Gallagher’s handheld EID readers include the HR-4, HR-5, and HR-5 v3, along with situations where the BR Controller is used as an EID reader.
These devices are designed to be portable, allowing users to read electronic identification tags directly in yards, races, or crushes.
Although they share a common purpose, their connection methods and behaviour vary between models, particularly across Bluetooth, Wi-Fi hotspot, and BLE support.
HR4
The HR‑4 is an earlier-generation handheld reader that typically connects to the app using
Bluetooth (or a Wi‑Fi hotspot)* generated by the device.**
*Wi-Fi connection is possible, but not recommended using the onboard hotspot capabilities of the HRx devices. Use an external access point.
**Bluetooth connections for the HR-4 can be made on Android devices only.
To Connect:
On the stick reader, from the Main Menu screen, use the arrow keys to select the Wireless icon and press OK.
The Wireless screen will display, showing the last known connection on as either Bluetooth (default for first time connections) or WiFi.
To change the type of communication, select the field where Bluetooth or WiFi is displayed and press OK.
Use the arrow keys to change the communication type and press OK.
The connection status will change to ‘Discoverable’ mode. The reader can now be searched for and found by other devices.
Switch to mobile device.
For Bluetooth Connections (Android Only):
Open the Bluetooth settings on your device and connect directly to the HR‑4.
Once connected, open the AgriWebb App -> Menu -> Hardware Connections.
The HR‑4 should automatically appear and can be selected to complete the connection.
For WiFi Connections (not recommended):
Open the WiFi settings on your device and connect directly to the HR‑4.
Once connected, open the AgriWebb App -> Menu -> Hardware Connections.
The HR‑4 should automatically appear and can be selected to complete the connection.
To Troubleshoot:
If connecting via WiFi (not recommended) and the device does not appear under the Hardware Connections page automatically, it can be manually selected.
Tap on the green ‘Connect a new device’ bar at the bottom of the Hardware Connections page in the AgriWebb App
Select Gallagher HR4 or HR5.
Enter the IP address of the EID reader.
To find this IP address, go to the list of WiFi connections on your mobile device settings and select the 'i' next to the reader's network. The IP address is listed here and is a combination of numbers and letters. The mobile app needs the IPv4 address.
Press Save.
Restart the HR-4 and reconnect.
If connecting via WiFi (not recommended), hotspots can be disrupted by mobile data services, ensure that mobile data is switched off.
Ensure the firmware is updated to at least version 2.0
To check this, head to the ‘i’ button -> ‘About’ -> ‘App’ number is the version.
If the device needs to be updated you can do so here -> https://am.gallagher.com/en-AU/Support/Software
If problems persist, the Gallagher Animal Data Transfer app can be used to confirm that the reader is functioning correctly.
Download the Gallagher Transfer App from the App store and attempt to connect to the device from there.
If a connection is made, Engineering will need to be notified that a connection cannot be made to AgriWebb directly.
TO NOTE:
If the Gallagher Animal Performance app has previously been connected to the hardware and running on your mobile or tablet in the background, it will block the mobile app’s connection. Please fully close the Gallagher app and attempt the connection between the mobile app and hardware again.
To Close the App:
Android - tap on the app switcher icon (|||) and swipe the app away again.
HR5
The HR‑5 standard model behaves very similarly to the HR‑4.
It supports Bluetooth and Wi‑Fi hotspot connections* and follows the same workflow for pairing to the app**.
*Wi-Fi connection is possible, but not recommended using the onboard hotspot capabilities of the HRx devices. Use an external access point.
**Bluetooth connections for the HR-5 can be made on Android devices only.
To connect:
On the stick reader, from the Main Menu screen, use the arrow keys to select the Wireless icon and press OK.
The Wireless screen will display, showing the last known connection on as either Bluetooth (default for first time connections).
To change the type of communication, select the field where Bluetooth or WiFi is displayed and press OK.
Use the arrow keys to change the communication type and press OK.
The connection status and device table display and the connection status changes to ‘Discoverable’ mode. The reader can now be searched for and found by other devices .
Switch to mobile device.
For Bluetooth Connections (Android Only):
Open the Bluetooth settings and connect directly to the HR‑5.
Once connected, open the AgriWebb App -> Menu -> Hardware Connections.
The HR‑5 should automatically appear and can be selected to complete the connection.
For WiFi Connections (not recommended):
Open the WiFi settings on your device and connect directly to the HR‑5.
Once connected, open the AgriWebb App -> Menu -> Hardware Connections.
The HR‑5 should automatically appear and can be selected to complete the connection.
To Troubleshoot:
If connecting via Wi-Fi (not recommended) and the device does not appear under the Hardware Connections page automatically, it can be manually selected.
Tap on the green ‘Connect a new device’ bar at the bottom of the Hardware Connections page in the AgriWebb App
Select Gallagher HR-4 or HR-5.
Enter the IP address of the EID reader.
To find this IP address, go to the list of WiFi connections on your mobile device settings and select the 'i' next to the reader's network. The IP address is listed here and is a combination of numbers and letters. The mobile app needs the IPv4 address.
Press Save
Restart the HR-5 and reconnect.
If connecting via Wi‑Fi (not recommended), hotspots can be disrupted by mobile data services, ensure that mobile data is switched off.
Ensure the firmware is updated to at least version 2.0
To check this, head to the ‘i’ button -> ‘About’ -> ‘App’ number is the version.
If the device needs to be updated you can do so here -> https://am.gallagher.com/en-AU/Support/Software
If problems persist, the Gallagher Animal Data Transfer app can be used to confirm that the reader is functioning correctly.
Download the Gallagher Transfer App from the App store and attempt to connect to the device from there.
If a connection is made, Engineering will need to be notified that a connection cannot be made to AgriWebb directly.
TO NOTE:
If the Gallagher Animal Performance app has previously been connected to the hardware and running on your mobile or tablet in the background, it will block the mobile app’s connection. Please fully close the Gallagher app and attempt the connection between the mobile app and hardware again.
To Close the App:
iOS - swipe from the bottom of the phone, and swipe the app away.
Android - tap on the app switcher icon (|||) and swipe the app away again.
HR5-v3
The HR‑5 v3 represents a significant update within the HR series, introducing Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) capabilities which allows the device to connect via Bluetooth to both Apple and Android devices.
To Connect:
On the stick reader, from the Main Menu screen, use the arrow keys to select the Wireless icon and press OK.
Turn Bluetooth on
The connection status and device table display and the connection status changes to ‘Discoverable’ mode. The reader can now be searched for and found by other devices.
Switch to mobile device.
Head to the AgriWebb app -> Menu -> Hardware Connections.
Select ‘Connect a new device’ -> HR-5 v3.
After a while, it should establish the connection.
*BR Controller with Antenna
*In some setups, the Gallagher BR Controller Antenna is used as a handheld or portable EID reader, particularly where it is paired with a panel antenna or operated in a semi‑mobile configuration. When used in this context, its connection workflow resembles the older stick readers (HR4 and HR5 above)