Closely related to — but very different from — bar code readers is the magnetic stripe (magstripe) world of readers and encoders.

Suffice it to state that we supply magstripe readers that are both stand-alone and designed to attach to a terminal or PC, as well as reader components that are designed to be integrated into another device or system such as a kiosk or vending machine. Our readers will read all standard debit and credit cards and any other cards that have been written-to with standard encodation methods.

Magstripe encoders (writers) allow users to "write" data onto magstripes and also employ a read head to check the validity of what's been written. They are typically used by clubs and organizations wishing to write their own magstripe cards with specific data related to their use. Encoders typically have a USB or serial RS-232 interface and can often be purchased with PC-based software to do the reading and writing.

Aurora also supplies ID card printers that have built-in magstripe encoders, along with pre-encoded cards and other accessories. ID card printers