A multi-modally grippable housing construction of improved ergonomic efficiency is disclosed, the construction including a head and a generally elongated handle assembly having a proximal portion coupled to a rear wall of the head to define a neck grippable by thumb and index fingers of an operator, the head having an exterior configuration extending rearwardly from the front end and being sized and shaped for facilitation of the cupping and holding of the head by an operator. Gripping of the housing about the neck, according to one preferred manner of gripping the housing, or cupping of the head according to another mode of grasping the housing construction, permits the operator, in the case of a symbology reader or imager, to address with ergonomic efficiency symbologies positioned, respectively, in vertical or horizontal orientation with respect to the operator.