Abstract: A scanning device for recognizing and reading bar codes is configured to have a housing that can be mounted on a scanning surface or beneath the scanning surface. The housing contains an internal scanning face unit, which includes a source of laser light, a rotatable polygonal mirror for reflecting the laser light, a plurality of fixedly disposed flat mirrors and a pick-up element for detecting radiation deflected by the bar code. This internal scanning unit can be arranged within the outer housing in four different positions, thereby creating greater flexibility with respect to the mounting of the overall housing.