Star Micronics 37950960 vs Star Micronics 37950920: Specification Comparison
Both the Star Micronics 37950960 (BSH-32U) and 37950920 are wired, handheld 1D/2D barcode scanners from the same manufacturer, sharing the same scan engine class, symbology sets, interface options, IP42 ingress rating, and two-year warranty. A buyer equipping a retail checkout lane or warehouse receiving station would reasonably cross-shop these two units. The comparison below examines the three dimensions that most influence a purchasing decision for corded 2D handheld scanners: symbology and scan capability, physical form and color options, and connectivity and host integration.
In This Guide
- Do the 37950960 and 37950920 support the same symbologies and scan engine depth?
- How do the 37950960 and 37950920 differ in physical dimensions and available color choices?
- Which interfaces do the 37950960 and 37950920 support, and how do they differ for legacy or modern host systems?
- Which should you choose: the 37950960 or the 37950920?
- Side-by-Side Specs
- FAQ
Do the 37950960 and 37950920 support the same symbologies and scan engine depth?
Both units share an identical published symbology list — QR Code, Data Matrix, PDF417, Code 128, Code 39, UPC, and EAN — covering the full spectrum of 1D linear and 2D matrix codes used in retail and logistics. Both are spec'd as 1D/2D capable scan engines, so neither is limited to linear-only reads.
The 37950920 spec sheet explicitly labels its engine as a '2D Image Sensor (1D/2D barcode capability),' confirming area-imaging architecture. The 37950960 spec does not use that label, though its scan engine field also reads '1D/2D.' The 37950960 additionally cites a resolution floor of ≥3 mil, enabling reads of dense label patterns; the 37950920 provides no resolution figure in the supplied specs.
On scan capability alone, the two units appear functionally equivalent based on available data. The 37950960's published ≥3 mil resolution spec is an advantage that cannot be confirmed or denied for the 37950920 due to absent data.
How do the 37950960 and 37950920 differ in physical dimensions and available color choices?
The 37950920 is the only model with published physical dimensions in the provided specs: 5.75 in wide × 4.06 in tall × 2.72 in deep. No weight or dimensional data is listed for the 37950960, making a direct size comparison impossible from these specs alone.
On color, the 37950920 lists 'Black or White,' giving buyers or integrators a two-finish option — useful in branded retail environments where device aesthetics matter. The 37950960 is listed only in Black. Both units share a handheld form factor.
The IP42 ingress protection rating — dust-protected on the first digit, protected against solid objects greater than 1 mm; drip-proof vertically on the second digit — is identical for both models, suggesting equivalent environmental suitability for typical indoor retail and warehouse use.
Which interfaces do the 37950960 and 37950920 support, and how do they differ for legacy or modern host systems?
Both models list USB and RS-232 as supported interfaces. The RS-232 option is significant for environments running legacy point-of-sale terminals or industrial controllers that lack USB host ports; neither model has an advantage over the other here based on the published specs.
The 37950920 spec notes additionally that its USB interface operates in HID Keyboard Emulation mode, meaning the host sees the scanner as a USB keyboard and no driver installation is required — a practical deployment advantage in locked-down or kiosk environments. The 37950960 specs do not specify the USB subclass (HID or CDC), so whether it also supports keyboard emulation cannot be confirmed from the provided data.
The 37950920 also lists 'USB Wired' explicitly under a Connectivity field and reaffirms 'Wired USB' in its supplemental tagline fields, while the 37950960's connectivity is described solely through its Interface field. No wireless, Bluetooth, or serial-over-USB modes are mentioned for either unit.
Which should you choose: the 37950960 or the 37950920?
Our take: The 37950920 is the stronger documented choice for buyers who need verified plug-and-play USB deployment, a choice of housing color, and access to published dimensional data for mounting or enclosure planning. Its explicit USB HID Keyboard Emulation spec removes any driver uncertainty, its Black-or-White color option suits branded retail installs, and its 5.75 × 4.06 × 2.72 in footprint is on record for space planning. The 37950960 has one published advantage the 37950920 lacks: a stated ≥3 mil scan resolution, which matters in applications reading dense or small-pitch barcodes on labels. Where both units are equivalent — symbology breadth (7 symbologies, same list), IP42 rating, USB + RS-232 interface, and 2-year warranty — neither earns a spec-driven edge. Buyers prioritizing dense-label read performance should favor the 37950960; buyers prioritizing driver-free USB integration and color flexibility should favor the 37950920.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Spec-for-spec, from manufacturer data.
| Specification | Star Micronics 37950960 | Star Micronics 37950920 |
|---|---|---|
| Product Type | Label Printer (scanner device) | Label Printer (scanner device) |
| Form Factor | Handheld | Handheld |
| Scan Engine | 1D/2D | 2D Image Sensor (1D/2D capability) |
| Scan Resolution | ≥3 mil | — |
| Symbologies — 2D | QR Code; Data Matrix; PDF417 | QR Code; Data Matrix; PDF417 |
| Symbologies — 1D | Code 128; Code 39; UPC; EAN | Code 128; Code 39; UPC; EAN |
| Interface | USB; RS-232 | USB; RS-232 |
| USB Mode | — | HID Keyboard Emulation |
| IP Rating | IP42 | IP42 |
| Color Options | Black | Black or White |
| Width (in) | — | 5.75 |
| Height (in) | — | 4.06 |
| Depth (in) | — | 2.72 |
| Media Type | Labels; Linerless | Not applicable — scanner device |
| Warranty | 2 Year | 2 Year |
| Datasheet | /content/product-datasheets/37950960.pdf | /content/product-datasheets/37950920.pdf |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should you choose: the 37950960 or the 37950920?
The 37950920 is the stronger documented choice for buyers who need verified plug-and-play USB deployment, a choice of housing color, and access to published dimensional data for mounting or enclosure planning. Its explicit USB HID Keyboard Emulation spec removes any driver uncertainty, its Black-or-White color option suits branded retail installs, and its 5.75 × 4.06 × 2.72 in footprint is on record for space planning. The 37950960 has one published advantage the 37950920 lacks: a stated ≥3 mil scan resolution, which matters in applications reading dense or small-pitch barcodes on labels. Where both units are equivalent — symbology breadth (7 symbologies, same list), IP42 rating, USB + RS-232 interface, and 2-year warranty — neither earns a spec-driven edge. Buyers prioritizing dense-label read performance should favor the 37950960; buyers prioritizing driver-free USB integration and color flexibility should favor the 37950920.
Is the 37950960 or 37950920 better for reading very small or densely packed barcodes?
Based on the provided specs, the 37950960 is the better-documented choice here. It states a scan resolution of ≥3 mil, which is sufficient for dense label patterns. The 37950920 does not include a resolution figure in its published specs, so a direct numeric comparison cannot be made.
Can either scanner be used without installing a driver on a Windows POS terminal?
The 37950920 explicitly specifies USB HID Keyboard Emulation mode, which means the host OS treats it as a standard keyboard — no driver required. The 37950960's USB subclass is not stated in the provided specs, so driver requirements for that model cannot be confirmed or denied from available data.
Which model is available in a white housing to match a retail counter aesthetic?
Only the 37950920 lists 'Black or White' as a color option in the provided specs. The 37950960 is listed in Black only.
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