<p>The laser diode (133) of an optical scanning system (100) is located in a separate unit (130) and light therefrom carried to a remote scan head (110) via an optical fiber (150). This reduces the size and weight of the scan head (110) and reduces the temperature sensitivity of the scan head (110). The scan head (110) may include an optical sensor (117) for detecting light reflected from scanned symbols.</p>
