I agree with Giles' opinion that your regular handheld barcode scanner 
is sufficient for 95% of use cases and it's a very simple machine -- 
brand means almost nothing. If the issue is cost, when I wanted one for 
scanning my own home collection I got a used library barcode scanner 
(Symbol 1908T-X) on eBay for $9 (+$20 shipping) and then looked up the 
manual online to customize the settings.

> Riesner, Giles W. <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
> July 1, 2014 at 3:42 PM
> Riley,
>
> Basically ANY barcode scanner would work for you. Barcode scanners 
> simply read in data as though it was typed in from a keyboard.
> What matters is that you have the symbologies you need enabled. 
> Library barcodes tend to be Codabar (which is not always enabled
> by default), while stores often use UPC/EAN (which is usually 
> enabled). And the barcodes for our students and staff at the College are
> in Code 128. If you can attach the barcode reader to a laptop and scan 
> the barcodes into a blank text file, then it's enabled.
>
> If you grab a copy of the manual for the barcode reader you can see 
> how to program in any prefixes or suffixes you need and
> more - things like being able to tell which symbology is being used.
>
> If all you're doing is scanning in barcode numbers to say that this 
> piece of equipment is here, you don't even need a special
> program, just a text file that can be imported into Excel. We do 
> something similar and upload data to our library system to update
> the inventory of our collection at the various Branches.
>
> There are indeed apps for Android and IOS devices that might enable 
> you to use a phone to do it too.
>
> Just my .02 worth.
>
> Regards,
>
>
> Giles W. Riesner, Jr. | Lead Library Technician , Library Technology
> The Community College of Baltimore County | 800 South Rolling Road | 
> Catonsville, MD 21228 USA
> Phone: 1-443-840-2736 | Fax: 1-410-455-6436 | Email: [log in to unmask]
> CCBC. The incredible value of education.
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Code for Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf 
> Of Riley Childs
> Sent: Monday, June 30, 2014 9:24 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [CODE4LIB] Barcode scanner
>
> I am trying to find a barcode scanner that i can do inventory with, I 
> was looking at the KDC20, but it is a tad out of my price range, what 
> barcode scanner do you like? I have a Metroset Voyager (Honeywell 
> branded) that i like, but am trying to see what others have and get 
> some better suggestions.
>
> Riley Childs
> Student
> Asst. Head of IT Services
> Charlotte United Christian Academy
> (704) 497-2086
> RileyChilds.net
> Sent from my Windows Phone, please excuse mistakes
> Riley Childs <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
> June 30, 2014 at 9:23 PM
> I am trying to find a barcode scanner that i can do inventory with, I 
> was looking at the KDC20, but it is a tad out of my price range, what 
> barcode scanner do you like? I have a Metroset Voyager (Honeywell 
> branded) that i like, but am trying to see what others have and get 
> some better suggestions.
>
> Riley Childs
> Student
> Asst. Head of IT Services
> Charlotte United Christian Academy
> (704) 497-2086
> RileyChilds.net
> Sent from my Windows Phone, please excuse mistakes

-- 
Ruth Collings
Web Librarian
ruthcollings.ca <http://ruthcollings.ca>