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Barcode Technology

Scanners

1-D BT Wireless Pen Scanner There are three main types of Barcode Scanners. They are:

  1. Wireless/Tethered Scanners
  2. Integrated Barcode Scanner PDAs
  3. Compact Flash (CF) and Secure Digital (SD) Scanners
Wireless/Tethered Scanners

scanner
Symbol PQT 8100
Scanners that are connected (wirelessly or through cable) to a main computer. The operational range of these scanners is limited to the length of the cable or the strength of the wireless signal. Because of the limitation in range, these scanners are ideal for areas where a laptop or desktop computer is nearby.

Integrated Barcode Scanner PDAs

PDAs that have 1D or 2D barcode scanners built into them. They are simply a barcode scanner and a fully operating computer system built in one. These PDA Scanners have a choice of Laser, CCD or Imager Scanners, which are capable of scanning both 1D and 2D barcode labels. They are usually very rugged, have a long battery life, and are very mobile. San Dimas Technology has been evaluating PDAs in their Mobile Computing Project. More information on PDAs can be found on the following Forest Service Intranet webpage: Mobile Computing

scanner card
Socket SD10
1D Barcode
Scanner

Compact Flash and Secure Digital Card Scanners

These scanners utilize the Input/Output (I/O) card slots on the PDA. They can transform smaller, commercial grade PDAs such as an iPAQ or Dell Axim into a laser barcode scanner. These units are small, lightweight, and very portable. However they are usually equipped with lesser power Class I lasers which shortens the maximum distance at which the barcode can be scanned.

Vendor Model Scanner Type 1D / 2D Commu-nications URL
Symbol PDT 8146 PDA 1D / 2D USB, Serial, IR Wireless Option www.symbol
.com/products
/mobile_comp
uters/mobile_
ppc_ppt2800
.html
Symbol PDT 8100 PDA 1D USB, Serial, IR Wireless Option www.symbol
.com/products
/mobile_comp
uters/mobile
_pdt8100.html
Symbol PDT 8000 PDA 1D USB, Serial, IR Wireless Option www.symbol
.com/products
/mobile_ comp
uters/mbile
_pdt8100.html
Symbol PDT 2846 PDA 1D / 2D USB, Serial, IR Wireless Option www.symbol
.com/products
/mobile_comp
uters/mobile
_pdt8000.html
Symbol SPS 3000 iPAQ Sleeve 1D n/a www.symbol
.com/products
/mobile_comp
uters/mobile_
pocket_sps30
00_ data.html
Intermec 740C PDA 1D / 2D USB, Serial, IR Wireless Option www.intermec
.com/ eprise/
main/Intermec
/Content/Prod
ucts/Products
_ShowDetail?
Product=CMP
TR700COLOR
Socket In-Hand-Scan Card CF Card * 1D n/a www.socketcom
.com/product/
bar.asp
Socket In-Hand-Scan Card SD Card ** 1D n/a www.socketcom
.com/product/
bar.asp
Baracoda In-Hand-Scan Imager Wireless Handheld 1D / 2D n/a www.socketcom
.com/product/
bar.asp

* CF = Compact Flash ** SD = Secure Digital