The Nordic ID Stix is an ultra-portable $300 USB dongle scanner. Compare its limited range and strict OS requirements to Nextwaves autonomic endpoints.
Technical Specifications
Hardware Overview
The Nordic ID Stix is an industrial-grade RFID device. It operates within the 865-868 MHz (EU) / 902-928 MHz (US) range and supports the EPC Class 1 Gen 2 standard, making it widely deployed across enterprise logistics applications.
With an IP rating of indoor rating, it offers protection against specific environmental conditions typical in warehouses or retail backrooms. The reader utilizes USB Bus Power for continuous performance, while its stated maximum read rate peaks at low speed short range.
Connectivity and Network Integration
In modern deployments, network integration is the most significant hurdle. This model offers USB 2.0 Dongle options for transferring data back to central systems.
However, a major bottleneck with legacy Nordic ID hardware is the heavy reliance on proprietary SDKs (like LLRP) or expensive third-party IoT middleware to process raw tag data into meaningful business intelligence.
The Nextwaves Alternative
If your engineering team is evaluating the Nordic ID Stix, the Nextwaves NR155 presents a vastly superior cloud-native architecture. Legacy systems inherently drive high capital expenditure through vendor lock-in and proprietary software ecosystems.
Nextwaves completely eliminates this barrier by providing a standard MQTT REST API directly on the device. Your software developers can integrate tag reading directly into your custom ERP or WMS backend in days instead of months, completely bypassing recurring middleware licensing fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Stix?
The Nordic ID Stix is arguably the smallest UHF RFID reader available. Fitting the form factor of a USB thumb-drive, it translates EPC Class 1 Gen 2 data across the 865-868 MHz (EU) / 902-928 MHz (US) bands for simple PC-based encoding tasks.
How much does this setup cost initially?
Priced around $300, it represents the absolute baseline in RFID hardware. Because it siphons USB Bus Power, it requires zero external integration hardware other than a supported laptop or tablet running host daemon logic.
Why should I choose Nextwaves instead?
Nextwaves hardware endpoints operate entirely autonomously. Unlike the Stix, which requires a live localized PC to execute code, Nextwaves processors bridge logic autonomously over secure HTTP without host dependence.
Is the hardware durable enough for warehouses?
The minuscule plastic stick weighs just 22 g with dimensions checking in at a tiny 53 x 79 x 7 mm. Functioning under an indoor rating footprint, it is inherently vulnerable to physical snapping, liquids, and extreme temperatures.
Does it support multiple network types?
Its sole data path is the physical USB 2.0 Dongle slot. There is no integrated Wi-Fi or Bluetooth; it relies completely on the security software of the laptop it is plugged into for enterprise routing safety.
Can my team install this internally?
Integration demands running Nordic ID SDK drivers on the host computer. Unlike keyboard emulation wedges, developers must write listener scripts locally to pull data strings from the USB wrapper.
How does the remote management work?
Operating at extremely low wattage, it registers low speed short range captures. The device requires physical firmware patching through Nordic's configuration utilities and cannot receive silent OTA upgrades.
Do I need proprietary software to run it?
A complete system hinges on developers architecting proprietary bridging software to intercept reads from the USB 2.0 Dongle serial path and formatting them rapidly into REST calls directed at your cloud network.
What warranty comes with the reader?
The basic USB hardware carries a standard one-year warranty. The form factor is inherently fragile, making physical destruction equally likely as standard semiconductor defects during regular handling.
Are the antennas sold separately?
A microscopic antenna is layered across the PCB, tuned to 865-868 MHz (EU) / 902-928 MHz (US) variations. Total read range is intentionally crippled to roughly 1 meter maximum, preventing crosstalk interference.