Datalogic GBT4600-HC-BTK1-HP vs Datalogic GBT4500-BK-BTK1DRA: Specification Comparison
Both the GBT4600-HC-BTK1-HP and GBT4500-BK-BTK1DRA are Datalogic Gryphon I series handheld 2D area imager barcode scanners targeting retail, healthcare, and light industrial environments. Both share omnidirectional scan patterns, IP52 ingress protection, 5-year limited warranties, and overlapping wired interface options (USB, RS-232, Keyboard Wedge). This comparison examines the three dimensions most likely to drive a procurement decision: wireless capability and connectivity stack, physical form factor and ergonomics, and symbology breadth.
In This Guide
- Which scanner offers stronger wireless connectivity and a more capable interface stack?
- How do the two scanners differ in physical size, weight, and durability for extended shift use?
- Which scanner reads a wider range of barcode symbologies relevant to retail, healthcare, and logistics?
- Which should you choose: the GBT4600-HC-BTK1-HP or the GBT4500-BK-BTK1DRA?
- Side-by-Side Specs
- FAQ
Which scanner offers stronger wireless connectivity and a more capable interface stack?
The GBT4600-HC-BTK1-HP uses Bluetooth 5.2 Classic and Low Energy (LE) with HOGP keyboard emulation support, enabling both legacy pairing and modern BLE peripheral profiles. The GBT4500-BK-BTK1DRA uses Bluetooth 4.0 and also supports base station and inductive charging per spec, but lacks the BLE Low Energy profile and HOGP keyboard emulation cited for the 4600.
On wired interfaces both units share USB, RS-232, and Keyboard Wedge. The 4600 explicitly lists Bluetooth 5.2 as a fourth interface path, while the 4500's wireless is tied to its Bluetooth 4.0 base station. For deployments requiring BLE host connectivity, modern HID-over-GATT pairing, or future-proof wireless protocol support, the 4600's Bluetooth 5.2 stack is a meaningful differentiator.
How do the two scanners differ in physical size, weight, and durability for extended shift use?
The GBT4500-BK-BTK1DRA is lighter at 222 g (0.49 lb) versus the GBT4600-HC-BTK1-HP at 240 g (0.53 lb), an 18 g difference. The 4500 is also marginally more compact: 64 × 160 × 89 mm versus 66 × 165 × 94 mm for the 4600.
Both carry an IP52 ingress-protection rating. The 4600 specifies a 0.5 m drop rating to concrete; a drop rating for the 4500 is not stated in the provided specifications. For high-volume scanning shifts where hand fatigue is a concern, the 4500's lighter weight and slightly smaller footprint may be advantageous. However, buyers requiring a documented drop tolerance spec will find that data only on the 4600.
Which scanner reads a wider range of barcode symbologies relevant to retail, healthcare, and logistics?
The GBT4600-HC-BTK1-HP lists QR Code, Data Matrix, PDF417, Code 128, Code 39, UPC, EAN, GS1 Digital Link, and Digital Watermarking. The GBT4500-BK-BTK1DRA lists QR Code, Data Matrix, PDF417, Code 39, UPC, and EAN. The 4500's spec does not include Code 128, GS1 Digital Link, or Digital Watermarking.
Code 128 is ubiquitous in healthcare (GS1-128 medication labeling), logistics (shipping labels), and retail distribution. GS1 Digital Link and Digital Watermarking are emerging omnichannel and supply-chain standards. For organizations operating in healthcare or logistics where Code 128 / GS1-128 compliance is required, the absence of Code 128 from the 4500's listed symbologies is a material gap that must be verified against Datalogic's full datasheet before deployment.
Which should you choose: the GBT4600-HC-BTK1-HP or the GBT4500-BK-BTK1DRA?
