JNS Tech Blog Posts

When operating a thermal transfer barcode printer, choosing the right label stock is only half the equation. The ink ribbon you select determines the sharpness, chemical resistance, and long-term durability of your printed barcode. Using the incorrect thermal transfer ribbon leads to common printing issues: faint barcodes that scanners cannot read, ink that smudges when… Read more: Thermal Transfer Ribbons Explained: How to Choose the Correct Ribbon Type

In warehousing, manufacturing, logistics, and retail distribution, barcode label printers are vital to daily operations. Selecting the right class of printing hardware—specifically deciding between a desktop barcode printer and an industrial barcode printer—directly impacts operational throughput, downtime risk, and long-term printing costs. While entry-level desktop printers offer low upfront costs and compact footprints, attempting to… Read more: Industrial Printers vs. Desktop Printers: When Should You Upgrade?

The primary difference between the Zebra ZD220 Direct Thermal (DT) and Zebra ZD220 Thermal Transfer (TT) models lies in the print mechanism, required consumables, and the long-term durability of the printed labels. Core Comparison Feature Direct Thermal (ZD220d) Thermal Transfer (ZD220t) Ribbon Requirement No ribbon. Uses heat-sensitive media. Requires ribbon (Wax, Wax-Resin, or Resin). Media… Read more: Zebra ZD220 Direct Thermal Versus Zebra ZD220 Thermal Transfer

In today’s global supply chain, operational speed and inventory accuracy dictate business survival. Whether you manage a high-density logistics hub, a fast-moving retail checkout, or a precision manufacturing line, every delay, misread barcode, or dropped terminal chips away at your bottom line. To maintain real-time visibility across your supply chain, you need hardware built for… Read more: Datalogic Barcode Scanners and Mobile Computers: Streamlining Enterprise Data Capture

Datalogic 2500 Quickscan Barcode Scanners, reliable, repeatable performance that you need. When using the Datalogic 2500 imager, you want a low-cost device with top guaranteed scanning performance and a reliable read every time, period. You want an easy to aim device that gives clear audible, tactile and visual feedback on each read, good or bad. You… Read more: Datalogic 2500 Quickscan Series

Wireless barcode scanners are a type of barcode scanner that does not require a physical cable connection to a host device. They use wireless communication technologies such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or RF to transmit scanned data to a receiving device. Wireless barcode scanners offer a number of advantages over wired barcode scanners, including: Wireless barcode… Read more: Wireless Barcode Scanners: A Comprehensive Guide

The Datalogic Quickscan QW2120 Lite is our best selling and most popular USB Barcode Scanner. The QW2120 is ideal for Retail, Light Manufacturing, Document and Bill Processing, Banking and Financial Environments. The QW2120 USB Barcode Scanner Features: Multi Purpose uses for different applications The QuickScan Lite QW2100 linear imager is an entry level product created… Read more: USB Barcode Scanner for General Use

There is such a variety of different types of Barcode Scanners available that it can be quite confusing to figure out which model will suite your specific application. In this article I will try my best to explain the differences between the different types. Categories of Barcode Scanners Linear or 1D Barcode Scanners These types… Read more: Types of Barcode Scanners Explained

Here I will explain how to set the Cipherlab 8001 to accept and work with a Lookup file. The lookup file will allow the user to scan an item and see the matching description or any other information in the lookup file on the display. We will use the Forge Batch Application Generator explained in… Read more: Setting Up The 8001 With Lookup File

A tutorial on the Cipherlab Forge Batch Application Generator for the 8001 PDT. It will work the same for the rest of the 8 Series PDT’s from Cipherlab. Screen sizes may differ and there will be additional features but the basics stay the same. To install the USB Drivers and the Forge Batch Application Generator… Read more: Using The Forge Batch Application Generator

Cipherlab 8001 Erasing Flash Memory – There might come a time when you find it necessary to erase the memory. Here is a step by step guide on the procedure and to reload the firmware file. Three Modes Available Lets first look at the three modes that can be selected on the Cipherlab 8001. Application… Read more: Cipherlab 8001 Erasing the Flash Memory

Reloading firmware on the Cipherlab 8001 is needed after erasing the flash memory explained in a previous article. We will be loading the file “U8000-v4020.shx” which will take the unit back to its factory default state illustrated in the pic below. Forge Batch Application Generator You should have the USB Drivers and the Forge Batch… Read more: Reloading Firmware Cipherlab 8001

