barcode scanners, anyone?

From: Tothwolf <tothwolf_at_concentric.net>
Date: Mon Sep 1 04:21:00 2003

On Sun, 31 Aug 2003, Nico de Jong wrote:
> From: "Fred N. van Kempen" <waltje_at_pdp11.nl>
>
> > Is anyone here knowledgeable in the area of (older) barcode laser
> > scanenrs? I got some Symbol handheld scanners, and they *seem* to
> > work (they beep when pointed at the barcode on my Coke bottle ;-) ...
>
> My experience is mainly with Intermec. What seems to be the problem ? If
> you want to do things off-line, you can write in Dutch.

I've had quite a bit of experience in repairing an Intermec 1545. I ended
up using Everclear to clean the optics, if that counts for anything. (Lab
grade alcohol proved to be quite difficult to obtain.) The "brains" of
these bar code readers are in the wedge, which with the right cables, can
support nearly any computer or terminal ever made. I'd actually not mind
finding a couple more 1545s with or without wedges, as they seem to be
pretty well made. The only major design flaw I've found with the 1545 is
the mounting of the red laser filter, which is stuck in place with a small
square of plastic with self stick adhesive. Intermec has had a lot of
problems with those falling off and the filter falling out of place.

-Toth
Received on Mon Sep 01 2003 - 04:21:00 BST