Styles of Badge Reels to Choose From
If you run a company organization that requires the use of magnetic ID cards that need to be swiped through a scanner, badge reels should be considered as essential as any other equipment in your workplace. These small devices are simply composed a small reel and a string that retract and extend anything that is attached to it. They can improve productivity by allowing card holders to easily swipe the card through the scanner without ever having to remove it from their belt. If you employees typically have small tools and keys that they use frequently, badge reels can also be a serious time saver. But there are actually several styles to chosen from, the one you should purchase depends upon your specific needs. Here are the primary styles of badge reels and their primary qualities.
Plastic Badge Reels – Plastic badge reels are the most popular and most common style of badge reels. Their primary advantage is their affordability. If you run a particularly large company that has an expansive need for badge reels, this can translate into large savings. But choosing a badge reel for its affordable price doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice functionality. These reels often come with high quality, durable straps and extremely secure attachment methods. They also come in a variety of colors, which can be mixed and matched for a variety of functions.
Swivel Back Badge Reels – If you want your employees to have badge reels with a bit more functionality, you should consider the swivel back badge reel. This style is very similar to the plastic badge reels, except that it has a belt clip that allows the reel to swivel in any direction. This allows the badge reels the hang the ID straight no matter how the reel is attached to you.
Ski and Sport Badge Reels – This style badge reel is designed for lift passes for skiing, but they have several features that can appeal to business owners as well. They have a very large surface area, which allows you to print your company name or logo on them if you so choose. They typically come in a variety of colors. For a business owner, this might allow you to distribute your badge reels based upon duties, departments, or even security access. Many even choose to purchase sport badge reels based upon company colors.
Heavy Duty Badge Reels - Heavy duty reels are for those who need their badge reels to be a bit more durable. Instead of made of typical plastic, they have a chrome back. Many even give you the option of forgoing the typical vinyl cord in favor of much rugged steel or chain cord. If you work in an environment where your tools usually suffer a beating, such as on a construction site, the heavy duty badge reel should be prime piece of equipment. Both the reel and cord are extra durable by design, so they can undergo extremely harsh treatment without losing too much functionality.