A short tutorial on how to install the Cipherlab 8001 and 8200 on your computer. This covers the USB kit, the RS232 model is slightly simpler. Install the USB Drivers First download USB Drivers (CP210x_VCP_Windows_v6.7) and install. This will install the USB Driver needed to make the Cipherlab 8001 communicate with your PC via the USB… Read more: How to install the Cipherlab 8001

Cheap Entry Level Barcode Scanners, good quality with a minimum of 1 Year Warranty. We at JNS Technologies have had a good look at all the cheaper barcode scanners on the market and have rejected many of them due to reliability issues. Here is our recommended list of cheap entry level 1D and 2D handheld scanners: Argox… Read more: Cheap Barcode Scanners for sale

Stock taking barcode scanner are normally called Portable Data Terminals (PDT), Mobile Computers or PDA’s (Personal Digital Assistant). They differ from normal barcode scanners in that they are portable, have memory, a keypad, a display, scanning module and powered by  a battery. We will refer to the entry level Cipherlab 8001 as an example of… Read more: Handheld Stock Taking Barcode Scanner

After many hours of operation a Label Printer accumulates dust and dirt that can be harmful to the Thermal Print Head, Platen Rollers, gears or belts and the Main PC Board. It makes sense to have your barcode label printer serviced after a years operation.  The service consists of: Stripping the printer for visual inspection… Read more: Barcode Label Printer Service

This week we had the opportunity to test and review the newly released Argox iX4-250 Industrial Label Printer. In The Box The printer fits snugly and securely inside the box and won’t be damaged in normal transit. The box also contains the CD with the drivers, Bartender UL and Utilities for the Argox printers. A… Read more: Argox iX4-250 Industrial Printer Review

The Thermal Print Head of Barcode Label Printers are often the most expensive part of the printer. Proper care and cleaning should be done often to prolong the life of the thermal print head. It is strongly recommended that you clean the print head when you load a new roll of media (label roll), or… Read more: Thermal Print Head Cleaning.

Argox D4-250 Direct Thermal Label Printer The Argox D4-250 Direct Thermal is a new model from one of the leading manufacturers that supports a wide range of applications at an affordable price. We often take a product and take an in depth look at its design, construction and workings. Last week it was the Argox… Read more: Argox direct thermal label printer

Cipherlab 1704 Rugged 2D Barcode Scanner CipherLab’s handheld 2D scanner enables you to capture more symbologies in nearly any application. For manufacturing, warehouse, logistics, and more, you can depend on the CipherLab 1704 scanner to help save money and increase productivity. Rugged Value, High Performance LONG-LASTING VALUE We designed the 1704 to give you long-lasting… Read more: Rugged 2D Barcode Scanner

The Zebex Z-6070 USB Presentation Barcode Scanner is a good unit that very seldom fails or developes major faults.  The only problem that seems to occur frequently is the two reset buttons on the sides of the scanner that become faulty or in many cases just goes missing. Our Technical Guy received quite a few… Read more: Zebex Z-6070 Barcode Scanner Repairs

Our Technical Team received this Cipherlab 8001 Portable Data Terminal that had no sound when the buttons were pressed or when scanning. The unit was also scanning poorly. Our Technical Guy tested the unit and determined that the small beeper on the board was not working and the scan lens dirty causing the unit to… Read more: Cipherlab 8001 Repair and Service

There are some Honeywell Barcode Scanner Models that have been retired lately, below are two retired models and their replacements. Handheld Products 3800G, Welch Allyn 3800G and the later model Honeywell 3800G. Replacement for the 3800G will be the new Honeywell 1300G Hyperion Linear Imager Barcode Scanner. The Hyperion 1300g delivers outstanding linear imaging performance and… Read more: Honeywell Retired Barcode Scanner Replacements

If your vertical or presentation scanner is battling to scan smaller barcodes which it once did effectively, it is possibly caused by a dust buildup internally on the optic surfaces. The laser scanners all use a rotating mirror motor which spins at high speed to distribute the laser light across mirrors to achieve the scan… Read more: Vertical or Presentation Barcode Scanners not Scanning Effectively

Please be aware that the Honeywell 3800G and the 1300G models look similar but do not use the same cable. The connector end of the cables differ between the 3800G and the 1300G Apart from the physical difference between the cables, the pin configurations also differ resulting in damaged to the components on the PC… Read more: Honeywell 3800G and 1300G Barcode Scanner Cables

