Choosing a Zebra barcode scanner can be overwhelming. Call Barcode Southwest at 888-764-9965 to learn which Zebra barcode scanner is right for your company’s application(s).
Barcode Scanners vary in design, capability and functionality.
Choosing a Zebra Barcode Scanner
Types of Zebra Barcode Scanners
When choosing a Zebra barcode scanner, it important to match type to your company’s application. Barcode Southwest recommends three types of barcode scanners for your consideration:
- General Purpose Scanners
- Rugged Barcode Scanners
- Healthcare Scanners
General Purpose Barcode Scanners
The Zebra general purpose barcode scanners are compact and portable.
A few “pluses” of the general purpose scanners are:
- 1 and 2D scanning capability.
- Cordless as well as corded models are available.
- Scanning range up to 24″.
- Handheld imagers.
- Omnidirectional scanning.
Zebra and Barcode Southwest recommend the following applications for General Purpose Sccanners:
- Transportation
- Retail
- Hospitality
- Manufacturing
Rugged Scanners
Barcode Southwest recommends the Zebra 3600 Series (Ultra-Rugged) barcode scanners.
These scanners take you from the production line through picking and shipping.
The Zebra 3600 series scanners can maximize your productivity in the following ways.
- First, they capture every mark on every code.
- Print size, surface and/or print density make no difference.
- This scanner captures laser etching and chemical etching.
- Secondly, this scanner has a long-lasting charge. It is capable of 100,000+ scans with each complete charge.
Healthcare Scanners
Healthcare professionals demand technology that is rapid and accurate. The Zebra healthcare barcode scanners provide speed and accuracy in the following ways.
- A first benefit is its fast data capture. These scanners “grab” data via a crisp aiming dot.
- Second, the omni-directional scanning capability saves time.
- Third is the scanners ability to capture small barcodes.
- Finally and most importantly, the scanner captures barcodes wrapped around curved surfaces such as a vial.
Zebra healthcare scanners work well with laptops AND workstations-on-wheels.
Additional Factors to Consider
To simplify your search, Barcode Southwest has identified three factors to consider when researching scanners.
- The first factor is the type of barcode you are scanning. (1D or 2D).
- The second factor is your environment.
- A third factor is portability.
Types of Barcodes
Your first consideration is the type of barcode you are scanning. Are you working with 1D or 2D barcodes?
1D barcodes, or Universal Product Codes (UPCs) are linear. These barcodes contain product information represented by black parallel bars with a sequence of numbers.
On the other hand, 2D barcodes contain within a “square.” These are also known as QR codes.
It is important to recognize the difference in the amount of data stored in each type of barcode.
- 1D barcodes can contain only 20-25 characters.
- 2D (QR) barcodes may contain up to 2,000 informational characters.
Work Environment
A second consideration is the environment in which your scanner will be used. There are two environmental factors that can impact your Zebra barcode scanner selection.
- The first factor is extreme environmental conditions such as heat, humidity, cold and condensation.
- A second factor is unavoidable dirt and dust.
Portability
The third barcode scanner consideration is portability.
A first portability consideration is scanning distance.
- Do you need a scanner that only captures data “up close?”
- Will your scanner need to capture data from more remote distances?
- Will you require a corded or wireless scanner?
The scan and print option is the second portability consideration
- First, scan and print affords the option to capture a barcode.
- After scanning, you are then able to “tell” your remote printer the number of labels to print.
- Also, this option allows your scanner to function in one type of environment while keeping the printer in a “cleaner” environment.
Call Barcode Southwest at 1-888-764-9965 to see how we can help you choose the Zebra barcode scanner that best fits your Houston, TX company. Or complete our contact form!
Barcode Southwest is a premier supplier of barcode scanners, thermal printers, and labels for a wide range of industry applications. We supply to clients all over the Southwest region of the U.S., including, but not limited to Houston, Austin, Dallas and San Antonio.
Happy Printing 
Please visit our Barcode Southwest Facebook page.
Posted September 14, 2020 By Lucy
Zebra Barcode Scanners (corded or wireless) for Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio.
