What these readers actually do
An NLIS tag reader picks up the number stored in an electronic ear tag and shows it on a screen. That's it. You hold the reader near the tag, the number comes up, and you either write it down or send it to your phone. It saves you squinting at a tag in a race and reading the digits off by eye, which is where mistakes creep in.
Both readers here are low frequency, 134.2 kHz, which is what Australian NLIS cattle and sheep tags use.
HDX and FDX-B, and why it matters
Electronic ear tags come in two flavours. HDX and FDX-B. They both sit under the same ISO standard, but a reader has to support the one your tags use or it simply won't pick them up.
The PT160 reads HDX tags only. If your tags are FDX-B it won't see them, so it's worth checking what you're running before you order. That's especially true if you've bought stock in carrying tags from a few different brands.
The PT290-LF reads both HDX and FDX-B. It ships with one of each as test tags, so you can prove it on the spot.
Not sure what you've got? Send us a photo of the tag and we can usually work it out pretty quickly.
Pocket reader or stick reader
The PT160 fits in a shirt pocket. You hold it within about 13 cm of the tag, so you're up close to the animal. That's fine in a crush, at a saleyard, or checking a few head off the truck.
The PT290-LF is 83 cm long and reads to about 25 cm. You can stand beside the race and scan as they walk past instead of leaning over. It weighs 631 g, so it's not heavy, but it's a two-handed job next to the pocket reader.
PT160 specifications
- Pocket-sized handheld reader, $120
- 134.2 kHz low frequency, ISO 11784 / 11785, HDX tags only
- Reads to about 13 cm
- Built-in screen with an English menu
- Shows the number on screen, no storage on the device. Sends reads out through the FOFIA Connect app or a USB upload
- Charges over USB, 4 to 5 hours for a full charge
- Rated -15 to 45 °C
- CE and RoHS certified
- In the box: the reader and a USB charging cable
- 12 month warranty
PT290-LF specifications
- Stick reader, 83 cm long, 631 g, $999
- 134.2 kHz low frequency, ISO 11784 / 11785, reads HDX and FDX-B
- Reads to about 25 cm
- 128 x 160 OLED screen with an indicator light, buzzer and vibration
- Bluetooth BLE and USB-C
- Rechargeable lithium battery, up to 12 hours continuous use
- Stores 3,000 tag reads
- Rated -20 to 50 °C
- In the box: the reader, a hard shell carry case, a USB-C cable, the manual, and an HDX and an FDX-B test tag
- 12 month warranty
Getting the numbers off the reader
The PT160 puts the number on its screen as you scan. It does not hold them on the device, so you either write it down there and then, or send it across through the FOFIA Connect app or a USB upload.
The PT290-LF does both. It holds 3,000 reads on the device, and it'll also send them to the app or upload them over USB-C. If you're working a whole mob and don't want to be watching your phone the entire time, that's the difference.
Ordering
Readers ship from Queensland and go Australia-wide. If you're ordering tags at the same time they'll come from the same place. Give us a buzz on 0431 183 421, or send through what you're running and we'll point you at the right one.
Still deciding? The NLIS tag reader buying guide covers the whole range, and the livestock tag planner works out what tags you need.
