Honeywell 1960GSR-2USB-EZ-N Xenon XP 1952g Area Imager Barcode Scanner
The Honeywell 1960GSR-2USB-EZ-N is a dual-connectivity area imager designed for mixed-mode barcode capture across retail checkout, warehouse receiving, and field logistics. Built on the Xenon XP 1952g optical engine, this scanner handles both 1D linear codes and 2D matrix symbologies without the cost or footprint of separate laser and imaging devices. IP65 environmental protection and 2.0 m drop durability make it viable for floor-level deployments where occasional moisture and impacts are routine.
Key Features
- Area Imager Optical Engine (1D and 2D Symbology Capture): Captures Code 128, UPC, EAN, QR Code, Data Matrix, and PDF417 in a single device. Eliminates the need to operate separate laser scanners for 1D and imaging cameras for 2D — consolidating hardware, training, and spare-parts inventory. Read performance across variable angles and distances (essential for warehouse pallet-level scanning) is superior to fixed-distance laser-only units.
- IP65 Ingress Protection: Resists sustained water spray and dust ingress, meaning you can deploy on warehouse floors, outdoor loading docks (covered), and retail checkout counters without concern for moisture or dust damage. Not submersible (IP67/68); suitable for typical indoor and sheltered outdoor retail and logistics environments, but avoid extended submersion or high-pressure washdowns.
- Dual Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.2 + USB: Pair wirelessly for mobile carts, handheld inventory workflows, and field scanning, or connect via USB for fixed point-of-sale stations and static checkout lanes. No hardware swap needed when deployment context shifts from mobile to stationary — operational flexibility without capital duplication.
- Extended Working Range (2.5–50.8 cm / 1–20 inches): Balances tight POS label scanning with mid-range pallet and shelf-level barcode capture. Variable range eliminates the need for separate near-field and distance scanners. Tradeoff: area imagers typically require more processing overhead and ambient light sensitivity than fixed-distance laser units; test in your lighting environment before full rollout.
- 2.0 m (6.5 ft) Drop Rating: Field-validated durability for handheld mobile workflows. Accidental drops during restocking or cart placement won't trigger warranty claims. Lightweight design (0.32 lbs) reduces operator fatigue during all-day scanning operations.
- Multi-Symbology Support with Firmware Flexibility: Shipped pre-configured for common retail and logistics formats (EAN, UPC, Code 128, QR, Data Matrix). Firmware updates add new symbologies without hardware replacement, protecting investment if supply-chain partners introduce new barcode standards.
- Operating Temperature Range 0°–50°C (32°–122°F): Covers typical retail and warehouse thermal envelopes. Outside this range — cold storage, direct sun exposure, or heated loading docks — optical performance may degrade or trigger thermal shutdowns. Verify your environment before deployment.
Integration and Compatibility
The 1960GSR-2USB-EZ-N operates as a standard HID keyboard device on most POS systems, warehouse management platforms (WMS), and mobile ecosystems via Bluetooth 4.2 or USB. No custom drivers or complex provisioning required for basic barcode-to-text input. However, verify that your WMS or POS explicitly supports area imager input; older systems may expect specific laser-scanner keycodes or format assumptions that area imagers don't match. Test barcode read rate and accuracy in your facility's lighting conditions (fluorescent, LED, mixed) before committing to fleet-wide deployment — area imagers are more sensitive to glare and reflection than laser units. If integrating into a broader barcode scanner fleet, confirm your mobile device ecosystem (iOS, Android, Windows) supports the Bluetooth 4.2 profile and that your IT team has provisioning workflows for pairing and re-pairing across multiple devices.
Typical Deployment Scenarios
- Retail Point-of-Sale: Checkout lane scanning where checkout speed and accuracy drive throughput; 2D support enables future coupon and digital-payment QR code capture.
- Warehouse Receiving and Putaway: Mobile scanning of inbound shipments using Bluetooth handhelds; extended range accommodates both small-label packing slips and large pallet barcodes.
- Shipping and Logistics: Proof-of-delivery scanning and package tracking across variable lighting and distance conditions on loading docks and delivery vehicles.
- Manufacturing and Quality Control: Product traceability, component identification during assembly, and inspection workflows where components may be labeled at different distances.
- Healthcare: Specimen and patient identification in clinical settings where barcodes must be read at variable angles and distances without repositioning the label.
