The barcode is a great invention and it has now appeared on just about every item that we buy or use and it is hard to imagine what life was like before the series of lines was added to a product label. However the barcode is of no use at all without a device that will read the information that is stored on the code, this is where the barcode reader or scanner as it is sometimes referred to is necessary.
So a few questions need to be answered before a scanner is bought and these are: Where will the scanner be used? Is it a rugged environment? How often will it be used? What kind of barcodes will you be reading? How will the scanner be used?
One of the most important concerns when choosing a suitable scanner is the inside “techy” bit or engine as it is known. There are 3 main types of scan engines; Laser is the most well known scanner type, these are only able to read linear (1D) barcodes but are the most cost effective option. Linear are similar to lasers, again only reading 1D code but they do a better job of reading poorly printed codes. 2D area imagers are similar to linear imagers, with the advantage of reading any type of barcode.
With all the options available for barcode scanners today, it’s important to find the right device for your particular needs. Determining how you will use the scanner and what features you need will make choosing the right one easier.