Selecting a barcode scanner isn't as simple as picking the cheapest one. Learn about the different types of barcode scanners and find out which one is best for your needs.
To read a barcode, a small beam of light is directed at the surface containing the barcode. As the light scans back and forth, the bean is reflected back to a small sensor located in the barcode scanner. Only the white areas are read. The sensor converts light energy into electrical energy, which is then converted into data. As already explained above, the data is then decoded.
Wand Scanner: A pen scanner that is the simplest and least expensive of all the input devices.
CCD Scanner-Charge Couple Device: A very aggressive scanner that has the ability to read barcodes quickly and easily. It has a short read range and must be held 1-3 inches from the barcode. Used in point of sale situations.
Laser Scanner: This is the most popular of all scanners. It can be from 6-24 inches from the barcode. A tiny laser beam is bounced around inside the scanner using a mirror, in order to read aggressively. Long-range scanners can read 2-8 feet, and sometimes even 30 feet from the device.
