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From:Socket
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See Product Page
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User Rating: Amazon Sales Rank:#20390 |
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CMOS LINEAR IMAGING VERSUS LASER SCANNING, 2008-10-22
The socket 3E utilizes CMOS linear imaging. It is NOT a laser scanner. You can view a detailed analysis of difference between the two technologies by visiting the manufacturers web site or by doing a search for "cmos linear imaging". I have a 3 E that I use with a Dell Axim x50 PDA. It works fine. Socket says that this is an entry level scanning device. I haven't used any of their laser scanners and plan to get a 5M to compare against the 3E. The reviewer who stated that the 3E was not a laser scanner is correct. The 3 E is a CMOS linear imaging device.
1 of 1 customers found the following review helpful:
 Great Laser Barcode Scanner, 2007-10-02
First, the reviewer stating this is a camera scanner and not a laser barcode scanner is not correct. This is definitely a laser scanner.
My scanner works great! It scans all but the smallest barcodes and inputs it as keystrokes into whatever program you may be working on.
I'm not sure that all of them are, but mine seems to be waterproof. I found this out when I accidentally left it in my shirt pocket and it went into the wash. I found it, let it dry, it still works!
3 of 3 customers found the following review helpful:
 It's not really a Laser Barcode Scanner!!!, 2007-04-04
This product socks, because I wanted an easy way to scan barcodes, but this "work of art" is a headache, you have to be a master at scanning barcodes with a "Photo Camera", because that is what really is. Take a look to the tips to scan provided by the manufacturer, and you will see stuff like:
1.- Minimize movement during scanning -->(YOU REALLY CAN'T MOVE A BIT)
2.- Provide adequate ambient lighting -->(YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE PERFECT LITH TO TAKE A PICTURE OF THE BARCODE)
3.- Determine the optimum focal length -->(YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE PICTURE AT A EXACT DISTANCE EVERY TIME DEPENDING ON BARCODE THAT YOU WANT TO SCAN)
4.- Position the scanner at an angle -->(FINDING RIGHT ANGLE IS A REALLY DIFFICULT TASK)
5.- Experiment with different techniques and conditions -->(YOU HAVE TO HAVE A LOT OF PATIENCE AT MOMENT OF USING THIS PRODUCT).
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Appendix E Tips for Better Scanning
Socket's SD Scan Card 3E is based on miniature CMOS linear imaging technology. This device is basically a camera that captures rectangular digital images measuring about 1 degree high and 40 degrees wide. The imaging rate varies between about 20 and 40 images per second and automatically compensates for ambient lighting conditions -- the more ambient light, the more images per second. It is inappropriate, however, to compare this imaging rate to the rate of the sweeping beam of a laser scanner because the CMOS image is affected by blurring, while the laser technology is not. For this reason, it's important to hold this scanner still while scanning.
Adequate lighting of the target bar code is critical to scanning with imaging technology. Unfortunately, providing auxiliary lighting increases the size, energy consumption, control complexity and cost of the scanning device. For these reasons, the red light from the SDSC scanner is simply an aiming beam -- it does not add any auxiliary lighting to the target bar code. For this reason, it's important to provide adequate ambient lighting to the target bar code while scanning with this scanner.
Like all cameras, the SD Scan Card 3E has a "focal length" (minimum and maximum distance from the target) where the image can be clearly captured. The focal length of the SDSC scanner is rather small compared to that of laser scanners. For best results while scanning "normal" sized bar codes such as the UPC codes used on retail items, the SDSC scanner should be held from about 4 to 7 inches (10 to 18 cm) from the target.
Tips for Maximizing SDSC Scanner Performance:
1. Minimize movement during scanning -- The SD Scan Card 3E must be held reasonably steady on the target for a short period of time while the camera focuses and captures a clear image. The scanner typically requires only several milliseconds to capture a clear image, no more than a quarter to a half of a second.
2. Provide adequate ambient lighting --The SDSC scanner, like any camera, works much better when the target bar code is well-lit.
3. Determine the optimum focal length -- The SDSC scanner has a fairly small focal length, so it is helpful to experiment until you find the best scanning distance. Hint: When encountering scanning difficulties, most people have a tendency to move the scanner too close to the target bar code! Try moving it farther away for better results.
4. Position the scanner at an angle -- No bar code scanner works well when positioned exactly perpendicular to the target bar code label, because the reflected light tends to "blind" the sensing mechanism. For best results, position the scanner at least 15 degrees away from the perpendicular to the surface of the bar code.
5. Experiment with different techniques and conditions -- The more you experiment with different techniques, lighting conditions, scanning distances and positions, the more proficient you will become.
Conclusion
Socket's SD Scan Card 3E is a convenient and affordable bar code scanning accessory for your mobile device, and with a little experimentation and practice, the performance will approach that of the larger and more expensive laser-based CompactFlash In-Hand Scan Card.
1 of 1 customers found the following review helpful:
Perfect product, 2007-01-11
It is perfect product and functions identically what I wanted. I can very quickly scan any barcode and it bring the barcode number on my cursor where ever I am working on my Palm Tungsten E2. I would rate is perfect. Would recomend to chk your usage and all details of this product on the web before buying. Salman Ahmad (India)
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