Our take: The GBT4600-HC-BTK1-HP is the stronger choice when Bluetooth 5.2 compatibility, Code 128/GS1 symbology support, or a documented drop tolerance are required by the deployment. Concretely: the 4600 uses Bluetooth 5.2 Classic and LE versus the 4500's Bluetooth 4.0, adding HOGP keyboard emulation and BLE host pairing capability; the 4600 lists Code 128 and GS1 Digital Link while those symbologies are absent from the 4500's provided spec; and the 4600 carries a stated 0.5 m drop rating that is not documented for the 4500. The GBT4500-BK-BTK1DRA holds an 18 g weight advantage and a slightly smaller footprint, making it a reasonable fit for cost-sensitive retail deployments where BLE connectivity and Code 128 scanning are not requirements and lighter weight matters for operator comfort.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Spec-for-spec, from manufacturer data.
| Specification | Datalogic GBT4600-HC-BTK1-HP | Datalogic GBT4500-BK-BTK1DRA |
|---|---|---|
| Series | Gryphon I 4600 | Gryphon I 4500 |
| SKU | GBT4600-HC-BTK1-HP | GBT4500-BK-BTK1DRA |
| Scan Engine | 2D Area Imager | 2D Area Imager |
| Scan Pattern | Omnidirectional | Omnidirectional |
| Bluetooth Version | Bluetooth 5.2 Classic & LE | Bluetooth 4.0 |
| HOGP Keyboard Emulation | Yes | — |
| Inductive Charging | — | Yes (base station) |
| Wired Interfaces | USB; RS-232; Keyboard Wedge | USB; RS-232; Keyboard Wedge |
| Weight | 240 g (0.53 lb) | 222 g (0.49 lb) |
| Dimensions (mm) | 66 × 165 × 94 | 64 × 160 × 89 |
| IP Rating | IP52 | IP52 |
| Drop Rating | 0.5 m to concrete | — |
| Battery Capacity | 3,250 mAh Lithium-Ion | 3,250 mAh |
| Symbologies — 1D | Code 128; Code 39; UPC; EAN; GS1-128 | Code 39; UPC; EAN |
| Symbologies — 2D | QR Code; Data Matrix; PDF417 | QR Code; Data Matrix; PDF417 |
| GS1 Digital Link / Digital Watermarking | Yes | — |
| Warranty | 5-Year Limited | 5-Year Limited |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should you choose: the GBT4600-HC-BTK1-HP or the GBT4500-BK-BTK1DRA?
The GBT4600-HC-BTK1-HP is the stronger choice when Bluetooth 5.2 compatibility, Code 128/GS1 symbology support, or a documented drop tolerance are required by the deployment. Concretely: the 4600 uses Bluetooth 5.2 Classic and LE versus the 4500's Bluetooth 4.0, adding HOGP keyboard emulation and BLE host pairing capability; the 4600 lists Code 128 and GS1 Digital Link while those symbologies are absent from the 4500's provided spec; and the 4600 carries a stated 0.5 m drop rating that is not documented for the 4500. The GBT4500-BK-BTK1DRA holds an 18 g weight advantage and a slightly smaller footprint, making it a reasonable fit for cost-sensitive retail deployments where BLE connectivity and Code 128 scanning are not requirements and lighter weight matters for operator comfort.
Is the GBT4600-HC-BTK1-HP or GBT4500-BK-BTK1DRA better for healthcare barcode scanning?
Based on the provided specifications, the GBT4600-HC-BTK1-HP is the more defensible choice for healthcare. It explicitly lists Code 128 (the basis of GS1-128 used in medication and patient wristband labeling) and GS1 Digital Link among its symbologies. Code 128 does not appear in the GBT4500-BK-BTK1DRA's provided specification. Buyers should verify against Datalogic's full published datasheet, but based solely on the specs supplied here the 4600 has the documented symbology coverage healthcare workflows typically require.
Does either scanner support Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for modern tablet or mobile device pairing?
Yes, but only the GBT4600-HC-BTK1-HP. Its spec lists Bluetooth 5.2 Classic and Low Energy (LE) with HOGP keyboard emulation, which supports BLE HID pairing to tablets, Chromebooks, and modern POS terminals. The GBT4500-BK-BTK1DRA specifies Bluetooth 4.0 and base station connectivity; BLE Low Energy pairing and HOGP are not listed in its provided specifications.
Which scanner is lighter and more compact for high-volume extended-shift scanning?
The GBT4500-BK-BTK1DRA is lighter at 222 g (vs. 240 g) and slightly smaller at 64 × 160 × 89 mm (vs. 66 × 165 × 94 mm for the 4600). The 18 g and few-millimeter differences are modest but may matter cumulatively in high-volume scan environments. Note that the 4500 also lists inductive charging support via its base station, which can reduce cable handling during shifts. Both units share IP52 ingress protection.
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