LS2208 barcode scanner is Symbol’s entry into the mid-level retail class. LS2208 barcode scanner is a laser-based scanner that is equipped with cabling and auto-sense stand. Even though there is a stigma that laser-based scanners are not as durable as their CCD counterparts, Symbol with its LS2208 has gone to great lengths to eliminate this discrepancy. The LS2208’s durability and aggressive scan engine make it ideal for medium to high volume scanning environments, such as retail, industrial, and health care.
LS2208 barcode scanner comes with everything you need to get started right out of the box. Although the interface cable is not attached, no additional configuration is required to send the barcode data to the system. If further configuration is required, this scanner comes with a quick start guide that available at POSGuys.com and Symbol.com to change some basic functionality of the unit.
Rubberized edges around the beam hood, boot, and head unit of the scanner prevent the LS2208 barcode scanner from being damaged by products or damaging the products. It also acts as a shock dampener, absorbing the damage that could occur if it were to fall off a counter or ladder. The big plus of this scanner is shipped with the goose-neck auto-sense stand while most scanners come with just the interface cable. This allows the scanner to be set up in retail environments as a hands-free scanner with no additional purchases. This scanner utilizes a magnetic switch in the handle to activate auto-sense mode, meaning it can switch between handheld and hands free mode with no configuration.
The greatest strength of the LS2208 barcode scanner lies in the scan engine designed by Symbol. In testing wide barcodes, it can read barcodes 7” wide, with about 50 characters encoded. For density, LS2208 is capable of reading barcodes as small as 4.9 mil, thus this scanner is excellent for retail use. In addition, LS2208 can easily scan any barcode you will encounter in general use, and has the capability of scanning more complicated linear barcodes as needed.
The LS2208 barcode scanner offers an impressive working range of contact to 17 inches, along with a high-speed scan rate, allowing your employees to capture tool data faster and more accurately both close up and from a distance. To ensure compatibility with emerging standards, the LS2208 supports reduced space symbology (RSS) and 14-digit global trade item number (GTIN) bar codes. And, multiple on-board interfaces allow you to use your scanner with different host systems.
Unfortunately, like all Symbol scanners, LS2208 barcode scanner’s carriage return is not sent at the end of a scan by default. This can easily be remedied with the included quick start guide, but it does create one extra step to get the scanner fully ready to implement.
In short, the Symbol LS2208 barcode scanner provides excellent features out of the box at a competitive price within its class. It would fit in excellently at any retail, hospitality, or light industrial location given the aggressive scan engine and standard durability.