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Compare Camera and Hardware Scanners

Deciding on a data reader for your business is no easy task, especially when choosing between a camera or hardware scanner. Both types of scanners offer a variety of benefits that appeal to different users and businesses, so it's important to understand how each works in varying environments and real life situations.

Real Scenarios, Real Testing, Real Results

The guide below compares and analyzes the testing results of these Socket Mobile scanners:

  • C820 - Free, basic camera-based scanning solution
  • C860 - Industry's best damaged barcode reader utilizing enhanced camera scanning
  • S700 - Entry level Bluetooth hardware scanner for 1D barcodes
  • S740 - Universal 1D/2D Bluetooth hardware scanner
 

Performance Results by Industry


Scenario Lighting Condition Lux
Shopkeeper Good lighting condition Ambient daylight
10,000-25,000
Test Barcodes Printed Size Onscreen Size
UPC-A 1 cm x 3 cm N/A
  c820-barcode-page
C820		 c860-barcode-page
C860		 S700_engine-250px
S700		 S740_engine-250px
S740
Maximum decode distance Printed UPC-A 12 in +2 ft 15 in 19 in
Minimum decode distance Printed UPC-A 5 in 6 in 2 in 2 in
Decode time Printed UPC-A 3 min
17 sec		 1 min
35 sec		 44 sec 37 sec

Note: Scanned 5 different items in rotation 50 times into iOS Stock Count.

Scenario Lighting Condition Lux
Event management Fair lighting condition Overcast
1,000
Test Barcodes Printed Size Onscreen Size
Code 128 2 cm x 5 cm 2 cm x 5 cm
QR Code 1 cm x 1 cm 2 cm x 2 cm
  c820-barcode-page
C820		 c860-barcode-page
C860		 S700_engine-250px
S700		 S740_engine-250px
S740
Decode time Mixture of printed and onscreen Code 128 1 min
57 sec		 1 min
45 sec		 46 sec 37 sec
Decode time Mixture of printed and onscreen QR Code 1 min
38 sec		 1 min
41 sec		 Not supported 30 sec

Note: Scanned both printed and onscreen 1D or 2D barcode in rotation 50 times into iOS Stock Count.

Scenario Lighting Condition Lux
Event management Poor lighting condition Sunset/Sunrise
400
Test Barcodes Printed Size Onscreen Size
Code 128 2 cm x 5 cm 2 cm x 5 cm
QR Code 1 cm x 1 cm 2 cm x 2 cm
  c820-barcode-page
C820		 c860-barcode-page
C860		 S700_engine-250px
S700		 S740_engine-250px
S740
Decode time Mixture of printed and onscreen Code 128 1 min
58 sec		 1 min
55 sec		 48 sec 34 sec
Decode time Mixture of printed and onscreen QR Code 1 min
46 sec		 1 min
48 sec		 Not supported 31 sec

Note: Scanned both printed and onscreen 1D or 2D barcode in rotation 50 times into iOS Stock Count.

Scenario Lighting Condition Lux
Fire inspection Fair lighting condition Overcast
1,000
Test Barcodes Printed Size Onscreen Size
Code 39 (smoke detector) 2 cm x 6 cm N/A
  c820-barcode-page
C820		 c860-barcode-page
C860		 S700_engine-250px
S700		 S740_engine-250px
S740
Maximum distance
Code 39		 18 in +2 ft +2 ft +2 ft
Decode time
Code 39		 1 min
10 sec		 24 sec 25 sec 21 sec

Note: Scanned both printed and onscreen 1D or 2D barcode in rotation 50 times into iOS Stock Count.

Scenario Lighting Condition Lux
Delivery Good lighting condition Ambient Daylight
10,000-25,000
Test Barcodes Printed Size Onscreen Size
Code 128 2 cm x 6 cm 1.5 cm x 5 cm
Data Matrix 1.5 cm x 1.5 cm 2 cm x 2 cm
  c820-barcode-page
C820		 c860-barcode-page
C860		 S700_engine-250px
S700		 S740_engine-250px
S740
Decode time
Printed Code 128		 1 min
26 sec		 28 sec 26 sec 25 sec
Decode time
Printed Data Matrix		 1 min
18 sec		 25 sec Not supported 23 sec

Note: Scanned printed barcode 50 times into iOS Stock Count.

Scenario Lighting Condition Lux
Delivery Bad lighting condition Sunset/Sunrise
400
Test Barcodes Printed Size Onscreen Size
Code 128 2 cm x 6 cm 1.5 cm x 5 cm
QR Code 1.5 cm x 1.5 cm 2 cm x 2 cm
  c820-barcode-page
C820		 c860-barcode-page
C860		 S700_engine-250px
S700		 S740_engine-250px
S740
Maximum decode distance
Printed Code 128		 12 in +2 ft 18 in +2 ft
Minimum decode distance
Printed Code 128		 5 in 6 in 3 in 3 in
Maximum decode distance
Printed Data Matrix		 18 in +2 ft N/A +2 ft
Minimum decode distance
Printed Data Matrix		 5 in 6 in N/A 3 in

Note: Scanned printed 1D/2D barcodes 50 times into iOS Stock Count.

Working with damaged barcodes? The SocketCam C860 is the industry leader for reading difficult-to-scan codes.

 

The Future of Your Business

Understanding how these scanners perform within different industry scenarios will help give you a clear idea of which type of scanner will perform best within your working conditions and meet your data capture needs.

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