Tru-Test XRS2i Stick Reader Quickstart Guide

Introduction

This quickstart guide provides basic instructions for setting up and using your XRS2i Stick Reader.

For further information, view the reference information on the supplied USB stick or visit tru-test.com.

The Datamars Livestock Help Centre provides searchable articles and videos to help you when you need it. Access the help centre via the mobile phone app or go to support.livestock.datamars.com.

1 Unpacking the box

Check that you have all of these items. If anything is missing, contact your supplier.

• XRS2i stick reader: The primary device for scanning EID tags.
• USB stick: Contains Data Link PC software and reference information.
• USB cable: Used for charging the stick reader and connecting it to a PC.
• Mains power adaptor: Includes power plugs for different countries.

2 Charging the battery

Use only the power adaptor and cables supplied.

Do not charge the battery if the temperature is less than 5 °C (41 °F), or greater than 40 °C (104 °F).

1. Find the correct power plug for your country and assemble the mains power adaptor.
2. Plug in the power adaptor and switch on the power.
3. Connect the USB cable to the power adaptor and to the stick reader.
4. Leave the stick reader charging overnight before first use. The stick reader can be used for up to 19 hours before it will need recharging again.

3 Getting around

Parts of the stick reader:

• Antenna: For reading EID tags.
• LCD screen: Displays information and menu options.
• Power button: Press once to turn ON, press and hold to turn OFF.
• Read button: Used to scan an EID tag or select an option.
• Softkeys: Perform actions indicated by labels on the LCD screen.
• Keypad: For data entry.
• Mini USB plug: For charging or connection to other devices.

The Home screen:

When you first switch on the stick reader, the Home screen is displayed. Scroll through the options using the arrow keys [Up Arrow] and [Down Arrow] and choose an option using the Select button.

Options include: Scan, New Session, Sessions, Settings.

4 Recording EID tags

Ways of using the stick reader:

1. Standalone: The stick reader saves each scanned tag in its internal memory. Records can be transferred later (see Section 7).
2. Connected: The EID reader immediately transmits every scanned tag to a connected device, such as a weigh scale indicator.

Recording EID tags (standalone):

Start a new session file each time you begin a new scanning session.

1. Press the [Power Button] to switch on the stick reader.
2. On the Home screen, press [Up Arrow] and select New Session.
3. If desired, change the session name using the keypad.
4. Press [Check Mark].
5. Press the Read button while holding the stick reader near to an EID tag. The EID tag number is read and recorded. An 'F' or 'H' will appear on the screen indicating the tag type (FDX-B or HDX). The stick reader beeps once (if enabled).

When animals are moving quickly, you can continuously hold down the Read button to scan multiple EID tags. Scanning stops when the Read button is released.

Entering other information:

During scanning, you can record additional information such as the animal's VID (visual ID), condition score, breed, or custom data fields. Refer to 'Making the most of your stick reader' for details.

Displaying other information:

Information like alerts or animal lifetime data (e.g., EID/VID pairs) can be pre-loaded for viewing during scanning. Refer to 'Making the most of your stick reader' for details.

5 Bluetooth® connection

The stick reader automatically connects to any Tru-Test Bluetooth enabled weigh scale indicator or other previously paired device (in BT Auto mode).

To manually establish a Bluetooth connection:

1. With both devices off, position the stick reader close to the other device.
2. Switch on the other device and ensure its Bluetooth setting is enabled.
3. Switch on the stick reader.
4. Select Settings, then Bluetooth to display the Bluetooth Settings screen.
5. Select Search for devices. A list of available devices will be displayed.
6. Select a device and wait up to one minute for pairing. The Bluetooth indicator light above the Read/Select button will illuminate blue when pairing is complete.
7. Use the stick reader to scan an EID tag to test the connection.

Always turn on the device you are trying to pair with first, BEFORE the stick reader.

6 Viewing sessions

You can view information collected during a session in the Sessions screen.

1. If necessary, press the [Home Icon] to go to the Home screen.
2. Select Sessions. A list of sessions is displayed.
3. Select a session to view its start time/date and the count of records. Individual records show EID and VID. Options for editing the session are also available.

7 Getting information off

There are two ways to get information off the stick reader:

Data Link PC software:

You can save session files, save animal lifetime information, save alerts, register transactions with NAIT (NZ) or NLIS (Australia), and upload sessions to Datamars Livestock.

