Low power pen shaped and wearable scan systems with ergonomic actuation

An apparatus for scanning a target comprising:

• a light beam scan system disposed in a first housing, said light beam scan system including an internal light source, an internal scan element, and an actuation switch, said internal scan element receiving and redirecting light from said internal light source to produce a scanning light beam for scanning said target;
• a remote terminal disposed in a second housing, said second housing being separate from said first housing, said remote terminal having a photoelectric light detector for receiving light from said scanning light beam reflected by said target toward said light detector and converting said reflecting light into electric signals;
• and
• wherein said internal light source produces a light beam traveling in an input beam direction, said scanning light beam from said internal scan element travels in an output beam direction which is generally in the same direction as said input beam direction, and wherein said scanning light beam scans about a scanner axis positioned at a central equilibrium of said output beam wherein said scanner axis is generally parallel to said input beam direction.