With the various sorts of charge card readers available nowadays, it’s really a nearly Herculean task to find out which kind suits your company. You will find such a great deal of things to consider – will the card readers accept contactless payments, could it be EMV compatible, will it take gift certificates, could it be portable, how good will it print receipts – it’s no question that lots of business proprietors end up battling when the time comes to buy new hardware. It’s enough to create anybody’s mind spin!
Have no fear, though. I (along with the other authors and reviewers on Merchant Maverick) make it an individual mission to provide you with the various tools you have to make informed decisions regarding your business. Because of this, I purchased probably the most popular card readers around – the VeriFone VX520 – and required a tough consider the basics. I examined from packaging to product specs to testimonials. If you wish to know what to anticipate once you order a VX520, you’re fortunate, my pal. Continue reading to see things i discovered.
Packaging
 
I purchased my VX 520 from Amazon . com, despite the fact that it required a long time to obtain here (there’s been a higher demand this month for EMV-capable card readers instead of the current liability shift), it showed up in excellent shape. Every element was well packed, paid by bubble-wrap or plastic, and also the set-up instructions were nicely folded on top of this area.
I had been fairly apprehensive before receiving this specific card readers, because there were some real horror tales concerning the VX520 around the Amazon . com site. Actually, multiple customers complained these were sent outdated, non-EMV capable types of the credit card readers, readers that were used and refurbished, or readers which were not really able to NFC transactions. Consequently, I had been unsure things i would find after i opened up in the package. However, to my relief, the readers I acquired was clearly brand-new and EMV enabled. All the associated parts (the ability cables, the receipt paper, and also the phone cord) were also new and untouched. Actually, thinking about the amount of negative reviews around the Amazon . com site, I’m unsure basically just got lucky through getting a non-lemon or maybe service has become better lately. In either case, regardless of whether you’re ordering from Amazon . com or any other site, be cautious whenever you receive your card readers. Check it for indications of previous use, and be sure right from the start that the constituents work nicely.
What’s Within the Box?
- VeriFone VX520 Dual Comm (M252-753-03-NAA-3) charge card terminal
- Power
- Roll of paper
- Phone cord
- Twelve months manufacturer warranty
Specs
Cost: $180-$300 (based on where/from that you purchase)
Processor: 400 MHz ARM11 32-bit RISC processor
Memory: 160MB (128MB Flash, 32MB SDRAM)
Display: 128吼 pixel graphical white-colored backlit LCD
Connectivity: Dial Ethernet
Printer: 24 lps Standard: 49mm paper roll Contactless: 40mm paper roll
Card Readers: Triple Track MSR
Contactless: ISO18092 supports major NFC/contactless schemes
Peripheral Ports: One Ethernet one telco one RS-232 port one USB 2. Host port one USB Client port
Security: PCI PTS 3.X approved
Power: 8V Electricity, 2.25A or optional 9V Electricity, 4A
Ecological: 0º to 50º C (32º to 122º F) operating temperature. -20º to 60º C (-4º to 140º F) storing temperature. 5% to 90% relative humidity, non-condensing
Physical Dimensions: 203mm L x 78mm W x 87mm H 500g weight
Set-Up
The instructional diagram that included the VX520 is rather straightforward.
You may also read a useful reference guide that will help you with set-up instructions and finest practices, but there’s not really much to understand, fortunately. Obtaining the readers prepared to run includes plugging inside a couple of cords, feeding inside a roll of receipt paper, and installing information out of your merchant services provider. This isn’t brain surgery.
First Impressions
The VeriFone VX520 looks just like almost every other standard card readers you seen, although it sticks out somewhat because of its compact, portable design and ATM-style interface. Additionally, the VX520 is distinguished with a large, high contrast screen that has an 8-line by 21-character display. I discovered myself suddenly astounded by the dimensions, brightness, and readability from the display. This readers can endure the earliest or most near-sighted of the clientele, quite simply. And also the display isn’t the only element of the readers that’s backlit for max visibility. The keypad also features large figures and it is backlit in blue, in order to function easily in the dimmest of settings (or most atmospheric of restaurants). I personally don’t like low light environments – no candle-lit eateries for me personally, should you please – but I needed to admit the display and keypad about this readers were greater than a match for any dark locale.
 
The VX520 is EMV-ready, meaning with the ability to process nick cards (either nick-and-pin or nick-and-signature) in addition to standard magstripe cards. EMV compliance hasn’t been a problem within the U . s . States until lately, as a result of liability shift which happened October first, 2015. Now, retailers who’ve not upgraded their hardware have the effect of fraud that may have been avoided by devices that may read nick cards. What this means is potentially huge financial losses for companies with outdated card readers, and makes the truth that the VX520 is EMV-ready that rather more significant.
There’s a slot towards the bottom from the VX520 where nick cards could be “dipped” – placed half means by the slot and held there throughout the transaction. Nick cards, in addition to regular old magstripe cards, may also be swiped across the right fringe of the credit card readers. “Dipping” is really a relatively recent procedure within the U.S., so most new charge cards (additionally to getting a micro-processor embedded for nick-and-PIN or nick-and-signature transactions) may also be outfitted having a magstripe. It might appear counterproductive to provide both options at any given time when everybody is actually attempting to push the convenience and security of nick cards, however the liability shift only has experienced effect a short while swiping is really ingrained within our culture that it’ll take a moment for card dipping to get standard.
 
Evidently, this readers also offers integrated NFC (near field communication) abilities which support alternative payment methods (contactless payments like Apple Pay, PayPal, Android Pay, etc.) in addition to loyalty card/gift certificate acceptance. However, based on VeriFone’s official data sheet around the product, NFC capacity is just optional. When I pointed out above, there are many online complaints from individuals who bought the VX520 expecting so that you can process contactless payments, only to obtain their hopes dashed. Should you choose end up buying this card readers, I suggest that you simply communicate carefully together with your dealer to make certain the model you’re getting can really try everything you’re planning on do.
VeriFone claims the VX520 is amazingly fast, in a position to manage processing, file encryption, and understanding and processing at amazing speeds “thanks to the effective processor and expanding memory.” Much more importantly, possibly, is always that we have an optional battery which enables you to definitely go wherever you have to go, within reason. As lengthy as you’ve an electrical source, the purpose of payment could be virtually any place in your store. Thankfully, additionally to merely being portable, the VX520 is lightweight and fits easily within the hands, therefore it’s practical to hold around too.
The final aspect I wish to mention may be the paper door, which appears sturdy and well-crafted. It’s transparent, that is nice, because it enables you to view precisely how have less receipt paper you’re really, also it opens and shuts rapidly and with little wasted movement. It’s efficient, quite simply.
Final Ideas around the VeriFone VX520
Generally, I believe this is a great product: easy to use, portable, readable, capable to process both magstripe and nick charge cards. The VeriFone VX520 appears like an excellent card readers, seems like an excellent card readers, and – typically –Â operates just like a great card readers. I counsel you to definitely continue but be careful, though, particularly if you’re searching for something which can process contactless or NFC payments. The only real tip I’m able to provide you with with that front will be smart. Research your options before purchasing. It’s really about research, in the end. Speak with the vendor, and also to your credit card merchant account provider, to make certain the VX520 can definitely perform all of the functions your company requires.
Are you currently considering obtaining a VeriFone VX520? Do you have one? We’d like to hear your ideas concerning the product within the comments section below.
The publish VeriFone VX520 Charge Card Readers Unboxing and Review made an appearance first on Merchant Maverick.
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