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Keep it simple: an insider's guide to our 2D OEM Scan Engines

At Newland, we build all AIDC devices from the ground up. That starts with our own scanning hardware at their core, enter: the Newland OEM scan engine portfolio. The release of the new N1 earlier this month expands this portfolio. As the smallest allround scan engine to date, it slots seamlessly into devices where space is at a premium. But how exactly does the N1 compare to its Newland counterparts? With performance demands increasing while device sizes decrease, we are here to help you unravel each engine’s unique scanning potential. Time to line up the N1 and its in-house peers: EM2096, EM3296, EM3396 and the EM3080-W.

OEM comparison

Portability

When it comes to optimizing scanners to move around a stock or shop floor, a balance between size, weight, energy consumption and scanning prowess is key. In other words: it depends on portable efficiency. This is where the freshly released N1 OEM engine excels. Aside from its compact footprint, the N1 also features the best power-weight ratio in its class. At only 21.5 x 9 x 7mm and 1.2 grams, its size and ultra low power consumption are only rivaled by the EM3080-W. Moreover, it gets close to the additional illumination, aiming and scanning distances previously only featured in larger units like the EM3296. This precious balance is what truly sets the N1 OEM engine apart from other engines when portability is key.

Winner: N1

Integration Flexibility

While of importance to AIDC technology of all shapes and sizes, ease of integration tops the list when it comes to choosing the right OEM scan engine. With its separate decoder board, the EM2096 engine proves to be most flexible to integrate into existing machinery where space is already restricted. The detachable decoding board can be an advantage retrofitting a scanning solution into an already component crowded design. The N1 OEM scan engine, however, does not fall far behind with the smallest overall footprint. Due to its compact size, the N1 can squeeze into particularly small spaces without having to detach the decoding element.

Winners: EM2096 & N1

Precision Aiming

If you are mainly aiming to hit your scanning targets with precision, the engine’s aiming specs should be a key focus. As the only engine in this line up to pack a laser aimer, the EM3396 engine will definitely stand its ground in situations where accuracy is key. Specifically in portable integrations, where the laser can guide the user's eye to add confidence when it comes to scanning the code they intend to scan. While this visual guidance helps increase intuitive user accuracy, it is important to note that it does not affect the engine’s scan accuracy. In certain cases, the use of laser aiming can even come at a disadvantage. In applications where the engine is customer-facing or integrated on eye-level, a laser indicator could harm the eye-sight of its user. Additionally, they also have a higher energy consumption, making them less efficient for portable solutions. For such applications, all remaining engines offer LED dot aiming technology.

Winner: EM3396

Self-Service Solutions

When it comes to superior self-service scanning, integrated scan engines should empower even the most inexperienced user. They need to ensure smooth operations no matter the size, material, or the angle at which the barcode is presented. With the smallest depth of field (DOF) and widest field of view (FOV), the EM3080-W is best integrated in self-service solutions. Especially when presented with a large range of barcodes, whether big, small, thin or wide. A good example of this being a DIY warehouse self-checkout counter. If you are looking for an OEM engine that combines fast, intuitive scanning, in particular off mobile phone screens, the EM3296 has established itself as an excellent fit. Nonetheless, like the remaining scanners in this equation, the N1 also packs the essentials to tackle a wide range of self-service applications.

Winners: EM3296 & EM3080-W

Find your spotlight

Overall, it’s clear that each of these 5 scanners (as many others in Newland’s wide OEM scan portfolio) have their own strengths. While hard to spot once integrated, it just takes putting them in the spotlight to find the right fit for you. Contact your local Newland representative today for additional information on our full range of OEM scanners.