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Affordable Mag-Stripe Card Readers for Linux?

Posted by timothy on from the things-that-sound-simple-but-aren't dept.

Skip Franklin asks: "I'm looking for a mag-stripe card reader to use with a Linux kiosk. I've searched all over the web, but I'm not finding much in the way of hardware vendors that say they support Linux. There's tons of stuff on smartcards, but I just want a simple (read: cheap) mag-stripe reader. Anyone using one of these (preferrably USB interface, serial if necessary)?" Anyone who's had better luck than Skip at finding such a beast?

4 of 22 comments (clear)

  1. MagTek by eric2hill · · Score: 5, Informative

    MagTek readers are very common in our industry. They have stand-alone readers availible in USB, RS232, keyboard wedge, and TTL configurations. You can also pick up insert kiosk-style readers for use in your own custom designed enclosures. The small form factor keyboard wedges are around $70 from many dealers. I've installed more of those than I can count. Search Google for the part number you're looking for and you'll probably get pages of matches.

    If you're looking for more configurability, have a look at IDT-Net's readers. They are available in the stand-alone and kiosk-styles like MagTek, but they have models that can be programmed to pre-pend, post-pend, and modify swiped data before transmittal. That feature is REALLY nice when you're trying to decode some custom membership card that's got it's own wierd track II format. The Omni readers are in the $180 range.

    --
    LOAD "SIG",8,1
    LOADING...
    READY.
    RUN
  2. Smart Card readers are cheaper. by ivan256 · · Score: 5, Informative

    If cheap is your main requirement, you'll likely be better off with smart cards. Mag stripe readers have a mechanical component (to determine what speed you're running the card through at) Where a passive smart card reader is basically a cable with a fancy socket.You can get fully capable smart card readers for under $30. I found this link on google in seconds: http://www.danaco.net. They even have unassembled readers that you can put together yourself to save extra bucks.

    1. Re:Smart Card readers are cheaper. by ivan256 · · Score: 3, Informative

      You'd be surprised. If all you want is data storage the cards are very inexpensive.

      A quick check on google shows that mag strips cards average around $0.30 each in quantities of 100. Smartcards that hold 1k of data are the same price.

  3. Build it yourself... by CoolVibe · · Score: 3, Informative
    Well, they're not swipe-cards, but probably even more useful. I am talking about smart-cards.

    Check here for schematics and other info about smartcards.

    There's also source code available to drive the damn machine you can build with the info on the site. AFAIK tested on Linux and FreeBSD and it worked.