Barcode scanners are light emitting hand held devices use to read barcodes. The device is attached to computer or laptop which stores coded message by the length and width of the bars and spaces that are printed in pattern. It has a code reader and decoder. The barcode scanners are on everything right from the groceries to auto parts. It is the biggest asset to run a business.

We have been using barcode scanners for many years and more advanced technology is being introduced to us every year. They are available in different varieties like the hands free, hand held, rugged, wearable, scan engines, laser or digital. The simplest device is the Pen-wand scanners which have to be kept in direct contact with the barcode and to be held at precis angle. To read the bars you need to move the pen-wand scanner over it. The general purpose scanner as the name indicates is used for general purposes, to process identification documents and checkout counters and hospitals. Other kinds of scanners are used in harsh conditions like rugged scanners.

Barcode scanners are available in many different varieties. They can be hand held and hands free, wearable, and rugged, scan engines, laser or digital. Pen-wand scanners are perhaps the simplest types of such devices. They have to be kept in direct contact with the barcode and held at a precise angle. A pen-wand scanner is moved over the bar to read it. General purpose scanners are generally used at checkout counters and hospitals and are also used to process identification documents. Certain other kinds of scanners, like rugged scanners, are generally used in harsh or extreme conditions.

The image scanner and laser scanner of the barcode scanner are the one with distinguishing features. The image scanner has a camera in it that captures the barcode images. These bar code images are then processed by sophisticated image techniques to decode the barcode. Generally most of the image scanners scan barcode data from a distance of five to ten inches away. In laser scanner lenses are used to read the bar codes. The application of the laser scanner helps in reading the barcode placed at any angle. The more advanced technology of laser scanner reads the barcode from the distance of 24 inches. Modern laser scanners have outwit the capacity of laser scanner by reading the data from the distance of 30 feet.
Both the scanners are efficient in their own way but still have pros and cons in their use. The laser scanner being more advanced is more expensive but the lenses of such scanners are more prone to wear and tear. Whereas the image based scanner is less expensive but lacks internal movable parts making it less resistant to drops or knocks.