PURPOSE: To make it possible to read a symbol without using an optical targeting mechanism by visually observing a laser beam with increased visibility, and by positioning this laser beam on a symbol desired to be read over a range of operating distance wider than the head. CONSTITUTION: In order to increase the visibility of a laser beam radiated by a diode 33, the magnitude of a focusing lens 32 is increased to an extent around ×45-×50, an aperture diaphragm 45 is enlarged, and the laser scanner is operated without compensating astigmatic characteristics in such a state that the diode 33 has such astigmatic characteristics. The operator visually observes a laser beam with increased visibility, and positions this laser beam on a symbol desired to be read over a work distance range long extended to housings 12a and 12b. With that, the laser scanner can read a symbol without using any optical targeting mechanism.