In a high-bay warehouse the pallet label you need to read is often four, eight or twelve metres above the aisle floor. With a standard-range terminal that means climbing, using a lift, or pulling the pallet down — every single time. A long-range imager reads that label from where the picker is standing. This page collects the mobile computers we stock with advanced- and extended-range scan engines.
Which scan engine do you need?
| Engine |
Reading distance |
Best for |
|
SE4770 standard (not on this page) |
Near contact to roughly 70 cm |
Picking and receiving at arm's length — the right choice if you never scan above head height |
| SE5500 advanced range |
Near contact to around 12 m |
Mixed work: close-up shelf labels and rack labels several metres up, with one device |
| SE5800 extended range |
The longest reach in the range |
High-bay racking, yard and dock work — top-shelf pallet labels from the aisle floor |
The important detail: both SE5500 and SE5800 still read from near contact. You are not trading close-range performance for distance — one device covers both, which is why long-range engines are worth specifying even when only part of the work is overhead.
Choosing a form factor
| Form factor |
Models |
Typical use |
| Pistol grip |
Zebra MC9400 / MC9450, MC3400 / MC3450, CipherLab RK96, M3 Mobile UL20 / UL30 |
All-day scanning — the trigger takes the strain out of thousands of scans per shift |
| Smartphone form |
Zebra TC22, TC27, TC53 / TC53e, TC58 / TC58e, TC73 / TC78, CipherLab RS36 / RS38, M3 Mobile SM / US series |
Mixed roles — staff who scan, look things up and communicate on the same device |
| Keypad |
CipherLab RK26 |
Data entry alongside scanning, usable with gloves |
| Tablet |
Zebra ET60 / ET65 |
Vehicle mount and larger-screen work with scanning built in |
Practical notes
Label quality matters more at distance. A long-range engine reads a clean, correctly sized rack label from metres away, but a damaged or low-contrast label will fail at range long before it fails up close. If your rack labels are worn, replacing them is often the cheaper half of the fix.
Consider 5G/WWAN separately. Several models here come in both Wi-Fi and WWAN versions — the scan engine and the radio are independent choices.
All terminals below are CE certified and covered by manufacturer warranty. Extended service contracts are available for most models.
Need a hands-free option? See the Zebra RS6100 ring scanner → (also SE5500). Prefer a handheld scanner paired to an existing system? See the Zebra DS3678-ER → or DS3608-XR →
