Reader BT

Reader BT is a new generation SPORTident device designed to read data from SI-Cards to a wirelessly connected device such as a laptop or mobile phone. Reader BT uses Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE) radio communication and therefore requires BLE support, which most devices have today. On older laptops or desktop computers that do not have BLE support, it can be added using a USB Bluetooth adapter dongle. BLE is supported by all common operating systems and does not require separate drivers. Thus, Reader BT can be used with Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux devices. The application software used must support BLE and the Reader BT data exchange protocol.

Reader BT can also be used separately without an actively connected user device to collect data from SI-Cards. In this case, read out cards are stored in the backup memory and can be retrieved at a later point in time with an application software.

Reader BT comes in a carbon black BSF-9 housing. Existing BSF-9 holders can be used to mount the station.

Supported cards

The SPORTident Reader BT supports the following SPORTident cards:

• SIAC
• SI-Card8
• SI-Card9
• SI-Card10
• SI-Card11
• SI-pCard
• ComCard Up / ComCard Pro

Caution

Older generation SI-Cards (SI-Card5 and SI-Card6) are no longer supported.

Feedback

Reader BT has two LEDs and a buzzer. The yellow LED on the right communicates events whereas the red LED on the left communicates the connection status. The yellow LED is synchronised with the buzzer, i.e. they always flash and beep at the same time.

Event feedback:

• Two short flashes & beeps: OK
• Four short flashes & beeps: Error
• One long flash & beep: Connection established
• Two long flahses & beeps: Connection terminated

How exactly event feedback is given depends on the device status and on the application sofware used.

Connection feedback:

• Flashing with 1-second intervals: Advertising / connecting
• Flashing with 7-second intervals: Connected

Connect to a printer

Reader BT can print directly to a SPORTident Printer 2.

Note that SPORTident Printer (version 1) will not work. The version of the printer can be identified by the product name on the backside label.

Note

A new generation instruction card “Service/OFF” and instruction card “Print results” is required to connect to the printer. The new generation cards have labels with a purple background, whereas the old generation instruction cards have labels with a white background. Reader BT comes bundled with usable “Service/OFF” and “Print results” instruction cards.

To establish a connection between Reader BT and SPORTident Printer 2:

1. Place Reader BT directly to the right of Printer 2
2. Switch on the printer
3. Insert the “Print results” instruction card into Reader BT once. The printer will print the SPORTident logo to confirm the successful connection.

You can now read out SPORTident Cards by inserting them into Reader BT. The printer prints the details of the cards.

You can insert the “Print results” instruction card and the printer will print basic results with automatic course matching for all SPORTident Cards read out in the active sessions (i.e. since connecting to the printer).

To disconnect Reader BT and SPORTident Printer 2, switch off the printer or, alternatively, insert the “Service/OFF” instruction card into Reader BT.

Connect to your device

Note

A new generation instruction card “Service/OFF” (with a label with a purple background) is required to manage the device.

Reader BT connects wirelessly via Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE). To establish a connection:

1. Enable Bluetooth on your device (Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, or Linux).
2. Open your application software that supports BLE connectivity.
3. Activate BLE advertisement on Reader BT with the “Service/OFF” instruction card: Insert the card into Reader BT. The red LED then flashes at 1-second intervals for 20 seconds.
4. Search for available devices in the application software’s Bluetooth scanning function.
5. Select “Reader BT” from the list of discovered devices. The shown name includes the Reader BT serial number so you can pick the correct unit.
6. Confirm connection. Once connected, the red LED starts flashing at 7-second intervals.

To disconnect Reader BT from your device, insert the “Service/OFF” instruction card into Reader BT or use the appropriate function in the application software’s connection settings. Reader BT disconnects automatically after 10 hours of inactivity to preserve battery life.

Configuration

Reader BT can be configured with the Config App (version 1.9 or newer), which is available for Android and iOS.

To connect Reader BT to the config app, follow Connect Reader BT to your device. On the Config App connection page, start scanning and select your Reader BT from the list.

Note

Currently, Reader BT cannot be configured with Config+ on a PC. Only Android and iOS devices are supported.

Reader BT cannot be used to configure other SPORTident stations via a coupling stick and Config+‘s remote mode.

Settings

The Settings page displays device information and allows you to change the following settings:

• Code number: device identification number, which is sent to the application software when reading data from the card
• Auto Card Readout
  • Enabled: Automatically read the complete card data when a card is detected. The data is stored in Reader BT’s backup memory and sent over BLE (if connected).
  • Disabled: Reader BT only sends a card-in event to the application software (if connected). The application software must then trigger a full card readout.

Readout

By selecting the Readout page, you can read data from SI-Cards. If Full Readout is selected, in addition to the punches, the card owner information and production information (if available) are read. The read data is displayed on this page.

Backup memory

The data of the read cards is always saved in the backup memory by sessions. Each new connection creates a new session. The Backup Memory page displays the sessions by pages (5 sessions at a time). The latest sessions are at the top and the latest session is the currently active session. To view session data:

1. Select a session from the list
2. Tap Fetch Selected Session
3. After successful download, tap View Session Data to see the card list

Firmware

The firmware page allows you to update the device’s firmware. By opening this page, you can check if there is a newer firmware version. If there is a newer version, you can download it and update the Reader BT firmware. After updating the firmware, the device will restart and must be reconnected. Do not switch pages or close the app during the update.

Caution

When updating the firmware, the backup memory is cleared.

Specification

Property	Details
Battery type	1 x Lithium ½ AA cell, non-rechargeable
Battery capacity	1000 mAh
Battery life	Typically 10 years
Battery exchange	By SPORTident GmbH and authorized service points
Operating range	-20°C to +50°C
International protection class	IP 64 (DIN EN 60529) Protection against penetration of dust Protection against splashed water from all directions
Dimensions	112 mm x 57 mm x 21 mm
Weight	85 g
Backup memory	3 MB Up to 2,500 readouts for full cards (128 punches per card, full card data) Up to 18,000 readouts for typical cards (20 punches per card, minimal card data) Maximum of 291 sessions, old sessions will be overwritten when full
RFID	125 kHz RFID system, low power output
Connectivity	Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) 5.2

Firmware Changelog

1.1.1 (2026-08-21)

• Improved Reader BT buzzer and LED feedback signals (e.g., indicating Bluetooth connection and disconnection).
• Fix: Reader BT could not connect to SPORTident printers with firmware revision date 11-Sep-2024.

1.1.0 (2026-06-24)

Important: After installing this update, all backup session data will be erased.

• Added ability to print “Results” using the “Print Results” card when SI Reader BT is connected to the SI Printer 2
• Improved performance of card readout printing when SI Reader BT is connected to the printer
• Resolved LF125 read hangs by implementing a supervisor timer with error feedback on timeout
• Added LF Interface testing support for production
• Enhanced SI Reader BT feedback signals

1.0.1 (2026-05-15)