How to use our Narrow Your Results Barcode Scanner Filter Search tool

We have developed our Narrow Your Results tool to better enable you to find the barcode scanner that best fits your needs. For instance, to see all the Motorola barcode scanners (and only the Motorola barcode scanners), you would click on the Motorola filter value in the Manufacturer subsection of the Narrow Your Results menu. The following lists some of the key filters and thefilter values you can use:

• Laser Scanner: This type of scanner is the classic barcode scanner that users laser technology (think red beam) to scan barcodes. Laser barcode scanners can only read 1D barcodes.
• Imagers: This type of scanner essentially takes a picture of a barcode and then decodes it. The two basic types of imagers are linear imagers and area imagers with the difference being that area imagers can scan most 2D barcode whereas linear imagers can only scan a limited number of 2D barcode types (you basically have to drag the linear image across the barcode in order to read it which can be slow and cumbersome).
• Fuzzy: A type of technology used in laser scanners to support the reading of poor or damaged barcodes.
• High Density: Used for reading small barcodes typically found on electronic circuit boards.
• Extended Range: Used for scanning barcodes from a distrance.
• Long Range: Same as Extended Range.
• DL Parsing: Used for reading drivers licenses and are typically capable of parsing the information into different fields.
• PDF: Used for reading PDF barcodes, also known as Portable Data File barcodes not to be confused with Adobe Acrobat PDF files.
• Doc Capture: used for scanning a complete image of a document.
• DPM: used for scanning a Direct Part Marking barcode

• Corded: As the name implies, corded barcode scanners have a cord that connects the barcode scanner to a computer.
• Cordless: Cordless barcode scanners are similar to cordless phones and are typically composed of two components: 1) the barcode scanner and 2) the cradle which interfaces to your computer and charges the scanner. Bluetooth is becoming the most popular technology used for cordless scanners.

• USB: This is becoming the most common type of interface and is suitable for connecting the barcode scanner to most PCs. The USB Full Speed, USB POS and USB PowerPlus interfaces are special types of USB interfaces and should only be ordered if you know your computer uses them they are NOT the USB interface standard on most PCs.
• Keyboard Wedge: This type of interface utilizes a Y cable to connect a barcode scanner to your computer. With this type of interface, the barcode scanner joins your keyboard and becomes another input device to your computer. Depending on the type of computer, you may or may not require an additional power supply for this type of interface (some computers are capable of providing enough power for the scanner whereas others are not).
• IBM 468x/9X: Used for connecting the barcode scanner to IBM mainframe computers (468x/9X).
• RS-232: Also known as a serial interface.

Key Technology Considerations:

• 1D and 2D Barcodes: 1D barcodes are your classic barcodes with vertical lines of varying width; 2D barcodes, such as QR (Quick Response) barcodes, come in many different forms with the most obvious difference (when compared to 1D barcodes) being their lack of vertical lines.
• Lasers vs Imagers: Historically, barcode scanners used laser technology but laser scanners are rapidly being surpassed by imagers with their ability to read 2D barcodes.

Top Barcode Scanner Manufacturers:

• Motorola acquired Symbol Technologies in 2006,
• Honeywell acquired Metrologic in 2008,
• Honeywell acquired Hand Held Products (also known as HHP) in 2007, and
• Datalogic acquired PSC in 2005.

Type of Barcode Scanners:

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