Allflex AWR250 Reader Quick Start Guide
The Allflex AWR250 Stick Reader is a high-quality, economical, yet powerful solution for quickly and reliably reading large numbers of animals' EID tags and managing animal events. It provides outstanding reading performance, long-lasting batteries, robust design, unique data collection features, and extended connectivity options.
What is in the Box
The package contains the following items:
- USB-A Magnetic-Connector Cable: Used for charging the device and connecting it to a computer.
- AWR250 Reader device: The main unit for reading EID tags.
Visual Description: A diagram shows a USB-A connector on one end and a magnetic connector on the other, linked by a cable. Next to it is the AWR250 Reader device, depicted with its screen and handle.
Allflex Connect
Introducing Allflex Connect – a universal mobile APP designed to connect your EID readers with an on-farm management platform, external identification systems, and the Allflex cloud.
With Allflex Connect, you can:
- Create and edit customized animal cards and lists.
- Share records with your herd management system.
- Upload data to the cloud for actionable insights.
- Connect your reader to your mobile via Bluetooth.
- Keep your readers up to date with regular firmware updates.
Downloading the App and pairing it with your reader before first use is recommended. To download, please visit Google Play or the Apple Store.
Getting Started
Battery Charge
The device should be fully charged before the first use.
To charge, use the provided Magnetic-USB power source.
Connecting the USB cable: The magnetized connectors automatically align due to their attraction, finding the proper orientation. Note: DO NOT FORCE a connection. If it does not insert smoothly, verify that it is correctly oriented.
Visual Description: Three illustrations show the magnetic USB connector being attached to the reader device. The first shows the connector approaching, the second shows it aligning, and the third shows it fully connected.
Charging is complete when no bars are flashing anymore on the battery indicator. To disconnect, pull the connector away from the device.
When charged, the battery info will show the percentage of the battery and a rough estimation of operating time.
Example Display: ? Battery info: 57%
Expected battery life: 12h (4h 0m Read mode)
Initial Configuration
Set Language:
The default display language is English at first start-up. You can change the language by accessing Menu >> Setup >> Display >> Set Language. Navigate the options and select your language preference by pressing ENTER.
Note: It is possible to upload up to 29 custom languages. Contact your local distributor for further details.
Example Display:
Sett language
English (Default)
Deutsch / German
Francais / French
Set Read mode:
By default, the reader is set to 'Single Read' (one scan per animal). Choosing 'Continuous mode' enables batch reading.
Note: The 'Auto' setting starts a Single Read on a short press of the ENTER key and Continuous Read mode with a long press (over one second).
Example Display:
Sett language
Single Read
Continuous Read
Auto
Device Properties
Multi-Color Status Led: Located at the top of the reader, it indicates the read status of the tag. The color changes according to the charging status when the display is switched off:
- Flashing: Charging ⚡
- Solid: Fully Charged ✅
Blue Status Led: Used to indicate the connection status when the display is switched off:
- Flashing every 3 seconds: SD Card Mode ?
- Flashing once a second: Suspend Mode (CDC)
Visual Description: An illustration of the AWR250 reader device. Callouts point to:
- The Multi-Color Status LED at the top.
- The Blue Status LED.
- The large 2.4" Color Display.
- The Easily Controlled Ergonomic Keypad, featuring a directional pad with an ENTER key and two soft keys.
- The Magnetic USB Connector at the bottom.
The screen display shows "Allflex", battery/connection icons (?, ?), clock (18:57), "Press [ENTER] to read", "no active group", and buttons for [Menu] and [New Group].
Display
The reader's display provides several indicators:
- Battery Status Indicator: Shows the approximate battery level, battery faults, and Bluetooth connection status. ? ?
- USB connection: Indicates when the reader is connected via USB. ?
- Clock: Displays the current time in 24-hour mode.
Visual Description: A close-up of the reader's screen. It shows the battery indicator, Bluetooth icon, USB connection icon, clock (18:57), a prompt "Press [ENTER] to read", "no active group", and two soft key labels: [Menu] and [New Group].
Keypad
The keypad is designed for easy control:
- Left Soft-Key: Performs various functions depending on the associated screen display.
- Power On/ENTER Key: Used to turn the device on/off and confirm selections.
- Right Soft-Key: Performs various functions depending on the associated screen display.
- Direction Keys: Used for navigation, scrolling, and character selection in input fields. (▲, ▼, ◀, ▶)
Visual Description: An illustration of the keypad layout. It shows the Left Soft-Key (red dot ?), the Power On/ENTER Key (green button with a checkmark-like symbol), the Right Soft-Key (blue dot ?), and the Direction Keys (up ▲, down ▼, left ◀, right ▶).
NOTE: Press the down button key for more than 2 seconds to switch off the device.
Quick Reading Steps
Best Orientation
Visual Description: Two diagrams illustrate tag orientation relative to the reader. The top diagram shows an optimal orientation with the tag aligned perpendicular to the reader's flux lines, marked with a checkmark ✔️. The bottom diagram shows a non-recommended orientation, marked with a cross ❌.
Textual explanation: "While a reader is actively scanning for an EID tag, it creates an electromagnetic field. This is what determines a range and best orientation of a tag for a successful reading."
Flux Lines are indicated in the diagram.
Reading EID Tags:
- Press to Read.
- Scan the EID tag near the field lines of the reader.
- The device's RGB LED signal will turn on, accompanied by signalization motors (sound and vibration).
- The tag ID will be shown on the display screen when successfully read.
- A 'No Tag' message will appear on the screen if the reading fails.
LED Status Indicators:
- Flashing slowly: RF is activated, ready to read tags.
- Flashing fast: Tag was successfully read. ✅
- Flashing fast: Tag has been read repeatedly (duplicate). ⚠️
Visual Description: The reader screen displays a successfully read tag ID: "980 0001010178". Another screen shows "No Tags" indicating a failed read. A small diagram shows the reader scanning a tag.
Assigning Tags:
- At the home display, press the button.
- Insert Group Name using the direction keys to navigate letters, numbers, or symbols.
- When finished, press to exit the keyboard, and confirm the name by pressing .
- To assign tags to the group created, enter the group and start reading.
NOTE: After 10,000 records within one group, the device will force the user to create a new group.
Visual Description: The reader screen shows the keyboard interface for naming a new group. It displays letters (a-z), numbers (0-9), and symbols. An example group name "Group 2" is shown, with options to [ABC] or [Close].
