Throwback to 1992! Meet the Telxon scanner—one of the earliest in-home scanning devices used by ACNielsen Homescan Consumer Panel members.
Here are some interesting facts about the Telxon scanner:
Landline transmission
Panel members had to dial a toll-free number and follow voice instructions. To transmit shopping data, they placed the scanner’s speaker against the phone’s mouthpiece, pressed the YES key, and waited for a steady tone. Once it stopped, an “OK” message confirmed a successful transmission. Imagine that!
Store updates
Adding new stores wasn’t automatic. Panel members had to scan barcodes for the stores from a printed store list booklet.
No barcode?
Fresh produce and other non-barcoded items were reported by using a Category Codebook—a binder filled with laminated pages of barcodes, neatly organized by category.
Manual timekeeping
Unlike today’s smart devices, panel members had to set the scanner’s date and time manually.
Memories from Panel Members
We’ve certainly come a long way since those early days! When we posted about the Telxon scanner on Facebook and Instagram, we heard from many panel members who used it. Here are some of the comments they shared:
I did that!!! it sounded like a fax machine!!!! and you had to make sure the transmitter (the black ring) was perfectly positioned over your phone receiver! — Dorothy G.
Yup!! Been a member since 2005! Had to make sure the scanner fit over the phone receiver just right, and it sounded like a fax machine while transmitting! Real high-tech for those days! — Brenda L.
I have belonged sixty years. Back then we wrote our shopping trips and mailed our reports. The company was purchased several times, until here I am now with NCP. I did use a hand held scanner until everything went digital. Love NCP. — Midge K.
That was the first scanner I had – took awhile to use – since you had to run the scanner tip across the barcode – and if you didn’t get the speed just right – it wouldn’t always read. Also – I didn’t have a landline, so I’d go and use a payphone to transmit my data! Once a year – I would find a comfy place to sit and scan through all the stores on the list to get them all entered. — Rich W.
Ah, I remember it well. As far as I was concerned, it seemed like a very advanced piece of technology. Now doing everything by cell phone, is so great. Love it. — Susanne S.
That was the scanner my mom had at our house when I was a child, so yes I used it. Have to say it is much easier using my smart phone now! — Crystal A.
It was really hard to use. It would take multiple attempts to get it to connect up over the phone, and then lose contact while connected. Then I had to start all over again. I almost stopped being a scanner over these problems, but then they came out with the app. Much, much easier! — Russell B.
I remember using that to transmit. Sometimes there was a bad connection and the transmission wouldn’t go through, and you had to keep doing it until you got the “OK message”. — Deanna P.
I’ve been a panel member for 20 years. I had a couple versions of the old scanners. I had to transmit via a phone booth a couple blocks from home as I didn’t have a phone line at home. Later, I had a scanner that connected to the computer to upload. I used to do my uploads from the office computer at church, as my “home internet” was via connection with my cell phone which wasn’t compatible with the scanner. The current app is so much easier and more convenient. — Marcus C.
Did you ever use this scanner? Share your memories in the comments, I’d love to hear from you!
Regards,
Taylor
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I had forgotten all about those scanners! That was my very first experience as a shopper! We sure have come a long way. I had dial-up internet back then too. I am so happy to have my mobile device now. We also used to have a code to scan for when we took Vacations or would not be scanning
I actually remeber this handheld very well from many many years ago. That is how I initially came across/worked for awhile with NCP using this handheld device. I didn’t even mind using it.
Yes I do remember that big ole bulky scanner. Arrived in a huge box! Been scanning for 30+ years (hopeful to win one of those sweepstakes soon!!!) it sometimes would take 3 times to get it to scan, and we had a party line back in those days, so sometimes we would have to wait to use the phone, or if someone else picked up you would have to start over. And you had to report if you were not going to be shopping as well, like on vacation…I seem to remember there was another version before that one though…?
Great article! A blast from the past.
Oh. My. Yes! I remember this scanner and thought of it as top of the line technology back in the day. It was a lot more work than scanning with my cell phone nowadays.
I’ve been a member 30+ years and remember that scanner very well. It is easier scanning now compared to back then. I would get frustrated when it took several scans of the item. Also, you had to manually add your store list. I remember I’d just had surgery and our daughter was home from college visiting when the invitation from NCP came it the mail. I was hesitant about joining but she convinced me that I should and I’m glad that I did.
Helen, Thank you for being a longtime member and for sharing your story with us!
I’ve been a member for 20+ years & started with the older scanner that used my house phone & transmission was very different back then. We’ve come a long way since then. It is so much easier using the mobile app, since sometimes I scan my items as I shop, which saves me a separate job when I get home.
Patt, Thank you for being a longtime member, we sure have come a long way since the Telxon scanner days!
I never forgot truly nor the next one whenever barcodes decided not to cooperate which was more than half the time. Some smaller items I had to forget about scanning because I could not read the numbers and the scanner could not read them either. At least using my phone now I don’t have to wait until Monday to transmit on my transmit day. We’ve come a long way.
That’s amazing! Those who used this and or by hand I applaud your steadfast commitment! Sitting by a payphone …that’s dedication. Thank you for the fun read!