ASIN:B000GGTTC8, Adesso Contact CCD Barcode Scanner, Model NUSCAN 1000U. This is the USB model.

First, I should point out that this product is listed (on Amazon) as a CD-ROM but it is not a CD-ROM nor does it contain a CD-ROM.

The package comes with a scanner and a booklet. The scanner has a USB cable and no other cable options. The booklet contains some barcodes that let you adjust the scanner settings such as scan mode (trigger, auto, toggle) and audio feedback (tone, duration). The booklet is also available as PDF from the Adesso website. The booklet is not needed for normal operation.

Installation on WinXP involved plugging the scanner into the USB port, done. Once plugged in, it chimed the la cucaracha tune.

Usage was just as easy, point and shoot. The scanner button is rubbery yet has a nice click feel so it is very easy to use. The orientation (non-pistol style) was better than expected and is very easy to hold and scan items over and over. I was (wrongly) expecting to be able to hold the scanner inches away from the barcode but this type of scanner requires you to practically touch the product with the scanner for a successful scan. With a successful scan, the barcode numbers are entered into your computer just as-if you had typed them.

This scanner is very easy to install and operate – it couldn’t be any simpler, really. The scanner sends the data to your computer as though you’d typed the barcode in on the keyboard; thus it should work with any software that supports barcodes.

Configuring the unit for scanning modes and beeper volume/duration (it’s a little LOUD out of the box) is just as simple. There are a few barcodes printed in the manual that you scan per your preferences.

To test it, just point your browser to http://www.upcdatabase.com/itemform.asp, rest the scanner on a UPC code, and click the trigger. Even if the product isn’t in the database, you’ll get confirmation of a good read just by looking at the number read out by the scanner. (If it’s not in the database, do those good people at upcdatabase a favor and enter the product details). You could also use Amazon’s search feature with the device, in the same fashion: scan the product’s bar code rather than typing in its title.

I scanned in a dozen CDs sitting here at my desk about as quickly as a checkout clerk – so I stuck a pencil behind my ear, snapped my chewing gum a few times, asked myself if I found everything I was looking for and hollered “WET CLEANUP ON AISLE THREE!”

I am very happy with my scanner…it scans anything! Including ISBN’s which is helpful in my bookselling business and it also integrates with Booktrakker for data entry which prevents typos. I love it. Best thing I have ever bought for my business.