also compatible with two-dimensional models.
Corded or cordless?
If you need a reader for cash transactions and not on the move, opt for the version with cable. It tends to have a lower price and performs its duty very well. If, on the other hand, your business mainly consists of identifying codes on the move (for example, in a large warehouse), the choice of the wireless reader will be obligatory.
How do I manage them?
With the consolidation on the market for a few decades of the USB standard and, more recently, micro-USB, most devices can be connected to a PC or tablet very simply via this interface.