The area of application of the barcode scanner is very broad. Technically speaking, the scanners can be used in any software that waits for keyboard input. The scanners are used in payment systems, warehouse software or in domestic DVD management in order to save having to enter the title or the product name. You can even create your own forms in Excel or Word in which fields are replaced by the scanned barcodes. A friend asked me which barcode scanner would be mac-compatible, so I went looking for it and looked at what systems exist and what operating systems the scanners work with.
I would also like to briefly name a few examples of software that works with such scanners:
- Delicious Library 3 - a software that can manage everything: toys, DVDs, blurays, books, CDs, wines and much more. It can be adapted to virtually any area of application.
- LibraryHunter - a library software for OS X and iOS.
- Data crow - a recommendation for Windows users, with which you can catalog all kinds of things.
Chapter in this post:
USB or Bluetooth - the first decision
In order to decide on a device, you should first know where I want to use it. If I walk around the warehouse with an iOS and have to take inventories, then a USB scanner is definitely not the best choice. If I usually sit at home on my Mac and only scan the barcodes of my books here and there in order to record them in an Excel list or other software, then an inexpensive wired USB scanner can be the right choice. There is another variant for Windows users, namely wireless radio scanners that work with a USB dongle that is electronically coupled to the hand scanner. This works at 2,4 GHz and sends the data with a greater range than Bluetooth can achieve. The disadvantage is: You absolutely need a scanner AND a USB dongle to work and these variants are not available for the Mac or iOS.
For this reason, there are actually only two good barcode scanners for the Mac that I would like to introduce here. These have made it onto the best-of list due to positive customer reviews and good compatibility with Mac or iOS devices.
Inateck BCST-10: Barcode scanner with USB cable, WLAN or Bluetooth connection
The Inateck scanner BCST-10 is certainly a good choice if you don't know exactly what you will be using the scanner for in the future. It can be connected to the Mac using the included USB cable or via Bluetooth 4. For technical reasons, iOS devices such as the iPad or the iPhone can only be paired via Bluetooth 4. It is important that we are talking about the BCST-10 model (USB + Bluetooth). There is also an Inateck BCST-20 that can be selected on Amazon as a "variant" of the same product. This then goes under “USB Cable + Wireless 2,4GHz” on Amazon, but this version is not compatible with iOS and also only works with a small USB 2,4GHz transceiver that you install on Windows must. This version will not work on Mac OS X (Yosemite).
I have marked you here which version you need:
Advantages and disadvantages of the Inateck BCST-10:
There are Customer Reviews A few comments on the Inateck BCST-10 barcode scanner, from which I would like to put together a list with the most interesting points. I think these will help other users decide as well:
- The Inateck scanner offers both wired USB and Bluetooth and is therefore very flexible in use.
- Thanks to Bluetooth 4 and a 1500 mAh Li-ion battery, it is very economical and lasts for a long time (approx. 1 week of use).
- Very robust construction (a fall of 1,5 m was tested).
- Unfortunately, it is not programmable (a user needs a kind of prefix for a program, but this is not supported).
- A problem with the US or German keyboard layout and with number rotators when scanning under Mac OS X can already be avoided with pairing. There are two methods, the simpler being the more error-prone. One should use the more complicated second method, which is also presented in the video below. There is still that here Link to the instruction manual.
- For a customer, the scanner sometimes loses the German keyboard layout. This can be remedied by scanning the configuration barcode for the German layout from the instructions every now and then. Then everything will be ok.
- According to a customer, the scanner's laser beam is nice and wide and can also scan barcodes on round objects.
- Unfortunately, the scanner does not show the status of the battery. That means you never know how long the battery will last and when it will run out. A battery indicator under iOS would be nice, but is currently more of a case for the wish list.
- The range of the Bluetooth is specified with up to 10 meters, which according to the customers is also possible.
- Unfortunately, the beep of the scanner when the scan is complete cannot be switched off and is a bit annoying for the user. I think so, but it's normal to get a control beep.
- The buffer memory may be of interest to one or the other, as it allows up to 2600 codes to be read in, which can then later be transferred to the software or to a Word or Excel document.
- The scanner has a power-saving function: if you put it to one side, it switches itself off after a few seconds and indicates this with a beep.
- The manufacturer Inateck is constantly developing the scanner's firmware and offers very good German-speaking support. Even customers who had a defective device twice and then gave it a 1-star rating later changed the rating to a 5-star rating after realizing how courteous the support is.
- The included USB cable is 2 meters long and offers enough freedom if you have to walk around at work.
The following video shows the pairing of the Inateck scanner BCST-10 with the different operating systems. Mac OS X is also included and starts with method 1 from minute 3:07. The second, better pairing method (because it is less error-prone) starts at 3:50 minutes. Pairing on iOS starts at 4:41 minutes.
If you are interested in the Inateck scanner, you will find the product here on Amazon:
ARGOX AS-8000 USB barcode scanner (wired)
The barcode scanner also has good reviews AS-8000 from ARGOXwhich only works via a USB connection. It is a good solution for people who are sure that they do not need a Bluetooth scanner, because the cable eliminates the problem with the empty battery that can occur again and again with the battery barcode scanner and that in front of customers can come across as quite unprofessional. But now to the advantages, disadvantages and comments on the AS-8000:
- With a scanning distance of approx. 25 cm, it is also able to scan barcodes on round surfaces (bottles, cans, etc.). Slightly wavy barcodes are also not an issue.
- The scanner can be largely configured and is also able to transmit special characters before and after the actual barcode, which is important for some applications (prefix, suffix).
- The scanner is recognized on the computer like a USB keyboard – i.e. plug & play. You only have to "teach" the German keyboard by scanning the barcodes supplied. If you only scan numbers, you don't have to do this either.
- It also supports the new GS1 DataBar barcode, which is to be supported by all POS systems by 2014 at the latest. The GS1 DataBar is a linear barcode that can also contain additional information about the product in the smallest of spaces (type of fruit, best before date, weight, etc.) and which can be read in any direction.
- A Mac user who scans ISBN numbers to manage his books writes: "Handling and operation are foolproof". That's how it should be!
- Instructions from ARGOX you should set the German keyboard layout. And you can also switch off the beep using the instructions - a wish of some users, as you could also read above on the Inateck scanner.
- The device works not only with the Mac but also with Debian GNU / Linux and Windows 7 and 8.
- The only problem I could find: The instructions are only available in English and not in German. Since you only need this for setting up at the beginning (even briefly), this is no reason to devalue the scanner.
My conclusion on the barcode scanners
I would summarize it like this: If you need a Bluetooth scanner and don't need a lot of configurability, you should Inateck scanner BCST-10 use. It also offers German instructions and works directly via the USB cable if necessary. Another advantage is that it works with iPhones or iPads via Bluetooth, which is not possible with the ARGOX scanner.
For all those who want to configure their scanner a little more and have to use prefixes or suffixes, for example, or who want to switch off the beep, the USB barcode scanner from ARGOX (Albasca) well served. Both devices do their job very well, and they are also Mac-compatible. Both are basically a buy recommendation - this is shown by the many very good reviews.
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Jens has been running the blog since 2012. He acts as Sir Apfelot for his readers and helps them with technical problems. In his spare time he rides electric unicycles, takes photos (preferably with the iPhone, of course), climbs around in the Hessian mountains or hikes with the family. His articles deal with Apple products, news from the world of drones or solutions to current bugs.
The page contains affiliate links / images: Amazon.de
Thank you very much, this is a well structured and comprehensible description of the scanner. Well written and user-friendly.