Zebra DS2208 vs DS4308 Scanner Comparison
By: POSGuys - 1/23/2017

The new Zebra <a href="https://posguys.com/barcode-reader-scanner_3/Zebra-DS2208_2548/">DS2208</a> 2D barcode scanner, the newest edition to the on the <a href="https://posguys.com/barcode-reader-scanner_3/Zebra-LS2208_481/">LS2208 </a>and <a href="https://posguys.com/barcode-reader-scanner_3/Symbol-LI2208_1328/">LI2208</a> line of barcode scanners, is similar in many ways to the Zebra (formerly Symbol) <a herf="https://posguys.com/barcode-reader-scanner_3/Symbol-DS4308_2398/">DS4308</a>. Both the DS2208 and the DS4308 can scan 1D and 2D barcodes like QR codes, can scan off of smartphones, and automatically switch to hands free mode when placed in the stand. Determining which of these two scanners to is best for your business can be difficult because of their many similarities, so we went through a series of tests to compare the two scanners.

Compared to the DS2208, DS4308 has a better scan range, a better margin of error, and comes in a variety of different models, including high density, healthcare and driver license parsing versions. The DS2208 is only available in a standard model.

For a full look at our testing, see our in depth video comparing the DS2208 and the DS4308 scanners and the transcript below.
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The first test we're going to do is a basic range test. So with the 22, you can start from about an inch back and then you can go about, so about 6 inches back on a 7 mil barcode, and a 7 mil barcode is pretty tiny. And then here's the 43. So you can get really close, I can touch the barcode, so you can get closer, and I'm past 7 inches, about there, so reliably you can get scans at more like a foot. So there's your range difference between the two, you're looking at just under 7 inches to just under 12 inches.

So the next test I want to show is basically how far off center you can be and still get a scan. Of course when you scan vertically on center, you can get a scan no problem. So how far back can you be and get a correct scan. So I'm going to start with vertical, I'll come up to the barcode from the bottom, I'll try back up, a little closer. So right at about that 1 inch mark, and then I'll come from the side, it has to be right up on it. And then I'll come from a slight diagonal, about here, let's verify that. And then we'll try the 4308 and show the same thing, so I'm going to come up from the bottom, we'll mark here. Come up from the side and mark there, and then diagonal, and if you kind of draw a circle, there's your margin for error. So coming in. So you can see how the 4308 has a bigger range of error to get a correct scan. If we move over to the 2D barcodes, we'll do the same test. Similar results there, and then with the 43. So same kind of results, you can see that one circle is bigger than the other.

The other major difference with these barcode scanners is the aiming reticle. So with the DS22, you have a line and then when you push the trigger you get a field of light. So the line is pretty good, it's standard, what you kind of expect when to see from a linear imager, but this is an omnidirectional scanner. So you of course can scan across the bars, but you can also scan perpendicular, at an angle, whatever you want, it doesn't really matter, the line is there just to kind of tell you where the focus is. So with the 43, instead of a line, you get a dot, and it's much brighter than the line, and with the dot, there's no up or down, it's omnidirectional, so that really kind of hits home the fact that don't line up the barcode, just put it in the middle of the barcode and scan. So you can see the difference side by side, the bright light of the dot is a little brighter than the line, the line is just slightly dimmer. So I prefer the circle, but the line works okay as well.

So overall when comparing the DS22 series, and this is the DS2208, or the cordless DS2278, with the DS4308 or the cordless 4378, you can see that there is better performance in the DS43 series than the DS22 series. The aiming reticle also is a little more advanced, the dot is more omnidirectional than the line that you see on the DS22. Overall they scan similar types of barcodes, they scan well, they both scan off phones, or screens, on paper, they work for a variety of different barcodes. They all perform well, there's just slightly better performance on the 43, especially when you look at error correction, the circle is quite a bit bigger on the 43, which means you don't have to be as accurate, you can scan faster and focus more on interaction with your customer or what you're doing and less on just getting a good scan. To purchase the DS2208 or the DS4308 or for more information, please visit us at POSGuys.com. Thanks!

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Zebra DS2208 vs DS4308 Scanner Comparison By: POSGuys - 1/23/2017

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Zebra DS2208 vs DS4308 Scanner Comparison
By: POSGuys - 1/23/2017