Great for hard tags, not so great for soft tags!

More and more EAS manufacturers are promoting 8.2MHz transceivers that can detect both hard and soft tags. They claim these systems are do-it-yourself, plug-and-play systems. Yes, transceivers are almost fool proof and yes, they are less expensive than the two-pillar systems, but will they perform as expected? In most cases the answer is NO!

If you expect to get the same detection results for both hard and soft tags, you are mistaken! The fact is that the detection of hard tags and soft tags is not equal. All EAS systems detect hard tags with excellent results, but soft tags are a challenge to detect. Many manufacturers promote that their detection range of these 8.2 MHz transceivers as approximately 36” on either side of the pillar. This claim is based on hard tags, and the larger the tag - - the better the detection. What they don’t say is that these systems will only detect soft tags at 18 to 24” either side of the transceiver.

As a retailer, you must realize that using soft tags with an 8.2 MHz transceiver, your detection range is reduced by one-third. Thieves know this and will “skirt” the system, easily leaving a big hole in your protection.

8.2 MHz Transceivers - bottom line

If you are using only hard tags, transceivers will do an excellent job. If you need to use both hard tags and soft tags, the two-pillar system is the right choice in the war against shoplifting. Selecting the right EAS system, enhances your loss prevention program and improves your profits.

close window