Test: Bar Code Scanners
1. Background
Whilst it is easy to use barcode scanners with ODK, not all codes get easily scanned or can be scanned by all apps. Issue lies with PDF417 scans, most apps only have a beta version of this scanning algorithm included. PDF417 scans are predominantly generated and printed on ID cards and hence play an important role for assistance tracking and registration.
Issue: to find a free barcode scanner for Androids which can read pdf417.
2. Test Setting
Free barcode scanners for Androids were tested, all of them claimed that they have pdf417 support, and they all had minimum 3 stars in the user rating.
Tested were 8 different scanners:
| 1. Easier Wiki Scan, (explains the code) |  |
| 2. More condensed Wiki Scan |  |
| 3. Highly condensed code of a scanned ID card 2 |  |
Phones used:
- Samsung Galaxy GT I9000 (Android 2.1)
- Samsung Ericsson Xperia Pro (Android 2.3)
3. Matrix
| Bar Code Scanner | Wiki 1 | Wiki 2 | ID Code | |
 |
XZing Bar Code Scanner | Fails | Fails | Fails |
 |
QR Barcode scanner | Yes | Yes (for Android 2.1 a lot of patience is needed) | Partially (for Android 2.1 a LOOOT of patience is needed and code not correctly read, Android 2.3 breaks down most of the times) |
 |
AyCodeScanGen | Fails | Fails | Fails |
 |
ScanME BarCodescanner | Fails | Fails | Fails |
 |
BarClone Free | Fails | Fails | Fails |
 |
Accusoft Bar Code scanner (only compatible with Android 2.3) | Yes | Fails | Fails |
 |
Barcode scanner Manatee Works | Yes | Yes (not on 2.1) | Yes (not on 2.1) |
 |
Inigma BarCode Scanner | Fails | Fails | Fails |
4. Results
The only scanner that managed to read the code correctly was Barcode scanner Manatee Works. However, it ONLY works with Android 2.3
There is an app which claims to be specifically designed for ID scan reading, however, it is paid and not available on the European market, e.g. with a European Google Play Account.
http://www.appszoom.com/android_applications/productivity/idcheck-id-scanner_cuibx_download.html. It might become available for Non US Citizens at a stage.
Note: Google Play has a refund policy of 15 min after download, so if an app is not compatible with a phone, refund can be gotten.
5. Recommendations
Whilst a scanner which can read pdf417 barcodes correctly had been identified, implementing the same seamlessly in ODK Collect would require the tweaking of some code. This has been described in a post on ODK Developer.
It is recommended:
- A quick fix or workaround to test or set up a pilot could consist in copying the barcode out of the scanner app and pasting it into ODK. For the real ID used in the testing, this would require a second step of pasting the code in Notepad before and only copying out the ID number digits at the front because the code contains column breaks which ODK can’t process3. With the prefabricated ID contained in this manual, a direct copy and paste into ODK is feasible.
- If applications with pdf417 scans are envisaged, to invest in tweaking ODK Collect to make it workable with the Manatee Bar Code Scanner. However, the Information Manager needs to ensure that enough Android 2.3 phones are available.
- To keep an eye and check the evolvement of the XZING bar code scanner which is the default supported Third-party application for ODK Collect. Eventually the paid version (@ 3.50 EUR) might support full pdf417.
1: The Paid version Scanner Plus was also tested, but did not perform differently for pdf417.
2: For data confidentiality, the ID in this manual does not correspond to a real person. The real ID used was more complex, however, the apps performed similarly with the fabricated ID which also contains more than 255 characters.
3: It would also require increasing the number of characters a string field can hold, though this can be achieved very easily.
Good artcile.
Hello, Sandra. Thank you for your post firstly. I want to find a reader to scan pdf 417 on driving license. Your article give me many information about the scanner. Thank you very much.
i have recently found and start to using this app..qr code reader..it is awesome..read all qr,barcode and many functions then other..very clean and fast app
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.GlobalApps.qrreader