Tips for Bluetooth 1D Scanners for the iPad
1) Pairing of the Scanner to the iPad needs to be easy and quick
2) Battery Life needs an auto power off and ez turn on
3) Scanner features, aesthetics, programmable options and power save
My Scanner Pick?
Motorola CS3070 is my current favorite 1D Bluetooth Barcode scanner.
Why?
Fast pairing, great battery life, has the extra key to pop up the iPad keyboard (via software), contour design comfortably fits your hand and is easy on the thumb (if you use the others for prolonged use, your thumb and well you’ll know what I mean), easy Bluetooth repairing (but keep the pairing manual or the barcode # page handy), it also turns itself off after no activity to conserve battery power. The fast pairing/repairing is a must to quickly change scanners to other devices Ipads or Pc’s, a great battery life, and little features like the Motorola M turns blue when your Bluetooth pairing.
Easy to remember how to fast pairing, great battery life and quick recharge, the CS3070 has two keys, a large scanning key and and an extra key to program for items like a code to pop up the iPad keyboard ( done via software), a contoured design comfortably fits your hand and is easy on the thumb (if you use the others for prolonged use, your thumb tires and well you’ll know what I mean), easy Bluetooth repairing
I’m reluctantly downgrading my recommendation of the Opticon 2006 to a “do not buy”.
The Opticon 2006 has lost my 1st place favor and vote, as I seem to continuously have huge pairing problem/issue in multiple showrooms. I have used and even physically returned a lot to Opticon Tech support hoping for a firmware update, with no remedy we returned and replaced with Motorola CS3070.
The issue, the skittish initial Bluetooth pairing and repairing when the devices lose each other. This issue could be duplicated and became a huge problem when a paired scanner left the Ipad Bluetooth range. The Opticon 2006 lot in question? All new January 2015 purchase first time use. The scanners lost pairing and complicating temperament of not wanting to repair became a huge problem in a busy showroom environment. The repairing issue could be duplicated when a paired scanner left the paired Ipad Bluetooth range. Other issues
Other issues are battery life. The Opticon does not auto power off feature (or at least not by default) and will drain the battery if you do not power it down manually via the sequence of holding the key down which if mixed will wipe all settings from the scanner. The best method is to keep it charged and plugged into a smart power source.
The Cheapest Scanner that works?
The Unitech MS 910
I’ve used this unit sparingly, It’s a great price point, know it does not have the extra screen pop key for the keyboard and we noticed the range or the reach of the scanner laser is reduced over the others (had a problem reading barcodes on the top shelves in the showroom, and also noticed a problem with select catalogs). The price is great though at -$100 less than the cost of my “Go To” Bluetooth Motorola CS3070.
Battery Life is amazing and a contender for a low price and works at minimum tech budget.
