Now available: the iRFID500, a powerful new handheld Bluetooth passive RFID reader
25 October 2016
Extronics, a designer and manufacturer of hazardous area equipment for over 24 years, has developed the new iRFID500, a powerful handheld passive RFID reader. Practical and cost-effective, the iRFID500 reads UHF tags such as Extronics’ iTAG500 range to help you improve efficiency, increase productivity, and reduce costs.
The iRFID500 is designed to integrate with your existing systems to streamline business processes like tracking assets such as drill pipes or tools, monitoring maintenance tasks and planning, and demonstrating regulatory compliance.
The rise of the Industrial Internet of Things has kicked off another trend within the process industries; equipping workers with smartphones and tablets. Used alongside Bluetooth accessories like the iRFID500, these smart devices improve on the laborious manual methods or awkward PDAs of the past.
The iRFID500 is able to connect with these smart devices via Bluetooth. View tag reads in real time, and add more information such as what maintenance tasks were carried out, or which operator was working on which piece of equipment. What’s more, you can use the tablet operating system of your choosing; the iRFID500 works with Windows, Android, and Apple devices.
If you don’t need or have access to a smartphone or tablet, use the iRFID500 as a standalone device for a more cost-effective solution. A large internal memory records tag reads alongside a date and time stamp, which can be easily downloaded via the included USB connection cable to show a clear audit trail and help prove compliance.
Safety is paramount, and the iRFID500 is certified to ATEX, IECEx, and North American regulations for hazardous areas, including Zone 0/20, Class I Div 1, and mining (M1). It also holds radio approvals for ETSI and FCC frequencies, making it suitable for use worldwide. With IP64 protection and an extended temperature range, the iRFID500 can go wherever your workers go.
Easy to carry and use throughout long shifts with minimal operator fatigue, the iRFID500 enables workers to be more efficient with no need to remove gloves thanks to the large buttons and stylus nib. The operator can simply adjust the reading range to read tags in hard-to-reach areas, or identify a particular asset amongst a crowd. The battery lasts for over 12 hours whilst connected via Bluetooth and taking thousands of tag reads. There’s even a colour-changing LED to show remaining power, letting you know when to recharge and avoiding downtime.
See the benefits for yourself with a demo kit, including an iRFID500 unit, a USB cable to both charge the iRFID500 and download tag reads, a wrist strap, and a selection of passive RFID tags. You also gain access to a demo app to try it out, and software development kits (SDKs) for either Windows or Android to help you build personalised integrations with your systems.
Get your hands on the iRFID500; contact info@extronics.com or call +44 845 277 5000.
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