The name is a bit of a misnomer. This is not a verifier per se, it is a portable display for an Axicon 1D verifier. But it is a brilliant option. Its functionality will impress, and you will love the price.

The Axicon “classic” range verifiers, blue color, are USB tethered devices. They have no on-board batteries, which solves the chronic problem of batteries leaking or exploding and destroying an expensive verifier. The USB cable provides power and communications to the host PC. Clever.

Better than the PV1000

For portable operation, the optional PV 1000 has been a long-standing solution. It is a handheld computer from an era before handheld computers, so it is expensive. It is also limited. Although it can display an entire verification report, you do a lot of scanning on its two-line LCD display. Awkward.

Then, along came Google and their Android O/S; it has virtually taken over the world of mobile computing. Even Microsoft has departed from mobile computing. Amazing. Today we all walk around with powerful, hand-held computers in our hands, or pockets or purses. Why not use the considerable computing power of a smartphone to host a barcode verifier? That is exactly what Axicon has done, and it is a marvel or capability and convenience.

Unlike the venerable PV1000, the Android verifier is a full screen, color-coded report. It closely resembles the report on a PC display. Everything you need to know about the barcode is there; you can diagnose a problem with one glance. Like the PC-based software, the Android verifier can be set to do multiple scan averaging. You can save or email scans, and you can transfer them seamlessly to a PC. You can print directly from your smartphone to your WIFI-network printer. Convenient.

Makes all Axicon 1D verifiers portable

The S-range verifiers, the green high-speed cousins of the classic range, were incompatible with the PV1000. They work perfectly with the Android verifier. It cannot support the continuous scanning functionality, but for spot-checking it is a winner.

There is one limitation. The Android verifier is only for 1D verifiers. A smartphone is a powerful little computer but not powerful enough for the Axicon 15XXX range of camera-based verifiers. They require more processing capability and more battery capacity—but they work very well with a Microsoft Surface tablet.

The amazing price (drum-roll….)

Here is the big reveal. The price. Axicon’s Android verifier software is….wait for it.…free. Yes free. I use my smartphone but if you want a larger platform, Android tablets are readily available for around $100. You will also need a convertor plug or cable to connect the male USB A from the verifier to the mini-USB or USB C on your Android device. Your total outlay will not exceed $110. Impressive compared to the $1000+ price of a PV1000.

If you are planning to attend Pack Expo in Las Vegas, come over to N-114 and see the Android verifier at the Axicon exhibit.

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3db Barcode Testimonial

Our company (an advanced software company) recently worked with Barcode Test to source a barcode verifier.  Not long ago, we were awarded a contract requiring products to be marked with IUIDs in accordance with MIL-STD-130.  For that standard, marking labels must pass a verification test that evaluates many variables (contrast, size, clarity, syntax, modularity, and more).  After a thorough search, we reduced our options to a select few.

In our search for a verifier, the Axicon line caught our attention.  Barcode Test is our regional reseller for this product.   From the beginning, they were very prompt with their responses.  We ended up having a quick call with John Nachtrieb to go over our needs.  John was extremely easy to work with and provided a lot of great information.  He was very knowledgeable on the matter and was quick to offer up a demo unit (free of charge).

Upon receiving the demo verifier and testing it, a few questions arose.  John joined a call with us and answered all our questions.  Ultimately, the Axicon verifier wasn’t the best fit for us, so we shipped the demo back.  John was completely understanding.  A few weeks later, Barcode Test reached back out with another possible verifier for us to try.  While they didn’t sell that brand, they just wanted to help us find the best option that met our needs. They even offered to send us the unit that they have in-house to see if it worked to our liking. 

Barcode Test is truly a great company to work with.  Their service and willingness to help the customer are far beyond what you typically get from other companies.  They are experts in barcode quality assurance and seem willing to help in any way they can (even if that means not getting a sale and recommending another option that better fits the customer’s needs).  If anyone is in the market for barcode verification/scanning services or products, I would highly recommend giving Barcode Test a call.

Regards,

Production Manager