In the automatic data capture arena, it seems handheld bar code imagers could soon be edging out laser scanners.

While the sales of handheld laser bar code scanners are forecast to grow at a 6.5% compound annual growth rate through the end of 2008, sales of handheld imagers will advance at even faster rates, according to a report by Venture Development Corp. ( www.vdc-corp.com).

The study shows that over the next four years, the use of linear imagers could grow annually by 11% and two-dimensional (2-D) imagers by as much as 20.8% each year. With those numbers, the total shipments of both imaging solutions between now and 2008 could expand by more than $140 million to reach approximately $370 million. Meanwhile, the market for handheld laser scanners is expected to grow about $130 million to nearly $575 million in 2008.

Reasons for the increase in imagers include rising popularity of 2-D symbologies as users recognize the technology's improved functionality—these imagers also capture images of signatures as well as objects. (See related story - Bar code scanners change with the times .)