RFID ME: Read ME UHF RFID USB Desktop Reader

We needed a hardware device to read and register RFID tags in an asset tracking application we're building, and hence we tried the Read Me reader. Our application displays a prompt ("Enter tag number:") and at that point, we want the user to scan the tag and display the serial number in our application. Simple.Although the product generally works as advertised, we were disappointed in the lack of software and support it comes with. Being described as a USB HID (Human Interface Device), we incorrectly assumed it would emulate a keyboard or some other input device. In a sense, it does - however to truly use it this way (versus just with the useless Windows demo application it comes bundled with), you need to develop custom device drivers that can control the reader properly.We are professional software developers used to this sort of thing, and it was not an easy task - a team of three required two weeks of full-time work to make it operate the way we want. I don't imagine too many non-professional programmers would be able to do this.That aside, the device performance was only okay. We found there were some tags that couldn't be read, even though they are readable without incident on other RFID equipment. We also found that the device runs somewhat hot, getting uncomfortably warm to the touch if left on for several hours.If you're a serious software developer, the Read Me might be just what you want, but otherwise - unless you don't need anything more than the sample app provides - think hard about other alternatives.

Good:Small form factor with affordable price when compare to other industrial readers.Usb interface (modern PC tends to avoid serial/parallel interface).Relatively high power transmission up to +24dBmSource code is opened.Moderate:Default Windows application (MTI RFID explorer) is not so user friendly. Some features are disabled(ex. link profile). However, it seems good enough to test Gen2 tags. It works well as defined in the manual.Bad:If you want to do something more with the reader and Default Windows application, you may modify original source codes, and it was not easy for me. (Many dependencies among several projects and libraries (I mean, dll files)).In addition, as manual said, It could be quite hot when runs long time (after couple of minutes).I choose this for my research and as a toy reader to do some interesting stuffs with RFID tags. In my case, fulfilled 5/4 of my purpose and frustrated of 1/5 because of my effort.

It did not work, gives false information in reading tags. Sometimes it shows as reading tag even if the tag is faraway. I had to return it.

What a great company. Their customer service is above and beyond and they helped us use their product and get us out of a bind. I highly recommend.