FAQ
(Frequently Asked Questions)
- Does the Sun cause problems reading barcodes?
- Can the barcodes be copied?
- How far away will the barcodes read and how fast can the vehicles move?
- What about reading decals in the rain?
- How reliable is it?
- What about reading in snow or cold temperatures?
- Can the barcodes be stolen?
- How does the vehicle reader (BA-220) work?
- What regular maintenance does the equipment need?
- Which side of the road should the reader be located?
Does the Sun cause problems reading barcodes?
No. The BA-220 DualBeam readers incorporate advanced technology that has been developed and refined after years of research. The BA-220 DualBeam will perform reliably regardless of the Sun.
All BAI readers will ignore photocopies, photographs, or computer printed duplicates of the decal.
How far away will the barcodes read and how fast can the vehicles move?
The BA-220 DualBeam is guaranteed to read barcode decals out to 6 feet away on vehicles moving at up to 25 mph. You can expect reliable performance in all kinds of weather. As long as the barcode is visible, the equipment will read it.
Our products are designed from the ground up to give years of reliable service, operating twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Provided that the normal maintenance schedule is followed BAI readers will perform reliably for many years. All BA-220 DualBeam readers are covered by a 5 year warranty that includes damage to the equipment due to lightning or power surge.
What about reading decals in the rain?
Rain or fog will not affect BA-220 DualBeam readers until it is impossible to physically see across the 6 foot reading distance. If it's raining hard enough that visibility is under 6 feet you probably shouldn't be driving.
What about reading in snow or cold temperatures?
The BA-220 DualBeam reader is an optical device much like the human eye. Just as a person cannot read a sign if it is covered by snow or ice the reader cannot read a decal that is covered. This means if snow or ice has covered the barcode decals so that you cannot see it, the reader will not be able to either. Most drivers will scrape or clean vehicle windows before moving, so it is a simple matter to clean off the decal as well.
As an alternative you can use a decal on a card that can be held up to the reader. It is possible to get 2 barcode decals with the same ID number, so that one goes on the vehicle and the other is carried for times when heavy ice and/or snow has covered the vehicle.
The decals have a waterproof adhesive that will normally last up to 5 years. Once applied to the prepared surface on the vehicle window, the decal is difficult to remove intact. Typically the decal must be scraped off in pieces to remove it.
What does the vehicle reader (BA-220) do for me?
With the BA-220 DualBeam installed, the vehicle driver does not have to do anything but drive by the reader. There is no need to stop, roll down a window and key in a security code or swipe a security card. No need to grab a transmitter and press the button, and no batteries to fail or replace.
Unlike other vehicle identification systems the decal becomes part of the vehicle. There is no security code that can be given to friends or relatives, no swipe card or transmitter to borrow or lose. The only way to lend the barcode decal out is to lend the entire vehicle.
What regular maintenance does the BA-220 DualBeam need?
Once installed, the only regular maintenance task is to clean the internal optics and window. The recommended interval between services is 6 months, and cleaning the BA-220 DualBeam does not require special tools. Performing the cleaning service regularly will lead to years of reliable performance from the reader.
If a reader failure does occur the bad component can be easily identified and replaced. BAI uses an advance replacement plan to get repair parts out as quickly as possible and minimize downtime.
Which side of the road should the reader be located?
This does not matter with the BA-220 DualBeam. You can mount the reader on either side of the road depending on your needs. Generally, barcode readers are used for automated identification of vehicles before they enter a parking area, school, or community. The main thing to remember is to place the decals on the same side of the vehicle that the reader is located on.
At gated communities, a number of BA-220 DualBeam readers are used for resident only access, where a special lane is dedicated for residents to enter the community. Visitors must stop at a guard station or telephone entry point and be identified before entering. Since drivers are on the left, telephone entry systems and guards are also located on the left side of the road. This means that the resident only lane with the barcode system and decals is located on the right side of the drive.