The barcode reader is what does the real magic. Basically, it types in the number it reads. Prices vary widely from $40 to $1,000. Some of the more expensive ones can read barcodes faster, in brighter light and/or can decipher scratched or hard to read barcodes.

What you need at a minimum

• USB barcode reader that reads your barcode number format.
We have been using "Code 39 barcode" tags which are widely supported by most readers.
• It must send a carriage return after it reads the barcode. Some of the very low cost scanners do not do this. Most do, and some you need to program for this to work.

Options

• Trigger button to initiate scanning
• Auto sensing scan
• Barcode alignment

Our first purchase was the Honeywell Voyager MS9520 auto sensing with a stand (pictured above). The thought was we'd place this on a table and allow the children to approach and scan themselves in. The down side to this was that there was a learning curve as the children tried to get the distance and alignment correct for it to scan. We eventually removed it from the table stand and used it as a hand scanner to help align the reader to the tag. This proved to be the best method and why we recommend you get the "trigger" style readers as the Auto sensing version sometimes required us to "wake it up" to continue the scanning.

If you are willing to spend in the $400 plus range for a barcode reader then you might want the auto sensing with auto alignment (it figures out the orientation of the barcode and scans it, all you need to do is get it in front of the scanner). This would allow you to setup up a virtually automated system that could really speed up the check-in line.

This is a video of a scanner I'd love to try: Motorola DS9208 Omni Barcode Scanner



We've tested these:

• $40 Generic Scanner
• $150 Honeywell Voyager MS9520 both the auto sensing and trigger style
• $250 Motorola CS300

If you've had success with a particular scanner let us know so we can add it to the list.