ID Tech Augusta EMV Reader Review

IDTech Augusta Features

The Augusta boasts ease of use and connects quickly to computers. It also offers both visual and audio cues to signal successful or unsuccessful transactions. The reader will last for at least 1 million magstripe swipes or 500,000 dipped EMV transactions.

If you want to mount the Augusta instead of leaving it sitting on your countertop, it has mounting holes in the same location as the previous model MiniMag II.

Security

The Augusta reader is EMV Level 1 compliant, offering end to end encryption to reduce security risks. Since EMV chip cards are encrypted at the time of dipping, they’re more secure than traditional magnetic stripe cards. 

Additionally, it’s important to note that after October 1, 2015, businesses that don’t use chip-capable readers are liable for fraudulent activity that occurs with a swiped magstripe card. If you use a virtual terminal with an attached swiper, it’s important to consider a model like the IDTech Augusta, which has EMV capabilities.

Using a Virtual Terminal

Busnesses that accept cards by phone or mail are ideal candidates for a virtual terminal, but any business that doesn’t need a customer-facing credit card machine can benefit from virtual terminals. Medical practices, gyms, and delivery businesses including flower shops often utilize virtual terminals. However, it’s important to remember that "keying in" card details (including into a virtual terminal) may be more expensive than swiping cards. 

Card swipers like the IDTech Augusta give your business the best of both worlds. You can still swipe a customer’s card to take advantage of lower swiped rates without needing to invest in the more expensive customer-facing credit card machines.