Zebra DS3608 / DS3678

Zebra DS3608 and DS3678 are ultra-rugged 1D and 2D barcode scanners from the DS3600 series for production halls, warehouses and cold stores. They survive drops to concrete, tumbles and being thrown around the workstation, so they work where ordinary scanners do not last. DS3608 is the corded version, DS3678 the cordless Bluetooth version for forklifts and rack work. The series includes several optics versions: from standard range, through very long range, to reading DPM codes marked on parts.

Key features

• 2.4 m drops to concrete across the full operating temperature range: at room temperature the manufacturer specifies 3 m, plus 7500 tumbles from 1 m. The scanner handles everyday drops from the workstation and forklift without downtime.
• IP65 and IP68 sealing: dust, water and jet washing do not take the scanner out of service.
• Operation from −30°C for the corded version, from −20°C for the cordless one: for cold stores and freezers. When moving between a freezer and the hall, the manufacturer recommends a heated holder to reduce condensation.
• Class 1 Bluetooth on the DS3678: at least 100 m range in open air, so the forklift operator scans labels on racks and pallets without getting off. Wi-Fi Friendly mode limits interference with the warehouse network, and Virtual Tether alerts when the scanner goes out of range.
• PowerPrecision+ 3100 mAh battery: over 100,000 scans per charge, and over 80,000 on the XR version. A gauge on the scanner shows the charge level, and the cradle contacts are rated for 250,000 insertions.
• PRZM technology and up to 20 codes in one scan: damaged, dirty and poorly printed labels are read on the first try. A read is confirmed by LEDs, a beep, vibration and illumination of the barcode.
• USB, RS-232 and keyboard wedge: the scanner connects to a PC, mobile computer or POS. One cradle serves up to 7 cordless scanners.
• Industrial Ethernet through Network Connect: with the manufacturer's adapter the scanner sends data to the machine network over EtherNet/IP, Profinet, Modbus TCP or TCP/IP, without third-party converters.

How to choose a variant

• Corded or cordless. DS3608 for a fixed production station and the lowest temperatures. DS3678 for forklifts and wherever the operator moves away from the station.
• SR and HP. SR is enough for typical labels: it reads a 20 mil Code 128 from up to about 71 cm. HP reads the same code from about 114 cm, and also captures photos, documents and text (OCR).
• XR, very long range. XR reads codes from a few centimeters to tens of meters: a 15 mil Code 128 from about 4 m, and large 100 mil codes from more than 26 m. The green laser aimer stays visible across the whole decode range. XR is the successor to the ER version and according to the manufacturer offers over 40% more range.
• HD and DP. HD is for very small, dense codes. DP reads DPM codes that are dot-peened, laser-etched, chemically etched or ink-marked on parts, including shiny and curved surfaces, as well as regular labels.
• KD, keypad and display. DS3678 variants with 19 keys and a color display let the operator key in data such as a quantity without walking to a PC.
• Kit. Some variants are the scanner only, and some are kits with a cable, cradle and power supply. In kits, check the AC line cord: it may be a US cord or missing altogether, in which case we add a European one.
• Line integration. At automated stations choose a kit with the Ethernet adapter, in the Profinet or EtherNet/IP version.

The manufacturer provides a 36-month warranty on the scanner and cradle and 12 months on the battery.