Our technical department received this Bixolon SRP-770II for a Thermal Print Head change and a major service. It is evident that this printer works hard and has printed hundreds if not thousands of labels in quite a dirty environment. The printer was completely stripped down, covers washed and main PC Board cleaned. Re-assembled and all… Read more: Bixolon SRP-770II Repair and Service

This new model Barcode and Label Printer from Argox is ideal for low to medium general purpose use. The O4 series offers a user friendly clamshell design that allows users to simply open the cover and easily load thermal ribbon and media. The O4-250 prints at 7 inches per second or 17.78 cm per second.… Read more: Argox O4-250 Label Desktop Printer

The RS31 series has built-in multi-touch panel that provides a smooth touch-centric experience for its users. Its high sensible touch panel supports users’ touches from bare fingertips to latex gloves. Performing under the Andriod 6.0 operating system, the RS31 ensures minimal user training with similar personal smartphone operation experiences. Weighing at 260 grams, its lightweight… Read more: Cipherlab RS31 Touch Mobile Computer with Andoid 6.0 Now Available!

Procedure explained for repairs and servicing to an Argox printer. When we receive a barcode label printer for repairs the printer is first tested to determine any faults in the operation of the printer. The printer is then opened for a visual inspection of all the components and boards.  At this point a quote is… Read more: Repairs and Servicing of an Argox X2000+ Barcode Label Printer

Argox AS-8050 an excellent general purpose handheld barcode scanner! Fast 1D barcode reading. New technology and powerful scan engine with excellent performance highly increases the reading speed. Up to 3mil reading capacity. High density resolution that can capture the code on 3mil barcode such as jewelry tags. Easy to read screen barcodes. Support all type… Read more: General Purpose Handheld Barcode Scanner Argox AS-8050

For more information on the Argox CP-2240 click here

Our RJ-3000 Series portable printers are smaller and lighter than ever before. They provide the perfect on-person device for mobile workers needing a 2” or 3” printing solution – from emergency services and field sales to delivery drivers, engineers and traffic wardens. And the RJ-3150 can print up to 3” receipts, quotes and labels on… Read more: Brother RJ-3150 Rugged Mobile Receipt and Label Printer

Wireless or portable barcode scanners can mean one of two things: Normal Barcode Scanners with no wire connecting them to a terminal but using a radio frequency or Bluetooth connection between the scanner and its base station. A portable data terminal is also sometimes referred to as a wireless scanner. A PDT is a device… Read more: Wireless Barcode Scanners

To print your own labels with either text or barcodes or both, you will need the following: Barcode Label Printer Barcode Software Self adhesive labels or tags Thermal Ribbon if using Thermal Transfer Printer Barcode Label Printers There are a variety of label printers available from the leading manufacturers like Argox, Honeywell (Intermec), Datamax, Zebra. Printers… Read more: What you will need to create your own Barcode Labels.

What is a QR Code and which Barcode Scanners can read them? A QR Code or Quick Response Code are 2D (Two Dimensional) barcodes that can hold a lot more information that the traditional 1D (One Dimensional) Barcode. 1D Barcode 2D Barcode or QR Code QR Codes are printed in magazines, business cards and can… Read more: QR Code Scanners

Are you having a problem with your printed barcode labels? We will try and give examples of all the faults and how to remedy them. Barcode scanners not able to read your printed label The most common cause of scanners not being able to read barcodes  printed on labels is caused by dead pixels on… Read more: Problems with Barcode Printers

Are you facing the frustration of a barcode scanner that is not working as it should? We will in this article try and give you ideas of what to look for to rectify the problem you are having. Not scanning barcode.  If you are pointing the scanner at the barcode and activating the trigger and… Read more: Barcode Scanner not working?

The Voyager 1202g-bf is the first battery free bluetooth laser barcode scanner. Instead of using a conventional battery to power the scanner the 1202g-bf uses a supercapacitor capable of achieving a full charge in less than 35 seconds. That is enough power for at least 100 scans. With no tethered cable to trip over, you’ll benefit… Read more: New Battery Free Wireless Barcode Scanner Honeywell 1202g-BF

Barcode Scanners have through the changes in technology become easier to use than a few years ago when scanners had to plug into decoders and used external power supplies. The majority of users now plug the scanners into PC’s or other devices with USB cables. Scanners can also be used with Keyboard Wedge or Serial… Read more: Choosing the Right Barcode Scanner for your Application