1. A portable system for electro-optically reading indicia having parts of different light reflectivity, comprising: a) a scan assembly including a light source for directing a light beam at an indicium for reflection therefrom, a light sensor having a field of view and operative for detecting light reflected from the indicium and for generating an electrical signal corresponding to the detected light, a scanner for scanning at least one of the light beam and the field of view, and an actuator for manually actuating the scanning assembly during a hand-held mode of operation; b) a housing for supporting the scanning assembly, the housing including two parts detachably mounted to each other and an elongated support having a lower end region, one of the parts containing the scanning assembly, ther other of the parts being a cradle connected to the elongated support and operative for supporting said one of the parts, the cradle having upwardly-open, concavely curved walls, and said one of the parts having convexly curved side walls that rest on the concavely curved walls of the cradle; and c) a base for supporting the housing during a hands-free mode of operation, the lower end region of the support being pivotably mounted to the base.