The other day I had the long overdue opportunity to test out the new RCI readers on the Bosch B/G Series of  alarm panels.  The B6512 can support 4 access doors, the B8512g will support 8 access doors, and the B9512g supports 32 access doors.

For those of you who would like a deeper dive on the readers,  please check out this blog post.

For my first test I tried out the Weigand version of the RCI Conekt PCR-620L 125kHz mobile ready keypad reader.   This is a flexible reader as it will allow for standard 125 kHz proximity card,  Keypad as well as mobile credential.

Testing the proximity  reader-   I was able to use a standard 26bit prox card without issues.   I did try to use an EM card and as expected this reader does not support that format.   The reader will support Pyramid + certain HID® 125-kHz Proximity protocols + certain AWID® 125-kHz Proximity protocols RCI Conekt.

Testing with Keypad – With a simple setup I was able to change the reader mode from 8 bit burst to 26bit Wiegand standard and set my facility code.  I was then able to program the codes to associate with a user card data for door entry.   It is important to note, that the Bosch alarm will now allow card and pin for access.  This is a card or pin solution.  If the user has an existing proximity card associated to them, I had to create a specific user for the pin code as the RPS software will only allow for 1 credential per user.

The next reader I tested was the Wiegand 13.56MHz RCI Conekt CSR-35L mobile ready BLE & smartcard reader.   This reader comes with a mullion mount, and an adaptor to enable it to be installed over a single gang box.

This series also has an option with a keypad reader.   The reader worked with the Bosch alarm using a Conekt 13.56MHz fob.   It did not work with the proximity card that I used on the 125KHz reader.   The datasheet states the following credentials MIFARE® Classic 1k & 4k, MIFARE® DESFire® EV1 & EV2, INSIDE Secure®
/PICOPASS® classic-type transponders, as well as RCI Conekt.

Testing with BLE mobile credential  – The mobile app worked well with both of these readers.  It’s a great solution to add a mobile option to an existing proximity reader solution.   You can change just one reader to allow mobile access, and maintain the existing proximity readers.    The reader came with an option to to use a mobile range card to change the read range for up to 15 feet away.   As with the Keypad credential,  if the exiting user in the Bosch RPS software has an existing credential,  you will need to create a another user in the software.

For more information about these readers, please download my OverView guide or visit the RCI website.