Socket Mobile CX4614-3880 vs Socket Mobile CX3487-1982: Specification Comparison
Both the Socket Mobile CX4614-3880 and CX3487-1982 are Bluetooth handheld 1D barcode scanners designed for mobile field and retail environments, sharing the same operating temperature range, form factor, and connectivity type. Buyers evaluating either unit are typically choosing a cordless, compact scanner for inventory, point-of-sale, or field data-capture workflows. The key differentiators center on ruggedness and ingress protection, symbology breadth, and battery specification — three dimensions that directly affect deployment environment, system compatibility, and shift-length reliability.
In This Guide
- Which scanner offers stronger environmental and ingress protection for harsh deployments?
- Which scanner covers the broader range of barcode symbologies needed across legacy and modern systems?
- Which scanner provides documented battery capacity to support full-shift operation?
- Which should you choose: the CX4614-3880 or the CX3487-1982?
- Side-by-Side Specs
- FAQ
Which scanner offers stronger environmental and ingress protection for harsh deployments?
The CX4614-3880 carries an explicit IP67 rating, meaning it is certified dustproof and can withstand immersion in water up to 1 meter. Its spec sheet also designates it for outdoor environments, making it a documented choice for wash-down, rain exposure, or dusty industrial settings.
The CX3487-1982 lists an outdoor environment rating but does not specify an IP rating in the provided specifications. Without a published IP figure, buyers cannot verify a defined level of dust or liquid ingress protection for the S740 from the available data alone.
For deployments where a defined ingress protection standard is a procurement requirement — warehouses, loading docks, or outdoor field use — the CX4614-3880 provides a documented IP67 benchmark; the CX3487-1982 does not supply an equivalent certifiable figure in its provided specs.
Which scanner covers the broader range of barcode symbologies needed across legacy and modern systems?
The CX3487-1982 reads both 1D and 2D symbologies: Code 128, Code 39, UPC, and EAN on the 1D side, plus QR Code and Data Matrix on the 2D side. This dual-engine capability enables scanning of mobile-first barcodes, e-tickets, and 2D labels common in healthcare, retail, and logistics.
The CX4614-3880 is a 1D-only laser scanner supporting Code 128, Code 39, and UPC. EAN is not listed in the provided specifications, and no 2D symbologies are documented. Buyers working with EAN-tagged retail inventory or any 2D barcode workflow would not be served by the CX4614-3880 based on available specs.
For environments running mixed 1D/2D label stocks or mobile-app-generated QR codes, the CX3487-1982 offers materially wider symbology coverage. The CX4614-3880 is limited to three confirmed 1D formats, which is adequate for legacy linear-barcode-only operations.
Which scanner provides documented battery capacity to support full-shift operation?
The CX3487-1982 specifies a 2000 mAh battery. This is the only unit of the two with a published battery capacity figure, giving procurement and operations teams a concrete parameter for estimating shift coverage and planning charging infrastructure.
The CX4614-3880 does not include a battery capacity specification in the provided data. No mAh figure is listed, making a direct battery-life comparison between the two units impossible from the available specifications.
When battery endurance is a planning factor — particularly for multi-shift or all-day field operations — the CX3487-1982 offers a verifiable 2000 mAh figure. The CX4614-3880's battery characteristics are unspecified in the provided data and cannot be evaluated on this dimension.
Which should you choose: the CX4614-3880 or the CX3487-1982?
Our take: The CX4614-3880 is the stronger choice when a documented ingress protection rating is a hard procurement requirement, as its IP67 certification is absent from the CX3487-1982's provided specifications. However, the CX3487-1982 holds meaningful advantages in two other dimensions: it reads six confirmed symbologies including QR Code and Data Matrix versus three 1D-only formats on the CX4614-3880, and it declares a 2000 mAh battery capacity where the CX4614-3880 lists none. Both units share the same 0°–45°C operating range, Bluetooth connectivity, handheld form factor, and 1-year warranty. Choose the CX4614-3880 for ruggedized 1D-only environments requiring certified water and dust resistance; choose the CX3487-1982 for deployments requiring 2D barcode support, EAN compatibility, or a known battery specification across iOS, Android, or Windows platforms.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Spec-for-spec, from manufacturer data.
| Specification | Socket Mobile CX4614-3880 | Socket Mobile CX3487-1982 |
|---|---|---|
| Product Type | Scanner | Scanner |
| Model / Series | CX4614-3880 | CX3487-1982 SocketScan S740 |
| Form Factor | Handheld | Handheld |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth | Bluetooth |
| Bluetooth Range | 30–50 m | — |
| Scan Engine | 1D Laser | 1D |
| IP Rating | IP67 | — |
| Environment Rating | Outdoor | Outdoor |
| Symbologies 1D | Code 128; Code 39; UPC | Code 128; Code 39; UPC; EAN |
| Symbologies 2D | — | QR Code; Data Matrix |
| Battery Capacity | — | 2000 mAh |
| Operating Temperature | 0° to 45°C (32° to 113°F) | 0° to 45°C (32° to 113°F) |
| Warranty | 1-year | 1-year |
| Package Contents | Scanner (with Scanner noted) | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should you choose: the CX4614-3880 or the CX3487-1982?
The CX4614-3880 is the stronger choice when a documented ingress protection rating is a hard procurement requirement, as its IP67 certification is absent from the CX3487-1982's provided specifications. However, the CX3487-1982 holds meaningful advantages in two other dimensions: it reads six confirmed symbologies including QR Code and Data Matrix versus three 1D-only formats on the CX4614-3880, and it declares a 2000 mAh battery capacity where the CX4614-3880 lists none. Both units share the same 0°–45°C operating range, Bluetooth connectivity, handheld form factor, and 1-year warranty. Choose the CX4614-3880 for ruggedized 1D-only environments requiring certified water and dust resistance; choose the CX3487-1982 for deployments requiring 2D barcode support, EAN compatibility, or a known battery specification across iOS, Android, or Windows platforms.
Is the CX4614-3880 or CX3487-1982 better for outdoor or industrial use where water and dust exposure are a concern?
The CX4614-3880 is the better-documented choice for that scenario. It carries an IP67 rating, certifying it against dust ingress and immersion up to 1 meter. The CX3487-1982 lists an outdoor environment rating but does not specify an IP rating in the available specifications, so its level of ingress protection cannot be verified from the provided data.
Which scanner should I choose if my operation uses both traditional 1D barcodes and QR codes or Data Matrix labels?
The CX3487-1982 is the correct choice. It supports QR Code and Data Matrix in addition to Code 128, Code 39, UPC, and EAN. The CX4614-3880 is a 1D-only laser scanner with three confirmed symbologies (Code 128, Code 39, UPC) and no 2D capability listed in its specifications.
Do both scanners work with iOS and Android mobile devices?
Both units use Bluetooth connectivity, but platform compatibility detail differs. The CX3487-1982's provided spec content explicitly references pairing with iOS, Android, and Windows. The CX4614-3880's provided specifications confirm Bluetooth with a stated range of 30–50 meters but do not enumerate specific supported operating systems. Buyers with strict platform requirements should verify OS compatibility for the CX4614-3880 with Socket Mobile directly.
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