Symbol LS3008 Review Review
LS3008 Barcode Scanner
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The Symbol LS3008 is a professional level rugged linear scanner from Symbol/Motorola. The rugged design and rasterizing scan engine make it ideal for many locations.
Typical
uses and environments:The rugged design of the LS3008 and IP54 seal make it an ideal fit in environments that are rougher than standard retail or light industrial locations. The rasterizing scan engine allows the scanner to effectively read damaged, dirty, or otherwise unreadable barcodes by creating an aggregate scan of all the “readable” locations. As such, the scanner would fit well in rough/warehouse style retail, light industrial, health care, or even standard industrial environments.
Standard Features:
The LS3008 ships from POSGuys.com with the interface cable boxed separately. This occurs because the LS3008 is designed for more industrial applications or for higher end users, who may already have the cable or may need a very specific cable to meet their needs. Thankfully, Symbol has designed the LS3008 to automatically detect which interface it is sending data to and adjust accordingly, meaning the device is plug-and-play with any interface. A goose-neck auto-sense Intellistand is available for purchase, which automatically sets the scanner into auto-sense mode for easy scanning. For increased durability, the LS3008 features rubber molding around the boot, beam hood, and beam window to prevent damage to itself and any products it may bump into.
Unique Advantages:
An IP54 seal on the LS3008 means that the scanner is resistant to windblown dust and random sprays of water. This seal means that the scanner can be wiped down without damaging the internals, excellent for health care professionals looking for an easily sterilized/sanitized scanner. The rasterizing scan engine can be set to be off, on all the time, or in a “smart” mode, where it will activate the raster mode only if it doesn’t get a read within a certain timeframe. This allows the LS3008 to scan more efficiently and easily scan damaged or worn barcodes.
Performance
Testing: In testing the Symbol LS3008’s capabilities, we ran it through a set of tests involving optimal scan range, ability to scan wide barcodes, dense barcodes, light resistance, and a general drop test to determine durability. Our testing determined the scanner to easily meet the needs of rough retail, warehouse, or industrial environmentsWhen testing wide and dense barcodes, the LS3008’s performance was very standard. The scanner experienced trouble scanning barcodes wider than 8” at a standard density, but that barcode also held 60 characters, well above what would be used in industrial settings. It could scan all but the 3 and 4 mil barcodes in our density test, meaning that it will easily handle the rigors of industrial barcode scanning. For light resistance, the LS3008 was able to scan properly in standard light conditions, as well as in outdoor lights. Scanning only became intermittent in bright light, with our 250w light about 8” away.
During durability testing, our LS3008 survived the 3’ and 6’ drops, but experienced hand board damage on the final 13’ drop. The drops were done without the interface cable attached, which we later learned reinforces the hand board. However, even with that handicap, the LS3008 survived well beyond what would normally be experienced in rough retail environments. Symbol’s specifications are drops from 6.5’ to concrete, thus the LS3008 exceeds those expectations.What really gives the LS3008 an edge is its scan range. The scanner was able to scan from contact to 24” away on a standard UPC-A barcode. This range is incredible for light to medium industrial class barcode scanners and shows the great prowess of the scanner. The scan engine is also aggressive enough to read through 12 layers of regular plastic, meaning barcodes can be protected from the elements and still easily scanned.
A breakdown of the Symbol LS3008’s capabilities is listed in table and graph form below.
1D Results
| Highest Density Barcode Scanned | 6mil | Good |
| Widest Barcode Scanned | 203mm | Great |
| Shortest Barcode Scanned | 38 mm | |
| Range Ideal Conditions (Standard 100% UPC-A) | Contact – 24” | Excellent |
| Multiple Barcodes in close proximity | Accurate aiming, but could accidentally scan incorrect barcodes in close proximity | Average |
| Scan through plastic layers | 12 Layers | Excellent |
| Multicolored Barcodes Successfully Scanned | Blue, Grey, B & W Inverse | Good |
| Multicolored Barcodes Not Scanned | Red, Yellow, Black on Dark Grey | |
| Simulated Sunlight Test | Correct scans until spotlight was at 8” |
Conclusion:
The Symbol LS3008 is an excellent intermediate step between retail-class barcode scanners and heavy industrial scanners. If you are looking for a scanner that is aggressive and durable, but at a lower price than the heavy industrial class, the LS3008 is a great choice.
To Purchase This Product, go to Symbol LS3008
For Addition Reviews, visit our Product Review Page.
To see our complete line of barcode scanners, visit our Barcode Scanners section.
| Similar Products From Symbol | Ideal Setting | Description |
 LS2208 |
All Retail, Light Industrial, Medium to High Volume Scanning | Excellent features for its price. Aggressive scan engine ensures accurate scans for all types of linear barcodes |
 LS3008 |
Light to Medium Industrial, Rough Retail, High Volume Scanning | More aggressive scan engine than LS2208, able to enter raster mode to scan damaged barcodes. IP54 seal protects it from dust & water. |
 LS3578 |
Heavy Industrial, Harsh Environments | Cordless barcode scanner has extended range or fuzzy logic scan engine to increase scanning ability. IP64 seal protects it from the elements. |
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Testing and evaluation results for the Symbol LS3008 Review
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All content included in this report is property of POSGuys.com and protected by U.S. and international copyright laws. Any use, including the reproduction, modification, transmission, republication, or display of the content without the express written consent of POSGuys.com is strictly prohibited.