The EID stick reader can be set up to connect with a barcode scanner via Bluetooth®. You may want to use a barcode scanner to scan barcodes into an animal data field. For example, scanning a DNA sample barcode number into the XRS2i/XRS2 to match it with the correct animal sampled.
Custom data fields on the XRS2i/XRS2 can be created to input a scanned barcode, or you can use an existing animal data field such as the EID or VID.
📝 The XRS2i/XRS2 should be running software version 1.1.4 or above. See how to upgrade your XRS2i/XRS2's software.
Watch the video to learn how to set up the connection:
📝 In the video the XRS2 is used as the example. The accessories and set up is the same for the XRS2i. In the video, we use the set up for the XRS2 to scan a barcode on a DNA sample tube, to link it the animal's EID number.
Steps:
1. Setting up the barcode scanner
1. Setting up the barcode scanner
The scanner doesn't have a keyboard or display window so needs configuration by scanning barcodes. This will reset it back to factory defaults and then define what to do after each scanning operation i.e. generate a press of an ENTER key (Carriage Return/Line Feed).
📝 Every model of barcode scanner is slightly different. Here are several major barcode scanner brands and the settings required for them to work correctly. If your brand/model is not listed, refer to the documentation supplied with your barcode scanner. For more information on purchasing a barcode scanner, talk to your local territory manager.
Scan the following settings in order (find equivalently named settings for other manufacturers not listed here):
Barcode scanner brand | Settings you should change |
Zebra/Motorola barcode scanners | Scan settings from Zebra/Motorola user guide:
|
Intermec barcode scanners | Scan settings from Intermec user guide:
|
Honeywell barcode scanners | Scan settings from Honeywell user guide:
|
2. Pairing the XRS2i/XRS2 to the barcode scanner
2. Pairing the XRS2i/XRS2 to the barcode scanner
Pairing the stick reader with the barcode scanner is a one off operation.
💡 Before you start, turn on the stick reader and barcode scanner and check that Bluetooth® is enabled.
1. Press V (down arrow) 
and select Settings > Bluetooth > Search for Devices:
2. The Bluetooth symbol on the stick reader's display will flash while it searches for devices, then the list of available devices will be displayed:
3. Select the barcode scanner.
4. The Bluetooth indicator light on the stick reader will illuminate blue to show that the stick reader and scanner are now paired.
3. Setting up a new animal data field (for the barcode information)
3. Setting up a new animal data field (for the barcode information)
Setting up of a new animal data field to use for the gathering of the barcode information.
From the Home screen, select Settings > Animal Data
Press ➕
to set up a new field:
Set up a field called BARCODE (or what you would like to call the field)
Store the field in the Session or as Lifetime data.
Define the field as a Number, Text or ID field, depending on your requirements:
4. Modifying the barcode scanner configuration on the XRS2i/XRS2
4. Modifying the barcode scanner configuration on the XRS2i/XRS2
Now we need to set up the XRS2i/XRS2 to be able to scan the barcode information into the new BARCODE field.
From the Home screen, select Settings > Bluetooth > Paired Devices
Select the barcode scanner:
Press ≡ (Menu).
Select Configuration
Press 🖊️(Edit) to see a list of the available animal data fields.
Select your new field (BARCODE), then ✅
.
5. Using the XRS2i/XRS2 with your barcode scanner
5. Using the XRS2i/XRS2 with your barcode scanner
Running a session operating the XRS2i/XRS2 with your barcode scanner.
To use the XRS2i/XRS2 with your barcode scanner:
From the Home screen, select Scan to go to the Scanning screen.
Scan an EID tag, then scan a barcode.
The barcode will automatically populate the BARCODE field on the stick reader's display:
📝 The maximum input length for an animal data field is 12 characters. If you scan a barcode longer than this, a warning message will be displayed. After the warning is confirmed, the last 12 characters of the scanned barcode will be entered into the BARCODE field.
