The 3215 HD and LR have mostly been replaced by the linear imager. Linear Imager scanners are very similar to CCD scanners except that they have a much longer read range and the scanning illumination is a narrow, focused line that makes aiming easier. They are very reliable with a five year warranty from Welch Allyn. The enhanced decoding algorithms enable successful reads from poor quality barcodes. The linear imager offers similar read range to a low end laser scanner with greater reliability and in many cases at lower cost.
Laser scanners are perhaps still the easiest to use and most popular of all scanners.
They are also trigger operated like the CCDs. They have a self- scanning laser beam that allows scanning from close up through to the maximum range. Aggressive, fast decoding of a range of barcode densities over a long distances. Can read very long barcodes. A bright red scanning stripe makes aiming easy, even at long distances.