Handheld & Fixed Readers

Quick-start guides for NordicID and Data Handheld RFID readers

NordicID Sampo S3 High Performance Reader

A high-performance fixed RFID reader from NordicID, offering versatile connectivity and robust performance for demanding environments.

Key Specs

•Multi-region UHF RFID
•Multiple antenna ports
•Ethernet, USB, GPIO connectivity
•PoE support
•Compact industrial design

Common Use Cases

•Warehouse portals
•Production line tracking
•Logistics sorting
•Automated inventory stations

Quick Setup Steps

1 Mount the Sampo S3 at your deployment point using the included bracket.
2 Connect RFID antennas to the antenna ports with 50Ω coaxial cables.
3 Provide power via PoE or the DC power input.
4 Connect to your network via Ethernet. Access the web management interface.
5 Configure region settings, antenna power, and read modes via the management UI.
6 Integrate with your middleware using the NordicID SDK or LLRP protocol.
7 Test read performance with sample tags at each antenna position.

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NordicID Sampo S1 USB Reader

A compact USB-powered RFID reader ideal for desktop and point-of-interaction applications. Plug-and-play simplicity with no external power needed.

Key Specs

•USB powered & connected
•Integrated antenna
•Compact desktop form factor
•UHF RFID Gen2
•Keyboard emulation mode

Common Use Cases

•Desktop enrollment stations
•Point-of-sale verification
•Document tracking
•Lab sample management

Quick Setup Steps

1 Connect the Sampo S1 to your computer via the USB cable.
2 Install the NordicID driver/utility software if required by your OS.
3 The reader can operate in keyboard emulation mode — tags are read as keystrokes into any application.
4 For advanced integration, use the NordicID SDK to build custom read logic.
5 Place tagged items within 20–30 cm of the reader's integrated antenna.
6 Adjust read power via the configuration utility for optimal range.

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NordicID HH85 Handheld Reader

A rugged handheld UHF RFID reader with an integrated Android device. Designed for mobile inventory, asset tracking, and field operations.

Key Specs

•Android OS
•Integrated UHF RFID reader
•Barcode scanner (1D/2D)
•Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 4G
•All-day battery life
•IP65 rated, drop-tested

Common Use Cases

•Mobile inventory counts
•Asset auditing
•Field service operations
•Warehouse picking
•Retail shelf scanning

Quick Setup Steps

1 Charge the device fully before first use (USB-C or cradle charging).
2 Power on and complete the Android setup wizard.
3 Install your inventory/asset management app from the NordicID app ecosystem or your MDM.
4 Configure the RFID reader settings via the NordicID Reader app: region, power level, and session.
5 Pair with Wi-Fi or cellular network for real-time data sync.
6 Hold the trigger to scan — the device reads RFID tags and barcodes simultaneously.
7 For bulk reads, sweep the device across shelves or pallets in a smooth motion.

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Data Handheld DS60S

A versatile handheld RFID reader with long read range and ergonomic pistol-grip design. Built for intensive scanning sessions in warehouses and yards.

Key Specs

•Pistol-grip design
•UHF RFID + barcode
•Long read range (up to 10m)
•Android OS
•Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 4G LTE
•Hot-swappable battery
•IP67 rated

Common Use Cases

•Yard management
•Large warehouse operations
•Vehicle/container tracking
•Loading dock verification
•Asset audits across large areas

Quick Setup Steps

1 Insert and charge the battery. The DS60S supports hot-swapping for uninterrupted use.
2 Power on and complete the initial Android configuration.
3 Install your scanning application or use the built-in demo app for testing.
4 Configure RFID settings: region, transmit power (adjustable for range), and tag filtering.
5 Connect to Wi-Fi or cellular for live data upload.
6 Pull the trigger to scan. For long-range reads, point the top of the device toward the tags.
7 Use batch mode for offline scanning if network coverage is limited.

