Gallagher HR5 v3 EID Stick Reader – Handheld, Pedigree & Breeding Records

Gallagher EID HR readers are built to read ISO-compliant HDX and FDX-B RFID tags functioning at 134.2 kHz, including:

• Cattle EID tags
• Sheep and goat EID tags
• The majority of government-approved livestock tags in the UK, EU, NZ, and AU

Cattle ear tags can be read from a greater distance compared to sheep tags. The reading range varies based on the size of the tag, its orientation, and movement. Gallagher HR readers are recognized for their quick detection and reliable reading capabilities, even in busy environments such as raceways and crushes.

Yes—this is a common point of clarification. Gallagher HR readers:

• Can store thousands of tag reads internally
• Operate completely offline in yards, fields, and remote areas
  

Data can be synced later via Bluetooth or USB when connected to:

• Gallagher Animal Performance software
• Gallagher mobile applications
• Compatible third-party farm management software
  

Gallagher EID HR readers (HR4/HR5) are built to operate with a variety of mobile devices, PCs, Gallagher weighing equipment, and (through export/integration) third-party livestock software. Below is a detailed overview of compatibility and connection methods.

1) Mobile devices (phones & tablets)
✅ iPhone / iPad (iOS)

Gallagher’s Animal Performance app is available on the Apple App Store, making HR readers that link to the app compatible with iOS devices.

For HR4/HR5, Gallagher’s process is: HR reader ↔ smartphone app ↔ web account (cloud sync).

Data transfer from HR5 to the mobile app typically uses the reader’s Wi-Fi mode (reader becomes discoverable; phone connects via Wi-Fi; app downloads sessions).

✅ Android phones & tablets

The Animal Performance app is also accessible on Google Play, so Android devices are supported.
HR4/HR5 connect to the phone app and then sync with the web account, similar to iOS.

Note: Connection methods may differ by model/version (Bluetooth vs Wi-Fi), and some third-party apps note model-specific limitations.

2) Computers (PC / laptop)
✅ Gallagher Animal Performance (web dashboard)

Gallagher offers an Animal Performance web account that devices sync to (the quick start guide covers logging in/creating an account and syncing).
✅ Windows PC (important for firmware/software updates)

The Gallagher HR handheld reader updater runs on Windows PCs (via USB) and requires an HR reader with built-in Wi-Fi for newer software.

3) Gallagher weighing hardware & on-farm devices
✅ Gallagher weigh scales / weigh heads (TW / TWR series, etc.)

Gallagher’s Animal Performance workflow includes syncing TW/TWR weigh scale data to the web account over Wi-Fi and then syncing to the phone app.
Gallagher’s Animal Performance “Every Day” product supports all Gallagher weigh scales (except W-0) and allows exporting session records as CSV.

4) Software compatibility (Gallagher + third-party)

• Gallagher software (native ecosystem)
• Gallagher Animal Performance (mobile + web):
  
  Mobile app on iOS/Android.
  HR4/HR5 connect to the phone and sync to the web account.
  Sessions can be transferred between HR and phone; draft/sort lists can be uploaded back to the HR.
  Sessions can be shared/exported as CSV to other apps.
  
  Third-party livestock software (examples) Many farm management platforms accept HR data either by:
  
  Direct connection (if they have an integration), or Importing CSV exports from Gallagher sessions.

Two examples of third-party integration guidance:

• Herdwatch provides instructions for HR4/HR5 connection via Wi-Fi, noting device-specific behavior in their setup notes.
• AgriWebb documents HR4/HR5 connection methods, explaining differences in Bluetooth/Wi-Fi hotspot behavior by model and device OS.

We cannot specify that an HR handheld EID reader’s battery “lasts X hours” because the runtime greatly depends on how the reader is used (such as continuous scanning versus intermittent reads, screen backlight usage, wireless on/off, temperature, battery age, and more).

What we can provide is information about charging time and power-saving features, which help you plan daily use based on your settings and usage.

1) Power saving (extends battery life) - The HR5 automatically powers down after 30 minutes of inactivity to conserve battery.

2) Charging time (time to full charge) - HR4: Charging the battery fully from mains power takes about 8 hours, and we recommend charging overnight before the first use.

Reasons why battery life varies significantly (main factors):

Continuous reading and scanning – Features like continuous read on HR readers keep the device transmitting longer, increasing power consumption. The HR4 has a user setting to turn continuous read on or off.

Screen backlight – The HR4 includes a backlight setting with a timeout (e.g., “On (5 minutes) / Off”), which is a common cause of battery drain on handheld devices.
Wireless use (Bluetooth/Wi-Fi) – HR readers support wireless functions, and manuals explain wireless configuration. Leaving wireless active when not needed reduces runtime.

Temperature (real-world conditions) – Charging is specified within certain ambient temperature ranges (e.g., HR4: 0°–45°C). Extreme temperatures can decrease both runtime and charging efficiency.

Practical guidance for planning your day:

• Assume “all-day” operation depends on your settings and workload rather than a fixed number of hours.
• Charge overnight (HR4 recommendation) and recharge whenever convenient.
• Use battery status icons and auto power-down features to manage usage throughout the day.

Tips to maximise runtime (adjustable settings):

• Turn off Continuous Read unless necessary.
• Reduce backlight timeout or turn it off in bright outdoor environments.
• Disable wireless when not actively transferring data.
• Allow the reader to auto power down instead of leaving it awake between tasks (HR5 powers down after 30 minutes of inactivity).