What are CCD Barcode Scanners

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:26:42 +0000

CCD barcode scanners are camera-based readers existing in the market today. CCD stands for Charge Coupled Device and it is a newer technology adopted by pen or laser barcode readers. The CCD scanners work just like the camera scanners. The head of these scanners is loaded with an array of light sensors that analyse the intensity of light from the barcode labels. The most important dissimilarity between camera and CCD barcode readers is the light frequency replicated off the barcode labels. The CCD scanners automatically pick up the image of the label.

The uses of CCD scanners are complex than the basic laser scanners. Major applications that handle gift card, debit and credit payments are usually swiped through the CCD barcode readers, which could read the magnetic stripes located at the back of these cards. They are also used to shift track employees for security purposes at public events and universities.

Some of the other advantages of these readers, as compared to the laser readers, include the scanning of complex applications with complete accuracy. The newer scanners that employ the CCD technology would allow the users to read smaller barcodes with the highest level of efficiency and therefore it simplifies the pricing of the smaller items. There are very less chances that a barcode wouldn’t be read. This helps the industries to maintain their inventories accurately.

The only disadvantage of CCD barcode scanners is that they have a problem reading the wider labels. Another concern prevalent about such scanners is that they cannot usually function further than 3 inches of distance from the barcode. Therefore the barcodes have to be brought closer to the reader for each scan.

Where to buy CCD barcode scanners

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:25:56 +0000

By now you’re probably wondering where you could actually acquire such a barcode scanner as the CCD barcode scanner. As a side note you should take into consideration that CCD barcode scanners are just more advanced scanners and cost quite a bit. If you’re really keen on purchasing one you should try visiting Amazon or eBay for some used ones as they come cheaper. A CCD barcode scanner is just an improved type of scanner – instead of light diodes it uses LEDs and a camera to read images and load it onto the CCD (Charge Coupled Device). This doesn’t mean in any way that regular barcode scanners aren’t good enough, it just means that CCD barcode scanners provide a higher reliability and better accuracy than the rest. An analogy comes to mind when comparing CCD barcode scanners to the rest and that’s about cars. Why do people actually go for the full package on some cars when for the extra money they get virtually nothing more but a mild performance upgrade that can’t be justified in any way by the price tag it comes with.

I mean, let’s face it – why pay let’s say an extra $5,000 just to get a performance increase of 1% when you’re not actually even going to use or feel that performance boost in any way ? I hope you got my point and I know the analogy was between cars and barcode scanners – maybe not the best analogy but hopefully you got my point of view.

Bottomline is – CCD barcode scanners are great pieces of equipment, don’t get me wrong, they’re the best in the game, but for regular uses I would still prefer a common barcode scanner. If you’re planning on purchasing a barcode scanner just to be able to keep track of your purchase, go for the regular ones – you won’t feel a difference.

So, if you’re still wondering where you could acquire a CCD barcode scanner you should first try the big retailers such as Amazon, eBay – even craigslist if you’re not bothered by the fact it’s used. If the aforementioned don’t bring up anything interesting, do some quick online searching and look for some specialized companies such as Wasp or Trekker.