Some Market Leader Credit Card Readers

Whenever you use credit card to pay for a purchase, you will notice the cashier swiping your card through a device the reads the information on your card. Those devices are called credit card readers or magnetic stripe readers. The device reads the magnetic stripe information on the cards and can be used for driver’s license, gift cards, security cards and a lot more as long as that magnetic stripe is present.

Among the more popular brands of credit card readers is the one that carries the MagTek logo. In review is the MagTek MiniUSB Card Reader. Powered by USB bus, this card reader does not utilize any external power supply but will work with any computer or terminal that uses the now very popular and standard USB interface. It has dual and three track capability. It has no problems adapting any existing software program that uses keyboard interface and can send read data in applications like Notepad without installing additional drivers or applications. It has a card speed of 3 to 50 IPS. Such USB credit card readers measures 3.94 inches (100mm) x 1.28 inches (32,5mm) x 1.23 inches (31,3mm).

Another top contender in credit card readers technology market is the Welch Allyn brand. One of the models from Welch Allyn ScanTeam 6980 which boasts fast, easy and accurate method for reading the data on magnetic stripes of cards into a computer system. It features a dual track magnetic stripe card reader (MSR) and uses an RS-232 serial interface port. You don’t have to worry about swiping in different directions since this model incorporates a bi-directional card reader that can read cards swiped in either direction. The device uses sound beeps to indicate whether it was or wasn’t able to read the magnetic card. The ScanTeam 6980 uses an external power pack device.

Meanwhile, Logic Controls’ MR3300 Card Reader features a built-in decoder that is able to read tracks 1, 2, and 3. Logic Controls manufactured a card reader that can withstand abuse. A specially designed, heavy die cast steel make up the housing of the reader. Logic Controls added stainless steel card guides which allow the cards to move smoothly across the slot. It is also equipped with a bi-directional reading head for convenience. LED indicators tell the user if the device was able to read the card or not. Wedge and RS-232 interfaces available. The device measures 5.7 inches x 1.3 inches x 1.8 inches.

Then we have the ID Tech MiniMag Card Reader which is a compact reader for POS and desktop applications where space is a major consideration. At 90 mm long or about the size of a standard credit card, it can fit in very small spaces. However, don’t let the size fool you for the device reads up to three tracks of information with a single swipe. It incorporates a bi-directional swipe system and utilizes both beep LED indicators to tell users if the read was successful or not. The device is available in TTL, RS-232, keyboard wedge, and USB interface.