USB Device Recommendations
This page is a crowdsourced list of devices that have / haven't worked for people at Yale. This is not a Yale official endorsement. Use these recommendations at your own risk (but we tried to make them the best we could!).
Already know you want one? Just get one of these:
-
Prox Card Reader
- (needs [configuration](RFIdeas PCProx Configuration))
~$150- Search SciQuest for "9358455"
-
Magstripe Card Reader
~$65- Search SciQuest for "6634063"
Yale's IDs are proximity cards, which allow you to tap the ID instead of swipe.
Must be [configured](RFIdeas PCProx Configuration) once on a Windows computer, but can be used on any computer after that.
~$150
SciQuest Part Number: 15612860
rfideas.com
Yale IDs have a magnetic stripe on them, which allows you to swipe the card.
Omni™, Barcode & MagStripe Reader works the best of the magstripe readers tested.
~$65
IDTech Omni™, Barcode & MagStripe Reader
SciQuest Part Number: 6634063
This model works only intermittently. Sometimes it scans the barcode twice, which the software can't process properly.
~$50
ID Tech MiniMag 2 USB Interface, Keyboard Emulation, 3-Track, Black
SciQuest Part Number: 7506442
This brand didn't work for us
The devices above may work with a USB to Phone Adapter (OTG).
- Android devices tend to have these easily available online.
- Apple devices may work with a "camera connection kit", although this is untested.
Casey Watts has successfully used this adapter with both prox and magstripe readers.
I've heard there's a (much more expensive) bluetooth device for each of these (magstripe/prox) that can do the same sort of thing. I just haven't found any devices that just attach directly to an iPad (like the one Sam and Lynn are using) and produce keyboard input without an SDK, but I hope those exist.
Square won't work with CardSwipr.
To use a Square device you would have to have their proprietary audio decoder (it goes in the audio jack!). CardSwipr depends on these devices providing keyboard input to work. If you'd like to see how complex the decoder would be, check out 0this article](http://www.instructables.com/id/Read-any-magnetic-strip-card-with-a-Square-reader-/).