To do this:

1. Connect the stick reader to a PC using the cable supplied.
2. Launch Data Link on your PC.
3. Click the [Get Info Icon] to get information off the stick reader.

Data Link app for mobile devices:

You can email a session file, register transactions with NAIT (NZ) or NLIS (Australia), and upload sessions to Datamars Livestock.

To do this: Launch the app on your smartphone and follow the instructions.

The Tru-Test Data Link app is available for free from the Google Play store (Android devices) or the Apple App store (Apple iOS).

8 Datamars Livestock cloud software

View your data online anywhere with Datamars Livestock. It allows you to monitor animal weight gains and track performance to target weights. Monitor animals in groups, act early if they fall behind target, or track individually to identify top performers and slow-growing stock.

Access the software at: livestock.datamars.com.

9 Making the most of your stick reader

Entering extra information during scanning:

You can add extra information about the animal, such as breed or condition score, or create your own additional animal data fields.

To set up a field for entering information during scanning:

1. From the Home screen, select Settings, then Animal Data.
2. Select one of the fields (Breed, Date of birth, Sex, Condition score, and Note are defaults).
3. Change the screen order if needed (e.g., select '1' for the first field).
4. Select 'edit' to change the field name or options.

You can create your own additional animal data fields by pressing [+] at step 2 and following the prompts.

Example of entering data during scanning (Breed and Condition score fields):

1. Scan the EID tag.
2. Enter the Breed by scrolling through options or using the keypad.
3. Press [Down Arrow] to scroll to the next data entry field.
4. Enter the condition score by pressing a number on the keypad.
5. Scan a new EID tag to begin a new record.

10 Pre-loading animal lifetime information or alerts

Animal lifetime information or alerts can be transferred from a PC to the stick reader prior to scanning, using the Data Link PC software.

Animal lifetime information:

When an animal's EID tag is scanned, other information about the animal will be displayed. This can include EID/VID pairs, so the VID appears automatically.

For details, refer to the Setup Guide - Transferring animal lifetime information to the XRS2/XRS2i Stick Reader.

Alerts:

If alerts information is transferred, an alert will be issued when an animal's EID tag is scanned (e.g., an alert to cull a particular animal).

To transfer animal lifetime information or alerts from the PC to the stick reader:

1. Connect the stick reader to a PC using the cable supplied.
2. Launch Data Link on your PC.
3. Click the [Select File Icon], select 'Animal Lifetime Information' or 'Alerts file', and follow the prompts.

The PC file can be in .csv, .xls, .xlsx, or .txt format, but must be formatted correctly.

For details about setting up alerts, refer to the Setup Guide - Setting up Alerts on the XRS2/XRS2i Stick Reader.

11 Getting help

Help articles and videos:

The Datamars Livestock Help Centre provides searchable articles and videos. Access it via the mobile phone app or go to support.livestock.datamars.com.

Some topics are available in French, German, Spanish, and Portuguese.

Online training:

The Datamars Livestock Training Academy offers accessible online training modules. Register for free at livestock.datamars.com/training-academy.

The Training Academy is also available in French, German, Spanish, and Portuguese.

Training modules cover topics like Electric Fencing, Animal Weighing, and Animal Identification.

12 Instructional setup guides

Setup Guides provide instructions and practical examples for using your Tru-Test device, including advanced features and integration with third-party software or hardware.

Examples include 'Setting up Alerts', 'XRS2/XRS2i Offspring Pairing', and 'Transferring animal lifetime information'.

To access these guides:

1. Go to tru-test.com.
2. Click Guides & Advice > Set-up Guides.
3. Filter and navigate to the product information you want.

Alternatively, click into the product page and select 'Set-up Guides' from the left panel menu.

Both the Tru-Test website and the setup guides are only available in English.

13 Modifying settings

Online troubleshooting:

For troubleshooting and advice, chat directly via the mobile phone app (tap [Settings Icon], then [Chat Icon]) or on Datamars websites by clicking the [Chat Icon] in the bottom right corner.

Modifying settings:

The stick reader can be configured to suit specific tasks. By default, it scans EID tags only.

Favourite setups:

Favourite setups are saved configurations that change the reader's settings for a particular purpose. The reader comes with pre-loaded examples, or you can create your own custom favourites.

Settings menu:

To modify settings, from the Home screen, select Settings. After changing settings, you can save them as a custom favourite to apply later.

14 Settings Details

General:

Change Date/Time, Language/Country, Auto Off, Vibration, and Buzzer settings. View stick reader firmware details.

