Datalogic Gryphon Review Review

Product: Gryphon
Manufacturer: Datalogic
Type: Cordless CCD Imager
Support: 2 Year warranty through Datalogic; Lifetime support from POSGuys


The Gryphon is Datalogic’s entry into the cordless retail barcode scanner market. It features their green dot aiming technology as well as RF or Bluetooth-based radios.

Typical uses and environments:
The Gryphon’s design and capabilities lend it to best work in low to medium volume retail environments, or locations with products too large or awkward to easily scan with corded or hands-free barcode scanners.

Unique Features & Advantages:
Much like the rest of Datalogic’s lineup, the Gryphon has the option to flash a green dot after a successful scan, illuminating the barcode it read. This increases accuracy when scanning and can help with closely populated barcodes. The cradle also features a battery conditioning button, which can aid in increasing the longevity of the rechargeable batteries shipped with the barcode scanner.

Standard Features:
The Datalogic Gryphon ships in three separate boxes and one bag, for the barcode scanner, communications/charging cradle, power cable, and interface cable. Fortunately, Datalogic provides kits that include the appropriate parts, taking out the guesswork during purchase.
The Gryphon comes in a white body with gray rubber molding along the handle and head of the unit. An LED on the head of the barcode scanner indicates when the scanner pairs to a cradle and when scans are being sent to the cradle.

Drawbacks:
The main drawback we encountered with the Gryphon deals with the rechargeable batteries. NiCd batteries are used in the device, which have a reputation for losing charge capacity faster than Lithium Ion or other rechargeable batteries. Datalogic has provided a battery conditioning button on the cradle which should increase battery life span, but the use of NiCd is something to consider when making a purchase.

Performance Testing:
To determine the capabilities of the Datalogic Gryphon, we ran it through a series of tests design to show the optimal scan range, resistance to damaged or dirty barcodes, smallest and largest density scannable, as well as radio range. Our tests showed the Gryphon to be an excellent barcode scanner for its class. We tested model 90671010, which features an RF radio, green dot technology, and USB interface cable.
The optimal scan range for the Gryphon scanning 100% UPC-A barcodes was from .75” to 18”, excellent for retail barcode scanning and, when complemented with the cordless capabilities, eliminates the hassle of moving hard to reach product when scanning. For dense barcodes, the barcode scanner could read as dense as 3.9 mil barcodes, putting standard retail barcodes well within optimal scanning densities.
Light resistance can cause problems for any barcode scanner, laser-based or imager. Fortunately, the Datalogic Gryphon is fully light immune, making it an excellent choice for locations with outdoor storage such as greenhouses or nurseries. It was also able to successfully scan our damaged barcodes, further enhancing its abilities in outdoor retail environments.
We were only able to get the Gryphon to properly transfer data from 70’ away before radio interference caused problems. Fortunately, once we were back within range, the barcode scanner automatically reconnected to the cradle, something many cordless barcode scanners don’t always do. While the 70’ range seems short compared to class, it should be more than enough for retail environments looking to add a cordless barcode scanner to their point of sale or inventory stations. Our model was the RF unit, which also prevents it from communicating to devices via BlueTooth. If you are looking to pair your barcode scanner to a laptop or mobile computer, the Gryphon is not for you.

A breakdown of the Datalogic Gryphon capabilities is listed in table and graph form below.



1D Results

Highest Density Barcode Scanned 3.9mil Great
Widest Barcode Scanned 187.96mm Great
Shortest Barcode Scanned 38 mm Good
Range Ideal Conditions (Standard 100% UPC-A) .75 inches – 18 inches Great
Scratched Barcode 3 of 3 Good
Worn Barcode 3 of 3 Good
Warped Barcode 2 of 2 Good
Curved Barcode 2 of 2 Good
Multiple Barcodes in close proximity Relatively accurate, but dependent on distribution of barcodes relative to thickness of beam Average
Scan through plastic layers 10 Layers Good
Multicolored Barcodes Successfully Scanned Blue, Gray Good
Multicolored Barcodes Not Scanned Red, Yellow, Black on Dark Gray Average
Simulated Sunlight Test Full Light Immunity Excellent

Conclusion:
The Datalogic Gryphon cordless barcode scanner provides excellent features for retail environments looking to go cordless. While the range is not as great as other scanners in its class, it can cover more than enough space for most retail environments.

To Purchase this product, go to the Datalogic Gryphon page.

To see our complete line of barcode scanners, visit our Barcode Scanners section.

For Additional Reviews, visit our Product Reviews page.


Similar Products Ideal Setting Description
Gryphon D110 Medium Volume Retail The Gryphon D110 features the same scanning capability and green dot technology as the M100, but comes in a cabled design.
Gryphon M100 Medium Volume Retail, Inventory Control Featuring an 18” scan range, 70 foot radio range, and green dot aiming technology, the Gryphon M100 is a good choice for retail locations looking to go cordless.
Powerscan M8300 Rough Retail, Light to Medium Industrial A laser scan engine, ruggedized body, and optional LCD display make the Powerscan M8300 a good cordless barcode scanner for industrial and rough retail environments.


Testing and evaluation results for the Datalogic Gryphon Review



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