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Complete Guide: Setting up an EID reader for the LAMB app

This guide gives detailed, step-by-step instructions for configuring the three most common EID reader models (Tru-Test SRS2/XRS2, the white Dyrfinna/H20-AS reader, and Gallagher HR4/HR5) so they work correctly and smoothly when registering animals in the LAMB app.

1. Tru-Test SRS2 / XRS2 Readers

Tru-Test sticks are extremely common. The most common mistake is having them set to "keyboard" mode (HID), which makes them send control characters that the LAMB app doesn't understand.

Step 1: Bluetooth connection (key step)

  1. Turn on the stick, press Menu, and go to Settings > Bluetooth.
  2. Bluetooth Mode: Change this from HID or Keyboard to App.
  3. Why? In App mode the stick sends clean, unmodified lines instead of trying to "type" into the phone, which prevents extra letters and spaces from corrupting the entry.
  4. Find your phone in the list on the screen and select Connect.

Step 2: Number formatting (Data Options)

Go to Settings > Data Options (or Tag Formatting):

  • EID Format: Set to Decimal (never use ISO — it drags along the animal species/category code).
  • Country Code: Set to Show (so the 937 country code always comes through).
  • Tag Number Delimiter:
  • If the LAMB app should receive a continuous number: set to None.
  • If the LAMB app requires a space after the first 3 digits: set to Space.

Common problems & fixes (Tru-Test)

  • The stick dumps old numbers every time it reconnects: Tru-Test automatically tries to sync an open folder (Session).
  • Press the Folder button on the left side of the stick (or go to the menu under Sessions).
  • Select New Session to start with a blank slate.
  • Make sure that under Settings > Scanning, Continuous Scan is set to Off so the device reads only once per press of the green trigger.

2. White EID Scanner (Dyrfinna / H20-AS)

This reader is simpler in design but can cause serious trouble if left on factory settings, since it often displays and sends both the decimal number and the hexadecimal number at once.

Step 1: Bluetooth Mode (SPP Mode)

  1. Press and hold the center button to open the Menu.
  2. Go to Bluetooth > BT Mode.
  3. Change this to SPP Mode (Serial Port Profile).
  4. Important: If a blue icon that looks like a computer monitor is shown at the top of the screen, the device is in USB mode. Scroll up to Pair in this menu and press the center button; the icon then changes to blinking Bluetooth arrows and the device becomes visible to the LAMB app.

Step 2: Cleaning up the data format (Data Settings)

Go to Data Settings in the menu and change the following:

  • Decmode: Make sure this is selected (shows the 15-digit number).
  • Output Mode: Set to Decimal only. (If it says Both or Hex+Dec, the reader sends two lines with different numbers for every animal, which breaks the LAMB app.)
  • TimePrefix / TimeSuffix: Set to OFF (if this is ON, the device sends the time stamp along with the number).
  • Prefix / Suffix: Set to None.
  • Mark / Delimiter:
  • Set to None for a continuous number.
  • Set to Space if you want to force a space after the first 3 digits.

Common problems & fixes (white reader)

  • The reader dumps a pile of old scans: the white scanner has built-in memory that doesn't clear itself automatically.
  • Go to Data Settings > Clear History (or Data Clear) and select Yes before starting work in a new pen.

3. Gallagher HR4 / HR5 Readers

Gallagher HR sticks are powerful devices but complex to set up, since they offer many different communication modes. If set up incorrectly, they inject letters (e.g. "LA") or entire lists of numbers.

Step 1: Settings on the stick itself (Tag Setup)

  1. Go to the Main Menu on the screen.
  2. Select the TAG icon (top left).
  3. Change the EID or VID line from VID to EID.
  4. Note: If the highest "Digits" setting is 10, the stick is still in VID mode. Switching to EID automatically locks the device to the 15-digit EID.
  5. Make sure the Tag Prefix field is completely empty (delete anything written there).

Step 2: Settings in the Gallagher Animal Performance app (Configure)

Many Gallagher sticks send data through their own app and on to the LAMB app. In the Configure menu, the layout needs to be set exactly like this:

  • Initial Character: Select None (critically important to get rid of the letter "L" or "LA" in front of the number).
  • Tag Type ID: Select None (prevents Allflex or Tiris tags from being appended).
  • Tag Field Delimiter:
  • If the LAMB app should receive a continuous number: select None (937000004084450).
  • If the LAMB app requires a space after the country code: select Space (937 000004084450).
  • Leading Zero: Select Yes.
  • Remember to tap the checkmark in the top right corner to save.

Common problems & fixes (Gallagher)

  • The Bluetooth menu is locked (only shows <none> or Bluetooth): the device doesn't allow Bluetooth mode changes while connected to the phone. Go to the Bluetooth menu on the stick, select the phone, and press Drop (bottom left), or turn off Bluetooth on the phone while making deeper changes.
  • The device sends a "flood" or "pile" of many numbers: the stick is trying to send its entire list (its whole memory).
  • Go to Settings (the gear icon) > Cont. Mode and change it to Off.
  • On the main menu, press the icon with documents and a plus sign (+) to create a New Session. The list is then empty and the stick only sends the animal that is scanned right NOW.

4. The golden rule for troubleshooting (all readers)

If the reader is still sending "wrong" numbers or doing nothing at all, follow this process to find the culprit:

  1. Test in a notes app: open any text editor on your phone (Notes, a browser, or a Google search box) and place the cursor there. Then scan a tag with the reader.
  2. Result A: if the number appears perfectly correctly in the text (e.g. 937000... or 937 000... with no letters), the reader's settings are correct. The problem lies in the pairing or in the settings inside the LAMB app itself.
  3. Result B: if the number comes in with letters (LA, L), dumps multiple lines, or shows strange characters, that confirms you need to change the Prefix/Bluetooth Mode on the reader itself, following the instructions above.
  4. Space or no space?: if the LAMB app gives the error "Invalid number" or won't let you tap REGISTER, it's 99% likely that the app does not want the space. Go into the reader's settings and change the Delimiter/Mark from Space to None.