Newland HR23 Dorada setup: corded and Bluetooth scanner

The HR23 Dorada is Newland's entry-level 2D handheld scanner. It reads 1D and 2D bar codes from labels and from phone screens and types the result into any program. This guide covers the corded version with its stand and the Bluetooth version with its charging cradle, up to your first scan.

Before you start

Both versions work as a keyboard out of the box, so they need no driver. Whatever the scanner reads is typed where the cursor is. Two settings matter for most of our customers and are covered in our HR23 programming guide: the keyboard country, because the scanner assumes a U.S. keyboard, and the key sent after each scan, such as Enter.

All settings are changed with programming bar codes from the user guide. The pattern is always the same: scan Enter Setup, scan the setting, then scan Exit Setup.

Connect the corded scanner

1. Plug the RJ45 connector of the cable into the data port on the scanner.
2. Plug the USB connector into a USB port on the PC or POS terminal.
3. The scanner switches on by itself and beeps. It works as a keyboard, so no driver is needed.

The corded HR23 has no power switch. It is on while it is connected, and you switch it off by unplugging the cable. To restart it, unplug it and plug it back in.

The same data port also handles RS-232. Newland sells an RS-232 cable with a power adapter for serial POS systems. By default the scanner detects which kind of port it is plugged into.

Set up the stand

The Smart Adjustable Stand holds the corded scanner for hands-free use on the counter. Set its angle so that items or phones can be held comfortably in front of the scan window.

The scanner knows when it sits in the stand. With Smart Stand Mode, which is on by default, it switches to Sense Mode in the stand: it reads automatically when a bar code appears in front of it. When you lift it out, it returns to its previous mode, by default trigger reading (Level Mode). You can switch this behaviour off in chapter 3 of the user guide, section "Smart Stand Mode".

Charge the Bluetooth scanner

1. Connect the cradle's USB cable to a USB port on the PC. Newland's user guide also shows a power adapter in the cradle's power jack. If an adapter came with your cradle, plug it in as well.
2. Place the scanner in the cradle. The logo LED on the scanner lights red while it charges and white when the battery is full.
3. Charge the battery fully before first use, as Newland recommends. A full charge takes up to 6 hours.

To switch the scanner on, hold the trigger until it beeps. In the default Level Mode it switches itself off after 5 minutes without use; hold the trigger again to wake it. Charge at normal room temperature: Newland's battery care guide recommends 0 to 30 °C. The battery is replaceable, and Newland offers a spare battery and a 4-slot battery charger for shift work.

Pair the Bluetooth scanner with its cradle

The scanner and cradle in one box are paired at the factory. When the scanner is connected, the LED bar on the scanner lights white. A flashing white LED bar means the Bluetooth connection is lost.

Pair again if the LED bar keeps flashing white, or when you use the scanner with a different cradle. Newland asks you to pair before you scan any programming bar codes.

1. Make sure the cradle is connected to the PC and the scanner is switched on. For a different cradle, first switch the scanner off or scan Enter Setup and Clear Pairing Information of Scanner (chapter 4, p. 61).
2. Place the scanner in the cradle for a moment, as Newland's pairing steps describe.
3. Scan the pairing bar code on the bottom of the cradle.
4. The scanner beeps when pairing succeeds, and the LED bar lights white.

Through the cradle, the scanner types like a USB keyboard. Newland calls this default mode Bluetooth Dongle KBW. Newland quotes a range of at least 100 m, measured in open space.

Or connect the Bluetooth scanner directly

Without the cradle, the HR23 can connect to a tablet, phone or PC as a Bluetooth keyboard. Newland calls this Bluetooth HID.

1. If the scanner was used with another device before, scan Enter Setup, then Clear Pairing Information of Scanner (chapter 4), and remove the scanner from that device's Bluetooth list.
2. Scan Enter Setup, then Bluetooth HID in chapter 4, section "Bluetooth HID", then Exit Setup.
3. On the tablet, phone or PC, open the Bluetooth settings, search for new devices and select the scanner.
4. When the LED bar lights white, open a text field and scan a test code.

On an iPhone or iPad, press the trigger twice to show or hide the on-screen keyboard. To go back to the cradle, scan Enter Setup, Bluetooth Dongle KBW and Exit Setup, then pair with the cradle as described in the previous step.

Make your first scan

1. Open Notepad or an empty field in your program and click into it.
2. Press and hold the trigger. The scanner projects a red aiming beam.
3. Aim the beam across the centre of the bar code. The scanner beeps and flashes green when it has read the code.
4. Release the trigger. The data appears as typed text.

If it does not read, change the distance. Newland quotes reading a standard EAN-13 retail bar code from 50 to 280 mm and small, dense codes from about 40 to 120 mm. The code may be tilted up to 60°.

Check two things in the test result:

• Wrong letters or symbols: with an Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Finnish, Polish or Czech keyboard layout on the PC, set the keyboard country as shown in our programming guide.
• No new line after the scan: if your program expects Enter or Tab after each code, add it as described in the same guide.

Codes on phone screens

The HR23 reads QR codes and other codes from phone screens. Turn the screen brightness up. If screen codes read slowly, Newland offers a screen setting in chapter 3, section "Scanning Preference": Mobile Mode in the corded user guide and Screen Mode in the Bluetooth user guide.

Configure with EasySet (optional)

Newland names EasySet as the configuration tool for the HR23. This Windows software shows the scanner's settings, changes them, updates firmware and saves a configuration for further scanners. It connects over RS-232, USB CDC or HID POS, not in the default keyboard mode, and the Bluetooth scanner must sit in its paired cradle. For one or two settings, the programming bar codes in the user guide are quicker.

Care and cleaning

Keep the scan window clean and free of scratches. Wipe it with a soft, dry cloth and do not spray liquid on it. Newland rates the HR23 IP52 and specifies drops from 1.5 m, or 1.2 m for the Bluetooth version with its cradle.

Video: Newland

If something does not work, see our HR23 troubleshooting guide. All guides for this scanner are on our HR23 Dorada page.