ELO Touch E500356 Magnetic Stripe Reader Black
The ELO Touch E500356 is a magnetic stripe reader accessory designed for the 1517L and 1717L touchscreen displays. This integrated reader captures card-based credentials directly at the display, eliminating separate external reader hardware and reducing cable clutter in access control, point-of-sale, and ID-verification deployments. The black finish integrates seamlessly with ELO display aesthetics, and the compact form factor mounts directly to compatible ELO hardware without additional mounting brackets or peripheral infrastructure.
Key Features
- Direct Integration: Mounts directly to ELO 1517L and 1717L displays. Eliminates external reader clutter and simplifies wiring at the point of transaction.
- Magnetic Stripe Compatibility: Reads standard ISO/IEC 7811 magnetic stripe cards — compatible with most badge programs, hotel key cards, and POS payment systems.
- Matched Aesthetics: Black finish aligns with ELO display bezels and enclosure design for a cohesive, integrated appearance.
- Compact Form Factor: Low-profile design — does not obstruct display screen or create physical obstruction in tight countertop or wall-mounted installations.
- Credential Pass-Through: Card data routes to host application or access control software via display-native communication protocols (USB or serial, depending on display revision).
- No External Power Required: Powered through display connection — does not add separate power supply requirements or UPS complexity.
The E500356 integrates credential capture into a single display unit, reducing total cost of ownership in small-to-medium retail, healthcare, or access control deployments. Instead of managing a display plus a standalone reader (two power feeds, two mounting points, two cable runs), you consolidate at one hardware footprint. This is particularly valuable in confined spaces — checkout kiosks, visitor registration stations, or badge-in gateways where real estate is premium.
Magnetic stripe reading is a mature standard. The E500356 does not perform encryption, tokenization, or PCI-DSS level data masking on its own — credential data is passed through to the host application layer. If your deployment requires PCI compliance or encrypted card handling, ensure your host software (POS, access control platform, or custom application) implements the necessary security controls. The reader itself acts as a simple input device, analogous to a keyboard.
Compatibility is confined to the 1517L and 1717L display models. These are 15-inch and 17-inch interactive display platforms from ELO's standard product family. Do not assume backward or forward compatibility with other ELO models (1515L, 1519L, 2239L, etc.) without confirming mounting geometry and connector pinout with ELO technical support or your systems integrator. Mounting brackets and connector types vary across ELO product generations.
Installation requires access to the display rear or mounting surface — your integrator will need to attach the reader bracket and route the internal connector to the designated header on the display motherboard. Detailed torque specifications, connector pinouts, and firmware prerequisites should be obtained from the display's installation guide or ELO's technical documentation for your specific hardware revision. Some deployments may require firmware updates to enable reader functionality; verify your display firmware version before installation.
Marty AllisonPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
We've deployed the E500356 in a range of retail and access control environments, and the value proposition is straightforward: when you need card input at a display-centric workflow, integrating the reader into the display itself reduces complexity and cost versus running a separate reader unit. The 1517L and 1717L are robust interactive displays, and the magnetic stripe reader is a solid commodity accessory. The real win is operational — one device to power, one cable to manage, one mounting footprint to plan around. In visitor check-in kiosks, pharmacy counter stations, and badge-gated entry touchscreens, that consolidation translates to lower integration labor and fewer failure points. That said, the E500356 is not a sophisticated card reader. It reads magnetic stripe data and passes it upstream — it does not encrypt, validate, or filter that data. Your application layer (POS software, access control platform, or custom integration) owns the security responsibility. We've seen integrators miss this and assume the reader itself provides PCI protection, which it does not. Also, magnetic stripe is increasingly vulnerable to skimming; modern retail deployments are shifting toward chip or NFC readers for credit card capture. The E500356 works well for internal badge programs and legacy systems, but if you're integrating new POS hardware, you'll likely want EMV chip or contactless NFC capability instead.
Technical Highlights:
- ISO/IEC 7811 Magnetic Stripe Standard: Reads the three-track format used in most badge, ID card, and legacy payment card programs. Card pass-through speed is standard (1–2 feet/second typical) — fast enough for real-world transaction flow without user frustration.
- Direct Display Integration: Mounts to 1517L and 1717L via dedicated connector and bracket. No external USB hub, serial port, or auxiliary power cable — cleaner installations, fewer driver conflicts.
- Passive Power Architecture: Draws power from the display's internal supply. No separate 24VDC or USB power required, reducing UPS load and simplifying electrical planning in multi-device deployments.
- Black Finish, Low Profile: Does not visually dominate the display bezel or create ergonomic interference. Integrators typically report zero user complaints about reader placement or accessibility.
Deployment Considerations:
- Confirm your ELO display model is 1517L or 1717L before purchasing — the E500356 does not fit earlier 1515L units or later 1719L/2239L displays without adapter verification from ELO.
- Magnetic stripe reading is vulnerable to skimming and does not encrypt card data in transit. If handling payment cards, ensure your host application implements PCI-DSS encryption and tokenization — the reader alone does not satisfy compliance requirements.
- Display firmware version may affect reader functionality. Check your display's current firmware revision and ELO's release notes for E500356 support before installation; some older firmware revisions may require updates.
- Connector pinout and mounting bracket geometry are display-revision-specific. Consult the display's installation manual or contact ELO support for exact mounting details — visual similarity between display models does not guarantee physical compatibility.
- For access control or visitor badge programs, the E500356 is a solid, mature choice; for new POS or payment deployments, evaluate chip (EMV) or NFC readers as alternatives, as magnetic stripe is increasingly deprecated in retail and hospitality sectors.
The E500356 is well-suited for integrators deploying ELO 1517L or 1717L displays in physical access control, visitor registration, or retail workflows where badge or legacy card authentication is the requirement. If you're standardizing on ELO display hardware and need card input at the point of interaction, this reader eliminates the complexity of external peripherals. Explore the full ELO Touch catalog for compatible display models and complementary accessories.
