Barcode Scanners

What is the difference between CCD and Laser Scanner Types?

Laser Scanners: Laser barcode scanners are are the most popular type of hand scanners for a retail setting. In order to project a beam they contain moving parts that disperse a Laser dot into a line. The advantage to Laser scanners is that they can scan at any angle, upside down, direct sunlight, (in most cases), and the beam they project is thin and precise. A laser bar code scanner doesn't need to be close to or touch the bar code to do its job.

CCD Readers: CCD readers use an array of hundreds of tiny light sensors lined up in a row in the head of the reader. Each sensor measures the intensity of the light immediately in front of it. Imaging technology will take a picture of the barcode and then read the barcode from that image. While a CCD barcode scanner is cost effective and can to read bar codes quickly and easily, it has two primary limitations. First, it has a short "read" range, and must be held no more than 1 to 3 inches from the bar code. Further, the CCD has a limited width, and will not read bar codes that are wider than the face of the scanner. We recommend CCD scanners only for flat barcodes, as they will not scan barcodes that are on a curve, such as barcodes on bottles or food items.