Hardware
A real EID reader. A fraction of the price.
Commercial sheep and cattle EID stick readers cost £400 to over £1,000. That's a serious barrier if you're a smallholder or new farmer. Our DIY kit reads the same HDX and FDX-B tags, pairs with Tractr over Bluetooth, and you put it together yourself in about an hour.
Price comparison
| Reader | Indicative UK price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shearwell SDL series | £500–£900 | Industry standard stick reader |
| Tru-Test / Datamars | £600–£1,000+ | Premium integrated systems |
| Allflex | £400–£800 | Manufacturer of many UK tags |
| Tractr DIY EID Kit | A fraction of the above | Self-assemble, ~1 hour, no proprietary lock-in |
Prices are indicative and vary by retailer and bundle. Compare on the day before you decide.
What you get
In the box
- RFID reader module (134.2 kHz, HDX + FDX-B)
- Microcontroller with Bluetooth
- Battery and charging board
- Pre-printed enclosure (or STL for 3D printing)
- All cables, fasteners and a step-by-step build guide
What it does
- Reads ISO 11784/11785 HDX & FDX-B sheep, cattle and goat tags
- Pairs over Bluetooth (HID / SPP) — works with Tractr or anything else
- Battery life sufficient for a full day's work
- Field-repairable — no proprietary screws or sealed units
FAQ
What tag standards does the DIY EID kit read?
The kit reads both HDX and FDX-B 134.2 kHz ISO 11784/11785 tags — the standard for UK sheep, cattle and goat EID.
How does the kit compare to a Shearwell or Tru-Test reader?
Enterprise stick readers from brands like Shearwell, Tru-Test/Datamars and Allflex typically cost £400–£1,000+. Our DIY kit costs a fraction of that. You assemble it yourself (about an hour, no special skills) and it pairs with the Tractr app over Bluetooth.
Do I have to use Tractr software with the kit?
No. The kit outputs standard tag IDs over Bluetooth Serial / HID, so it works with any app that can accept a barcode-scanner-style input. Tractr integration is just the easiest route.
When will the kit be available?
The kit is currently in development. Join the waitlist and you'll be notified the moment pre-orders open.
Join the EID kit waitlist
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