The use of barcode scanner imagers (CCD, Linera Imagers) has been increasing due to the adoption of 2D symbols in many warehousing and Point of Sale ("POS") applications. Laser scanners are generally  more accurate and scan barcodes with higher speeds in most applications.

The best barcode scanning solution for you will be dictated by requirements of an application, the enviroment and your budget.

 

Lining up the barcode: Omnidirectional vs CCD, Laser and Linear Imager

- CCD, Laser and Linear Imager barcode scanners are single line, hand-held or hands free, barcode scanners and you must line up the barcode to scan it.

- Omnidirectional is a form of Laser scanning specifically for hands free scanning, and projects multiple lines (or lasers) so that you can easily and quickly swipe a barcode past without even having to line up the barcode. This scanning techonolgy is popular in high traffic areas such as convenince stores, fuel stations, and liquor stores.

 

Laser vs CCD vs Linear Imager vs Omnidirectional

Laser

Disperses a laser dot into a thin solid line and in turn projects it onto a barcode. The laser beam repeatedly moves from left and right, hence the scanner has moving parts.

Advantage: They can scan in direct sunlight (in most instances), and project a thin, very precise laser beam onto the barcode. Using laser scanners allows for the reading of wide and distant bar code labels.

Disadvantage: Struggles to scan small barcodes or high resolution barcodes (Not as good ion as Linear Imager scanners), and has moving parts that can break.

 

CCD (Charged Coupled Device) 

Light detectors aligned in a single row eluminates the barcode, and an actual lens in the scanner reduces the full barcode image onto the imaging sensor. CCD barcode scanner technology is based on camera imaging technology.

Advantage: This method is great for capturing very high resolution details along with widened color space. It can also scan folded lines, and has no moving parts.

Disadvantage: Has a close scanning range, and is generally not used for medium to long distance scanning.

 

Linear Imager

Based on the same technology as CCD scanners (imager), but has a longer range, comparible to Laser barcode scanners.

Advantage:  Able to scan smaller barcodes than lasers scanners. Genreally more rugged than Laser scanners because they have no moving parts.

Disadvantage: Usually can't scan in direct sunlight

 

Omnidirectional

The next level up from normal Laser barcode scanners, it projects 20 or more lines (instead of a single line), so that you don't have to line up the barcode as you swipe it fast. It's ideal for fast hands free scanning.

Advantage: No need to line up the barcode when swiped fast. Ideal for hands free or presentation scanning.
 

So which one works for me?

For short range scanning: CCD scanners are a good choice if price is an issue and occasionally scanning barcodes.

For long range scanning: Laser scanners are geenrally the best choice, with some rugged scanners able to scan up to 100 meters long. 

Laser vs Linear Imager: For the vast majority of applications ir won't make a diffrence choosing between a Linear Imager or a Laser, unless you need to scan really small barcodes (use Linear), or you have to scan in sunlight (use Laser).

Hands free scanning: Omnidirectional is almost always better than Laser or Linear Imager because it has multiple beams negating the need to line up the barcode onto a single beam.