Please offer some advice. Thanks.
—Name withheld
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It’s difficult to make a recommendation without knowing more about your particular application. Do you require a handheld, mobile or fixed reader? And what type of object will be tagged? The proper reader would depend on answers to these questions.
Generally speaking, low-frequency (LF) and high-frequency (HF) fixed interrogators can read tags from a distance of approximately 1 meter (3.3 feet), sometimes more, depending on a variety of factors, including the type of object being tagged, the size of the tag antenna and so forth. HF readers tend to be cheaper than ultrahigh-frequency (UHF), but the read range might be a little too short for your needs.
Alien Technology‘s ALR-9650 UHF reader is priced at under $1,000, and there are a few other fixed readers in that range as well. Generally speaking, handheld readers are more expensive. As I said, without knowing more about your application and price range, it’s difficult to offer specific suggestions. I welcome any solutions providers to post information below regarding their low-cost reader options.
—Mark Roberti, Founder and Editor, RFID Journal