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Data Handheld DS50

A compact and lightweight handheld RFID reader designed for mobile workers who need a pocketable device without sacrificing performance.

Key Specs

•Compact smartphone-sized form
•UHF RFID + barcode
•Android OS
•Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC
•Full-shift battery
•IP65 rated

Common Use Cases

•Retail inventory
•Library management
•Healthcare asset checks
•Event access control
•Small item tracking

Quick Setup Steps

1 Charge via USB-C or the optional cradle.
2 Power on and go through the Android setup process.
3 Install your inventory or tracking application.
4 Configure RFID read power via the settings app — lower power for close-range, higher for shelf scanning.
5 Connect to your facility Wi-Fi for real-time syncing.
6 Use the side button or on-screen trigger to initiate RFID reads.
7 The compact size makes it easy to carry in a pocket between scanning sessions.

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Troubleshooting

Common handheld reader issues and field solutions

Battery & Charging Issues

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Won't charge: Clean the charging contacts with isopropyl alcohol. Check that the USB-C cable supports data+power (not charge-only). Try a different cable and adapter.
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Battery drains fast: High RFID transmit power and short scan intervals drain the battery quickly. Reduce TX power for close-range tasks. Disable unused radios (4G, Bluetooth) when not needed.
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Won't power on: If the battery is deeply discharged, connect to power and wait 10–15 minutes before attempting to turn on. Hold the power button for 5+ seconds.
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Hot-swap tips (DS60S): Always have a charged spare battery ready. Insert the new battery within 60 seconds to avoid a full reboot.

Bluetooth / Wi-Fi Connectivity

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Wi-Fi keeps disconnecting: Check that your Wi-Fi network supports the device's frequency band (2.4 GHz recommended for warehouse coverage). 5 GHz has shorter range in obstructed environments.
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Bluetooth pairing fails: Remove old pairings on both devices and re-pair. Ensure the handheld's Bluetooth is in discoverable mode. Restart Bluetooth on both ends.
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Slow data sync: Large inventory scans over Bluetooth are slow — use Wi-Fi for bulk uploads. If Wi-Fi is unavailable, batch the data and sync when back in range.
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Network roaming: In large warehouses, configure the device to roam aggressively between access points. Check your MDM or Wi-Fi settings for roaming thresholds.

Poor Scan Performance

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Short read distance: Increase TX power in the RFID settings. For the DS60S, point the top of the device (where the antenna is) directly at the tags.
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Missing tags on shelves: Sweep slowly and steadily. Moving too fast causes the reader to miss tags. Aim for ~0.5m/second scanning speed for dense tag environments.
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Reading wrong tags: Lower the TX power to narrow the read zone. Use RSSI filtering in the app to exclude distant tags. Angle the device to focus on the target area.
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Barcode not scanning: Clean the scanner window. Ensure adequate lighting for camera-based scanners. For laser scanners, check that the barcode isn't damaged or too small.

App Crashes & Sync Failures

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App crashes on large scans: Clear the app cache. If scanning thousands of tags, enable pagination or auto-upload to prevent memory overflow.
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Data not syncing: Check network connectivity. Verify the server endpoint is reachable. Look for sync error logs in the app settings → diagnostics.
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App frozen: Force-close the app (swipe up from recent apps). If the device is unresponsive, hold the power button for 10+ seconds for a hard reset.
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Lost scan data: Most apps store scans locally before syncing. Check the app's local storage or export function. Always enable auto-save in the settings.

Trigger Button Not Responding

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Hardware trigger: Check that the trigger is mapped to RFID scan in the device's key mapping settings. Some apps require explicit trigger configuration.
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Stuck trigger: Debris or dust can jam the trigger mechanism. Clean around the trigger with compressed air. If physically stuck, the device needs service.
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Software trigger works but hardware doesn't: Restart the RFID service. Go to Settings → RFID → Restart Service, or reboot the device.

Need help choosing the right reader?

Our team can recommend the best handheld or fixed reader for your specific application and environment.