USB Barcode Scanners

Searching for some USB barcode scanners?  There used to be scanners that would work by being plugged into the PS2 jack where the keyboard is placed at the back of the computer, these though are the more advanced versions of those scanners.  As far as the USB being better than that, well, that can be debated.  There are those that don’t like the driver issues that pop up at times and then there are those who just prefer the auto detection of the scanner just by plugging it into an open port.  This by the way is known as Plug N’ Play technology.

There is one thing that isn’t so great about USB barcode scanners though and that is they have to be plugged in via a cable.  There are those who would rather have the scanner be wireless so that there is less clutter and so the peripheral can be a lot more mobile in it’s usage.

However, back to the USB barcode scanners, these tend to be pretty cheap in comparison to the new Bluetooth, wireless devices that are out now.  The USB scanners can be found for as little as $60 while in comparison, the more fancy wireless ones can go for as much as $300 or more.

If you’re not sure of which brand to go with, one which I would suggest would be the CCD Contact Barcode Scanner.  This is a scanner that is on the lower end of the budget at $60, this also accounts for it’s popularity.  Once you get this, you’ll find you’ve gotten both the scanner and a small book on how to use it.  The scanner of course has the USB plug-in option, although there are no adapters or additional options for it’s use.  As far as the booklet is concerned, in it you can find some barcodes that will allow you to play around with the settings such as “trigger”, “auto” and “toggle”.  You can also change the sound it makes as well as the duration of the sound.

When installing this scanner, it’s quite a simple process.  With Windows XP you just plug it in.  This is a Plug ‘N Play device so there isn’t anything else that needs to be done.

Now when it comes to using it, well, you just place the scanner near the barcode and hold onto the trigger.  The trigger is made out of a rubbery material, but it maintains a nice “clickability” when it is depressed.  Out of all other USB barcode scanners I’ve tried, I found this easy to use.

The only issue that I might have with it is the fact that you have to put the barcode up real close and pretty much touch it to the scanner for it to register.  Once you’ve done this though, it winds up in the computer as if you had typed it in.

Now there are many other USB barcode scanners to consider, this is just one of them.  I’d suggest looking around the Internet a bit more to see more of your options.