The minimum hardware you'll require to use this module is a general-purpose printer (such as an HP Deskjet) and a barcode scanner.

Optionally, you may want a dedicated barcode printer for registration and shooter ID labels.

 

Several types of scanners are available.  They differ in how they connect to a computer and the technology they use for scanning barcodes.

Scanner interfaces are generally either keyboard wedge, USB, or serial.  ForScore only supports the keyboard wedge or USB type of scanner.

A keyboard wedge scanner "wedges" itself between the keyboard and the computer.  Anything read by the scanner is processed by the computer exactly as if you had typed that information on your keyboard.  The physical connection used may be either a "Y" cable connecting the scanner and keyboard to your computer, or the scanner can have its own USB connector.

 

Scanners use either CCD or laser technology.  CCD scanners tend to be the cheapest (I paid $99 for mine), but are less tolerant of the distance and angle between the scanner and the barcode.  I've bought used laser scanners on eBay for as little as $76 plus tax and shipping.

 

Barcodes are printed with different encoding schemes.  ForScore can be configured to print either Code 39 or Code 128 barcodes, which most scanners should read.