Ferret
Halo Microchip Scanner — Rechargeable Pet Chip Reader (135×33mm)
Reviews
4.1/ 5
- 5 stars 5
- 4 stars 0
- 3 stars 1
- 2 stars 0
- 1 star 1
- Brand
- Pet Technology
Product description
The Halo microchip scanner is a handheld reader designed to identify implanted animal microchips. It supports FDX‑B (15‑digit) and FDX‑A (10‑digit) formats in line with ISO 11784 and ISO 11785 standards, and is compatible with Scanner Angel systems. The unit can display chip numbers on its screen, store a history of scans, and — when used with compatible databases/software — indicate if a scanned number has been flagged as missing.
The kit includes one Halo scanner, a USB lead for charging the internal rechargeable battery, and a CD containing drivers and the Scanner Angel® software. The housing is molded from impact‑resistant ABS‑style plastic with a compact footprint of approximately 135 mm diameter by 33 mm thickness, an easy‑to‑hold profile, and a clear display for reading IDs. Charging is done by plugging the supplied cable into a PC or USB power source; the scanner stores scans locally for later transfer to a computer.
To use, press the activation button and sweep the reader over the area where a chip is implanted (typically behind the neck for cats and dogs, or the neck/near the nuchal ligament for horses). The screen will show the detected chip number and, if the implanted transponder includes biometric data, that information will appear as well. The included software allows installation of drivers, manages scan logs, and connects to third‑party services like Scanner Angel for alerting and database checks.
Pros
- Reads ISO FDX‑B and FDX‑A microchips
- USB‑rechargeable and portable
- Includes software and scan history capability
Cons
- May not detect every legacy chip format
- Software and downloads feel dated
- Display lacks backlighting
VerdictA lightweight, USB‑rechargeable microchip reader that covers the common ISO FDX‑B and FDX‑A standards and ships with software to manage scans. It’s practical for shelters, rescues and owners who need a portable scanner, though some legacy chip formats and the bundled software experience can be hit-or-miss.
Reviews
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Melissa lugo 5/5
Essential for rescue teams
This compact scanner has helped our rescue reunite many dogs with their owners. It's light, simple to operate and consistently accurate when I test it. Fits in my glove box so it's always with us on outreach.
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Justin Brozanski 5/5
Does what we need at the shelter
Simple and effective—performs as expected for our intake and adoption checks.
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HorseGirl 5/5
Also useful for horses
Handy for equine ID as well as pets — many registries now require chips and this reader shows the chip number quickly. It will also display temperature/biometric data if the transponder supports it, which is handy for health checks.
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Jeff 3/5
Solid hardware, rougher software
The unit is fast, accurate and easy to grip, with a clear screen. Downsides: no backlight, an older charging connector and confusing software/versioning on the download site. The 'alert if lost' feature requires the external Scanner Angel service, so results depend on that.
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Clarence Oddbody 5/5
Reliable for feral and lost cats
I work with stray cats and this finds implanted chips with minimal fuss. It has reported temperature from compatible chips, holds a charge for a long time, and has never failed in over a year of regular use.
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Steven 5/5
Affordable multi‑format reader with PC tools
Cheapest unit I found that handles multiple chip types and offers PC software. It scans 134 kHz FDX‑B (15‑digit), 125 kHz FDX‑A (10‑digit), EM4102 and some AVID 9‑digit tags, stores entries in history, and beeps when it finds a tag.
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C. A. Jones 1/5
Failed to read some 10‑digit tags
Although the spec lists FDX‑A 10‑digit support, two of my 10‑digit cat tags were not detected while the 15‑digit tags scanned fine. Other scanners read those tags, so results may vary by unit or tag type.
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