TSL’s 3166 Bluetooth Rugged Handheld UHF RFID Reader
Posted by Suzanne Smiley on Feb 21, 2024
Technology Solutions Ltd – better known in the RFID industry as TSL, has launched a new rugged handheld reader, the 3166. The 3166 will be the third handheld UHF RFID reader in their rugged line, behind the TSL 1166 and the TSL 2166.
The all new TSL 3166 Rugged Bluetooth RAIN RFID Reader is set to replace the TSL 2166 – which will reach its end-of-life later in Q1 of 2024. The 3166 will improve upon the 2166’s rugged form factor and features, and will be backward compatible with existing software support.
The key improvements in the TSL 3166 include:
- Faster read rates – up to 1,200 tags per second
- Faster ePop-Loq technology
- Improved Bluetooth® Module – BLE-enabled & faster Bluetooth® classic
- Longer battery life*
- Multiple (batch) tag operations per single tag read
- Support for sensor RFID tags
Currently the TSL 3166 is available for preorder for FCC and ETSI regions – including upper and lower ETSI band options. The 3166 has a read range of up to 9 m (29.5 ft) and a write range of 4 m (13.1 ft) and has a circularly polarized antenna. This handheld UHF RFID reader is rated IP 67, with a drop specification of 1.8 m (5.9 ft) and has tumble specifications of 1500 0.5 meter tumbles at room temperature. It also meets the MIL-STD 810F for drop, tumble, and sealing.
Like all TSL RFID readers, there is an optional 2D barcode scan engine module with a sensor resolution of 1280 x 960 pixels. The Bluetooth® frequency range is 2.4 – 2.4835 GHz with a Bluetooth® range of up to 100 m (328 ft). The TSL 3166 uses the same charging cradle as the TSL 1166 and the TSL 2166 – which is available here.
The TSL 2166 will still be available until product runs out.
Contact Us
For more information on the end-of-life of the TSL 2166 and the new TSL 3166 – contact us or email us directly!
*Battery life expected to be better than the 2166, but testing is still underway