APC Biopod Fingerprint Reader
- Connectivity Technology: USB
- Scanner Type: Fingerprint Reader
- Platform: PC
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Major Compatibility Issues
Pros
Designed for Windows XP, can store up to 20 users
Cons
Not compatible with Windows Vista or Mozilla
Recommended it?
No
The Bottom Line:
If your using a modern machine and you keep your equipment up to date, avoid this product... it's 5 years behind
Specs:
Physical
Net Weight 0.07 lbs. (0.03 kg)
Maximum Height 0.20 inches (5 mm)
Maximum Width 2.13 inches (54 mm)
Maximum Depth 3.35 inches (85 mm)
Shipping Weight 0.32 lbs. (0.15 kg)
Shipping Height 2.50 inches (64 mm)
Shipping Width 6.00 inches (152 mm)
Shipping Depth 5.00 inches (127 mm)
Environmental
Operating Environment 32 - 122 ?F (0 - 50 ?C)
Operating Relative Humidity 10 - 90%
Operating Elevation 0-10000 feet (0-3000 meters)
Storage Temperature -4 - 122 ?F (-20 - 50 ?C)
Storage Relative Humidity 0 - 95%
Storage Elevation 0-30000 feet (0-9000 meters)
Conformance
Regulatory Approvals: cUL Listed,CE,FCC Part 15 Class B,UL Listed,VCCI
Standard Warranty: 2 years repair or replace
BIOCB40 Features
3-Step Plug and Play Setup
AuthenTec TruePrint Sensor Technology
Compact Portable Design
Competitively priced
Designed for accurate verification
Eliminate password lists
Fast User Switching for Windows XP
Limit access to computers
PC compatible
My experience:
I purchased the APC Password Manager 4000 (BIOCB40) Security Adapter because I have 10 different passwords I use in a day, some of which have as many as 20 characters. Needless to say it can be challenging to keep it all straight, and in today's day and age it isn't wise to keep a written record of which password goes where. Plus, let's admit it, a fingerprint reader is just plain cool. The idea of your fingerprint identifying you has been around since the 14th century, so it's about time our computers caught up. APC appeared to have a way of doing that at a reasonable price. I found APC fingerprint scanners that connected via USB connections and a PC Card. Apparently they haven't produced an express card yet.
First, I've learned that the software they use to interface the card reader with windows, OmniPass, isn't their own. It's produced by Softex. Softex has a version 5.0 available while APC is still running version 2. What does this mean? It means you can expect numerous compatibility problems. It is compatible with Windows 98, 2000, and XP but that's it. I tried to install it on a computer running Vista and their software won't even attempt the installation. According to APC they are studying the problem and expect to have a new version of OmniPass that is APC supported by 2008 (a year after the release of Vista). In my opinion this is evidence the company is very short sighted. Everyone has known Vista was coming out so there's no excuse for a full year of delays. They won't even release a beta version for people to get some accessibility back.
Of course, the ability to store passwords and to insert them without thinking about it is really nice but this is not the tool to do that with. APC is also not compatible with Mozilla (the second most common web browser in the country). I would suggest you look at their competition such as Authentec, UPEK, or TPM they are using the updated version of Omnipass. I would strongly suggest you avoid APC or at least check on their progress on all of these compatibility issues before you invest your money.
Physical
Net Weight 0.07 lbs. (0.03 kg)
Maximum Height 0.20 inches (5 mm)
Maximum Width 2.13 inches (54 mm)
Maximum Depth 3.35 inches (85 mm)
Shipping Weight 0.32 lbs. (0.15 kg)
Shipping Height 2.50 inches (64 mm)
Shipping Width 6.00 inches (152 mm)
Shipping Depth 5.00 inches (127 mm)
Environmental
Operating Environment 32 - 122 ?F (0 - 50 ?C)
Operating Relative Humidity 10 - 90%
Operating Elevation 0-10000 feet (0-3000 meters)
Storage Temperature -4 - 122 ?F (-20 - 50 ?C)
Storage Relative Humidity 0 - 95%
Storage Elevation 0-30000 feet (0-9000 meters)
Conformance
Regulatory Approvals: cUL Listed,CE,FCC Part 15 Class B,UL Listed,VCCI
Standard Warranty: 2 years repair or replace
BIOCB40 Features
3-Step Plug and Play Setup
AuthenTec TruePrint Sensor Technology
Compact Portable Design
Competitively priced
Designed for accurate verification
Eliminate password lists
Fast User Switching for Windows XP
Limit access to computers
PC compatible
My experience:
I purchased the APC Password Manager 4000 (BIOCB40) Security Adapter because I have 10 different passwords I use in a day, some of which have as many as 20 characters. Needless to say it can be challenging to keep it all straight, and in today's day and age it isn't wise to keep a written record of which password goes where. Plus, let's admit it, a fingerprint reader is just plain cool. The idea of your fingerprint identifying you has been around since the 14th century, so it's about time our computers caught up. APC appeared to have a way of doing that at a reasonable price. I found APC fingerprint scanners that connected via USB connections and a PC Card. Apparently they haven't produced an express card yet.
First, I've learned that the software they use to interface the card reader with windows, OmniPass, isn't their own. It's produced by Softex. Softex has a version 5.0 available while APC is still running version 2. What does this mean? It means you can expect numerous compatibility problems. It is compatible with Windows 98, 2000, and XP but that's it. I tried to install it on a computer running Vista and their software won't even attempt the installation. According to APC they are studying the problem and expect to have a new version of OmniPass that is APC supported by 2008 (a year after the release of Vista). In my opinion this is evidence the company is very short sighted. Everyone has known Vista was coming out so there's no excuse for a full year of delays. They won't even release a beta version for people to get some accessibility back.
Of course, the ability to store passwords and to insert them without thinking about it is really nice but this is not the tool to do that with. APC is also not compatible with Mozilla (the second most common web browser in the country). I would suggest you look at their competition such as Authentec, UPEK, or TPM they are using the updated version of Omnipass. I would strongly suggest you avoid APC or at least check on their progress on all of these compatibility issues before you invest your money.
