There are three categories for symbol bar code scanners. There are commercial, industrial and hands-free.
Retail markets use commercial scanners for commercial processes, selling and distributing a product or service. Two of the most used commercial scanners are commercial laser and commercial 2D symbol scanners. The laser reader are able to detect codes as far as three feet or more. The commercial 2D can function both as 1D or 2D scanner. The 2D scanner is a little faster than the laser although lasers are satisfyingly quick and good enough to scan all types of bar codes.
WE might not have seen it but bar code scanners are used most importantly inside a manufacturer's house to keep track of how many product they have produced and are ready to be sold. It is also from here that it is most crucial since products are made here.
Hands-free scanners are simply scanners that could be used without having to use one's hand. This is pretty much what we see when cashiers would slide a product on laser light so that it would read the code.
Some scanners could be a plug and play device while others need a few configurations to make it work. Those that go with software are convenient when used since they add more functionality to the scanner. Software is designed in many ways so that it could match the need of the user if its for a bookstore, employee attendance or inventory purposes.
Symbol is a brand for a company that manufactures bar code equipment and services. They are now named under the Motorola company but decided to use the name "Symbol" since Symbol has been famous for creating reliable and durable bar code equipment.
Pharmacies, Slide Readers Scanners stores, bookstore, attendance booth, and hospitals all use symbol bar code scanners. The bar code scanners of good quality would have to be LS2208, LS4208 and LS9208.
Handheld scanners like LS2208 are sold in a cheaper price. The LS9208 is an adjustable scanner that could either be placed on a fixed area. While the LS4208 is a user-friendly device since it could simply be plugged and played and then its good to go.