Portable Barcode Scanner

Are you looking to buy a pda barcode scanner or perhaps a wireless barcode scanner? You will find many deals for barcode readers available online.

What exactly is a portable barcode scanner? They are a piece of technology or device that every business (especially retail businesses) should not be without. They make life easy by scanning a 2d barcode on either a label, sticker or box and feeds or acquires the data from a central data terminal. This then allows you to store information about that item in the form of price, weight and object department.

What can a bar code scanner do for your business?

If you look at every since product you’ve purchased over the last week, you will notice on the corner of the box or packaging, a row of symbols or stripes - these are 2d barcodes. The barcodes vary from industry to industry and each one has a unique size and widths. These symbols then allow you to manage your data or inventory with ease.

Barcode scanners used to be large and wired to a data terminal or computer and limited the user from easily scanning items across a large store or warehouse. Today, the wireless barcode scanner has superseded the non portable scanners and are small enough to be carried around wherever you go.

By emitting light, a bar code reader quickly scans symbols and decodes them. The light beam hits the bar codes then gets reflected back to the CCD within the scanner, and the resulting information is converted into data that goes directly into your computer through the barcode scanning software. One of the more popular types of scanning equipment that is used widely is the point-of-sale scanner, also known as "POS". They're utilized mainly as stationary and checkout scanners and are not portable or wireless.

Bar code scanner are relatively easy to get up and going and and store all your information in the blink of an eye. Could you imagine having to do this manually and how long it would take to input all your data entries into an excel spreadsheet? You would need to hire someone full-time just to do that and it would be an absolute nightmare.

These scanners are perfect for any types of sales or retail businesses - really any business that requires a lot of repetition when it comes to entering data into a computer. The accuracy factor is a great plus as well as there would a lot less human errors occuring.

There are a few different types of barcode scanning technology found in portable barcode scanners these days. There are the older Pen type readers, laser scanners and finally Omni-directional scanning technology. The omni-directional technology is the best and you can mostly find these in any large departmental store or supermarket.

The handheld bar code scanner, unlike the pen and laser technology, can allow a user to scan an item in any orientation or position within a 15 centimeter distance away. How do they work? Omni-directional scanners emit a burst of light at several different angles by using multiple reflectors in the scanner to generate different patterns. They are the best choice also because they are more accurate at scanning barcodes that are faded, badly printed or even sometimes half-torn labels with greater accuracy, unlike the single line laser readers.

A bar code scanner is not cheap technology and the price can range depending on the brand and functionality of the device. Needless to say, the price is worth it as it is a must-have for any retailer or industrial business. Here are some recommended wired and wireless barcode scanner products to choose from:

Portable Barcode Scanner Recommendations

Symbol Technologies - Phaser P470

Similar looking to something out of Star Trek, this portable barcode scanner takes scanning technology to new heights by allowing you to easily integrate it with your current data system. The scanner also can be used with the 123Scan barcode scanner software which helps you to configure your communications settings and 2d barcode symbols. The Phaser P470 can also be programmable via your PC or by scanning the symbols created through the free barcode scanner software.

Wasp Handheld Barcode Scanner

This laser hand held scanner is one of the most durable yet affordable devices on the market. It features a multiline wide range rastering scan pattern and works great even if you don’t have a steady hand. With a scan range under 30 inches, the WLS9500 hand held scanner is extremely easy to use and requires no training whatsoever, and is able to scan all one dimensional, 2d barcode symbols and RSS barcodes.

The best part about this portable scanner is its durability and ruggedness. Customers who have bought the WLS9500 have reported that the device still works after being dropped multiple times onto hard concrete warehouse surfaces and retail floors and it still operates perfectly. This portable scanner also features a hands free mode and retails for around $320.

Symbol - P370 Phaser

Symbol Technologies have come up with this great high-end and rugged cordless barcode scanner that is wireless and features a pistol grip for comfort. If you are in a large warehouse or industrial type environment, this handheld scanner will be your best bet.

It features an extremely long scan range and is also a programmable barcode reader that allows you to extend it’s functionality to better suit your barcode systems. The P370 also works with the 123Scan barcode scanning software as well. The handheld scanner retails for about $550 but you can expect to pay up to $1000 for a bundled package with extras including a 17 key keypad. This is one of the most popular models of an industrial portable barcode scanner.