These are the most frequently-asked questions concerning our TriCoder Portable Readers. If you still can't find what you are looking for, email us with your question or pick up the phone and give us a call at 800-345-4220!

What's the difference between the $684 model and the $999 model?

The $999 unit has a built-in laser scanner; it is all one unit that needs only one hand to operate. The laser scanner is aggressive on high density bar codes, poorly printed bar codes, and bar codes wider than 4 inches. It reads up to 15 inches from the bar code.

The $684 unit operates with a cable connected gun CCD scanner. It's great for reading most bar codes (UPC included) from up to 6 inches - not good on high density bar codes, bar codes over 4 inches wide, and poorly printed bar codes. One hand holds the TriCoder, the other hand the gun.

Do I need to be a programmer to create a custom program on the TriCoder?

No. With no programming experience, most people can grasp the concepts of the program generator on the TriCoder. A tutorial on programming the TriCoder is in the PDF manual located on the TriCoder Utilities CD.

Can I upload data as keyboard data with the USB attachment?

Yes, the TriCoder can enumerate as a USB keyboard and/or a full speed USB device.

If I want keyboard data upload, should I use USB or the Y-Cable?

Both interface as a 2nd keyboard, transmitting scanned bar code data as keyed data. As long as your operating system is Windows® 98SE, XP, ME, 2000 or Vista, USB is the best option because:

1. the cable is cheaper
2. there are no timing issues with USB
3. unplugging the reader from the cable does not disable the keyboard

With USB, you will have to install a keyboard driver the first time you attach it to your PC, but that driver is the standard USB keyboard driver that comes with Windows, and is either on your hard disk already, or will be on your Windows CD. Installation is simple.

Do I need any software with the TriCoder?

No, shipped standard with every TriCoder are programs for:

1. uploading data to a file, using high speed USB or RS-232
2. updating the firmware from the latest firmware available on our website
3. creating a custom data collection program using Windows
4. saving and retrieving TriCoder programs to a Windows PC
5. downloading a lookup table from your PC to the TriCoder
6. interfacing the TriCoder to an Excel worksheet
7. high speed operation (driver)
8. integration of most of the above functions with application software by an ActiveX component

Does a manual come with the TriCoder?

In the Utilities CD ROM shipped with each TriCoder is a complete manual in PDF format. In addition, there is a printed QuickStart guide also shipped with each TriCoder.

How many records can 512K memory hold?

Assume you are reading a 12 digit UPC number and a 4 digit quantity. The number of item records you can store would be 512,000/18 or 28,000 plus. This would be several days of scanning and keying.