Bluetooth:

• Auto**: Automatically connects to the most recently used or a Tru-Test Bluetooth enabled device.
• Off: Turns off Bluetooth wireless connectivity.
• Manual: Manually searches for and accepts Bluetooth connections.
• Search for Devices: Manually search for Bluetooth devices within range.
• Paired Devices: Displays previously connected devices.

Advanced - Connect Mode:

• Default**: Connects to weigh scale indicators and most software systems.
• HID (Human Interface Device): Transmits scanned EID tags to spreadsheets (e.g., Excel) or other devices not directly integrated with the reader.

Output:

Default**: Leave as default unless instructed by a Datamars representative.

15 Tag Reading Settings

Read Mode:

• Standard**: Press Read to scan a tag; hold for continuous scanning.
• Continuous: Press Read for continuous scanning; press again to stop.
• Single: Press Read for a single tag scan.

Tag Format:

Formats include Decimal**, Decimal2, Hex, ISO, and ISO23, with examples provided.

Allow Duplicates:

• No**: Ensures an EID is not recorded multiple times in the same session.
• Yes: Allows EIDs to be recorded multiple times.

Allow Blank Data:

• On**: Allows leaving empty fields during data collection.
• Off: Ensures all fields are entered.

Offspring Mode:

On: Enables linking a dam with her offspring for breeding histories. Off**: Turns off offspring pairing.

Refer to the Setup Guide - XRS2/XRS2i Offspring Pairing for details.

16 Animal Data and Favourites

Animal Data:

If Offspring Pairing is ON, you can set whether data is recorded for the Dam, Offspring, or Both. Custom animal data fields can be created and selected for screen display.

ISO Synchro:

• On: Enables wireless synchronisation with panel readers.
• Off**: Turns off wireless synchronisation.

Alerts:

Turn on Alerts to be warned when a particular animal's tag is scanned. Requires transferring an alerts file.

Favourites:

To save settings as a custom favourite:

1. From the Home screen, select Settings, then Favourites.
2. Press the [Save Icon], complete the details, and press [Check Mark].

Default settings are marked with **.

17 Maintenance and servicing

Backing up your information:

Regularly back up data to a PC using Data Link PC software.

Updating your software:

Update the stick reader software for the latest features and improvements.

To update the software:

1. Connect the stick reader to a PC using the cable supplied.
2. Launch Data Link on your PC.
3. Click Tools / Updates.
4. Follow the step-by-step instructions.

Data on the stick reader remains intact during updates. It is recommended to transfer data to a PC before updating.

Caring for the stick reader:

• Wipe clean with a damp cloth, warm water, and soap. Avoid harsh cleaners.
• Do not immerse in water.
• Avoid extreme temperatures (e.g., on a vehicle dashboard).
• Store in a cool, dry place.
• Use the dust cap when no cables are connected to prevent moisture and dirt entry.

18 Compliance and Disposal

Europe - Instructions for disposal of product:

This symbol [Recycle Symbol] indicates that the product and its batteries must not be disposed of with other waste. It must be handed over to a designated collection point for the recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment. This helps conserve natural resources and protect human health and the environment. Contact your local city recycling office or dealer for more information.

The product contains lithium-ion and lithium metal batteries. For dismantling instructions for recycling, email service.dept@datamars.com.

Compliance:

FCC notice: This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to two conditions: it may not cause harmful interference, and it must accept any interference received. The equipment has been tested and found to comply with limits for a Class B digital device.

FCC warning: Users are cautioned that changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.

19 Regulatory Information

Responsible party in the USA:

Datamars Inc, 528 Grant Road, Mineral Wells, Texas 76067, USA. Toll free: 800 874 8494.

ISED Canada notice:

This radio transmitter (model XRS2i-1) is approved by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. It complies with licence-exempt RSS standard(s) and is subject to two conditions: no interference, and acceptance of any interference.

UK declaration of conformity:

Datamars declares that the radio equipment types XRS2i-1 comply with statutory requirements. The full declaration is available at http://livestock.tru-test.com/en/compliance.

EU declaration of conformity:

Datamars declares that the radio equipment type XRS2i-1 complies with Directive 2014/53/EU. The full declaration is available at http://livestock.tru-test.com/en/compliance.

The radio equipment emits a maximum of 0.7 mW e.i.r.p. in the 134.18-134.22 kHz band and 18 mW e.i.r.p. in the 2.40-2.48 GHz band.

Bluetooth® is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc.