Halo Microchip Scanner Black,135mm Durchmesser X 33mm

An excellent microchip reader, we had a Surepet one which couldn’t seem to locate our cats chips but this found them straight away. Also used by our vet, 10/10.

Really good microchip reader, very reliable. I know these are used by vets and dog handlers too. I believe it is cheaper to order from them directly, however the next day delivery was perfect for me. The reader is chargeable and easy to use, it comes up with accurate readings and clearly tells you when it’s found something. I wish the number would stay up for longer, however just got into the habit of taking a photo each time.

So east to use. The shape is brilliant. Clear read out.

Works for the North American microchip! Great value

perfect for my use for it!

Bought because we're looking for our chipped and missing cat, and getting a confirmation scan during Covid lockdown could be difficult. On the plus side, it's simple enough to use. Negatives - on/off button is very stiff to operate so some may find it difficult, instructions could be a bit more comprehensive to cover HOW to scan effectively rather than just how to operate the item, and displayed numbers even in memory mode do not stay on for very long if you're trying to copy them carefully. Big minus for some of us is that associated software is Windows only. Not for Mac and no definite date for when it will be. However, the software - as far as I can tell - is mainly to get an indication of whether the scanned animal is reported as lost/stolen/whatever. It is not required for the actual scan and you can check the number against another general database to find out what company the chip is registered with. RATHER ODD - after trying the memory mode to read a scan taken a few minutes ago, I found two other numbers were in the scanner; one (twice) UK/EU 15 digit with PetLog and one foreign 10 digit. Now wondering whether they're just the result of a factory test scan, whether the item has been used and returned before selling to me, or whether I need to report the PetLog one. No idea how to report the foreign one.

Good

This is dead easy to use. It is a bit odd in the sense that I'd expect the scan button to be on the front or on the hand grip, but it is on the rear (or if you hold it the other way around, your palm covers the display). I nearly knocked a mark off for that, but it may only really matter to a frequent user. I did not bother using the CD provided (windows only) for the software, but downloaded the latest (version 2.0) from the scannerangel website. That installed fine on a Windows 8.1 box. I got the scanner since we plan to take our dog on holiday to the continent with us and (probably being a bit paranoid) I want to be sure that the chip was still OK (though I guess that I could ask the vet to check when they do the tapeworm treatment before travelling). One thing to be aware of is that the first scanner update from a PC can take a while - perhaps 5 or 10 mins. It automatically updates when you plug it into your computer (if the scanner angel software is installed). A minor gripe is that the USB connection is via a mini USB connector. These days a micro USB would have been a bit better as that is more common. Note that it will not read some chips that are normally only used in the US such as the AVID-Encrypted microchips or the10 digit Trovan microchip... see the scannerangel FAQ for details.