HELP! Job depends on it. Is anyone familiar with TELXON or SYMBOL inventory scanners used for inventory?

Question

The are wireless hand held scanners used for inventory control. My problem is that I need to know just how perfect these are? When I use one, sometimes it drops numbers, doesen't transmit the numbers I punch in, it goes dead in the middle of a function, sometimes it flashes 'power fault' but then continues on, etc... my employer says this is impossible because these guns are perfect! Does anyone else have anything they can tell me about these scanners or about maintinence they should have.... anything would be appreciated. I know these guns are screwing up.

Answer 1

They are both good brands of bar code scanners, but they don't last forever. What you describe sounds more like a faulty battery pack. The laser pulls quite a bit of power when scanning and could be causing a voltage drop, If the battery is not up to snuff. Also the transmitter sometimes uses a lot of power if you are not close to the base.
Another thing that can cause read problems is a poorly printed bar code. I've seen a Symbol 3800LRT (which is an old scanner) read a bar code that was half there, and I know the Telxon are just as good. The bar code itself has error detection features that the scanner can check, (except Code 39 ). Since the decode occurs after the read, what you describe doesn't sound like a read problem.
As for maintenance, You may need to occasionally clean the window for the laser. Lense papers work okay for this. The wireless scanners usually use a frequency-hopping spread-spectrum that is pretty immune to inteference. You base unit may be getting interference, and the battery pack should be tested occasionally, some of the storage-chargers racks can check the battery.
Hint: Batteries plus may e able to rebuild the battery packs for less than buying a new one from the manufacturer.

Answer 2

Niklaus... has it right. You may tell your boss that NO technology is perfect, and especially wireless tech. One other point I should make-a great deal depends upon the SOFTWARE that you are using; it should ideally have error checking functions built in (a checksum, if you will). If your boss insists that they are perfect, tell him that I have some land in Florida I'd be willing to sell him, CHEAP!