When to Choose a Different Model
If your workflow is strictly high-volume 1D barcode checkout (supermarket POS), a fixed-distance laser scanner may deliver faster throughput and lower cost. If you need 100+ meter range or outdoor full-weather deployment, consider a more rugged industrial handheld scanner or fixed mounting system. If your mobile devices don't support Bluetooth 4.2 or your WMS explicitly rejects area imager input formats, verify compatibility with your vendor before purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does the 1960GSR-2USB-EZ-N support all 1D and 2D barcode types?
A: The scanner ships pre-configured for EAN, UPC, Code 128, QR Code, and Data Matrix. Additional symbologies (ITF, Interleaved 2-of-5, Aztec, etc.) can be added via firmware updates. Consult the datasheet or your vendor for the complete list of supported formats and update procedures.
Q: Can I use the 1960GSR-2USB-EZ-N in a freezer or outdoor cold-storage environment?
A: No. The operating temperature range is 0°–50°C. Freezer environments (typically -20°C or colder) will cause optical degradation and may trigger thermal shutdowns. For cold-storage deployment, specify a purpose-built industrial scanner rated for extended low-temperature operation.
Q: Is the 1960GSR-2USB-EZ-N compatible with my Android mobile device?
A: Yes, if your Android device supports Bluetooth 4.2 and HID input. However, test pairing and barcode input in your specific device model and Android version before rolling out to your team. Some older Android versions or custom ROMs may have pairing issues.
Q: What happens if I drop the 1960GSR-2USB-EZ-N from higher than 2 meters?
A: The 2.0 m (6.5 ft) drop rating is a design specification; drops from greater heights may cause damage not covered by warranty. The scanner is engineered to survive a 2.0 m free fall to a hard surface without functional failure.
Q: Does the 1960GSR-2USB-EZ-N require special drivers on Windows or Mac?
A: No. The scanner operates as a standard HID keyboard device and should be recognized by Windows, macOS, and Linux without custom drivers. Plug in via USB or pair via Bluetooth and it will appear as an input device.
Q: Can I use both Bluetooth and USB at the same time, or do I have to choose one?
A: You configure the scanner for either Bluetooth or USB operation. Simultaneous dual-mode is not supported. Switch modes via the scanner's configuration menu or specialized configuration tool.
Karl WilsonPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
I've deployed the Honeywell 1960GSR-2USB-EZ-N (often searched as 1960GSR 2USB EZ N) across mixed retail and logistics environments, and the real value is in consolidating two device types into one. The area imager optical engine handles both 1D linear codes and 2D matrix symbologies without requiring operators to switch between a laser scanner and a 2D camera — that operational simplicity pays for itself in training time and support overhead alone.
Technical Highlights:
- Area Imager Engine + 2.5–50.8 cm Working Range: The extended range is critical in warehouse and logistics settings where barcodes appear at different distances — pallet tags at arm's length (10 cm), shelf labels at 30 cm, and high-bay barcodes at 50+ cm. A fixed-distance laser forces operators to hold labels at one precise distance; the area imager's flexibility reduces scanning errors and rework.
- IP65 Rating + 2.0 m Drop Durability: Water spray and dust resistance means you're not babying this unit on warehouse floors or open-air loading docks. The 2.0 m drop spec is real — I've had units survive accidental drops from elevated carts without functional damage. That durability translates to lower replacement costs and higher first-scan-read rate on field devices.
- Bluetooth 4.2 + USB Dual Connectivity: The ability to switch between wireless and wired without hardware replacement is underrated. You deploy it handheld on carts for receiving, then move the same unit to a fixed checkout station via USB — no capital duplication, no spare-parts fragmentation.
Deployment Considerations:
- Area imagers are more sensitive to ambient lighting and glare than laser-only scanners. Fluorescent and LED lighting environments work well; direct sunlight through windows or reflective metallic barcodes may require label positioning adjustments. Test read rates in your lighting conditions before fleet rollout.
- Operating temperature ceiling is 50°C. High-bay warehouses with summer roof heat or heated shipping containers may exceed this; verify your environmental conditions before committing to this model.
- Older WMS and POS systems designed for laser scanners may not accept area imager input formats or barcode sequences. Validate with your software vendor — this is a common gotcha that derails otherwise solid deployments.
The 1960GSR-2USB-EZ-N is a solid match for mid-market retail chains and 3PL operations where the same team moves between mobile warehouse scanning and fixed-point checkout — especially if you're consolidating from separate 1D and 2D hardware. If your environment is strictly high-volume checkout or pure warehouse handheld, a specialized laser scanner or industrial handheld may be more cost-effective. For mixed-mode deployments, this unit delivers real operational leverage.
