How to choose a bill acceptor: CashCode SM, JCM A7 or ICT DBV-301?

Everyone who works in the vending business, sooner or later, faces the problem of choosing a bill acceptor. For a person who has come across this for the first time, it may seem that there are no fundamental differences, but there are a list of important features that should be noted.

This article is devoted to comparison of the three most common models of bill validators:

• CachCode SM;
• ICT A7;
• JCM DBV-301.

The bill acceptors will be compared by certain criteria, each model will be charged a certain number of points: 3, 2 and 1 point for the first, second and third places, respectively. So, let's get started!

Operating conditions of the vending machine

The place of exploitation is an extremely important point, so it should be taken into account first. Aggressive operating conditions (dust, rain) are suitable for CashCode and JCM, but ICT is highly undesirable to use in places where it will be exposed to bays.

As for operation in the cold season, the main factor is the minimum temperature at which the use of the bill acceptor will be expedient:

• JCM - from -15 degrees (3 points);
• CashCode - from 0 degrees (2 points);
• ICT - from +2 degrees (1 point).

Estimated number of transactions

Installing a vending machine, a businessman probably calculates the approximate number of daily transactions. The number of operations is affected by factors such as the speed of the validator, the number of failures when accepting banknotes, the frequency of jamming of notes. The number of transactions that our subjects can process:

• CashCode - from 150 at a speed of 1.7 seconds. (3 points);
• JCM - up to 150 with a speed of 2.3 seconds. (2 points);
• ICT - up to 50 with a speed of 3.7 sec. (1 point).

Continuous operation

The longer the bill acceptor functions to failure, the less problems with it. Running ahead, it is worth noting that the favorite of this comparison (CashCode SM) can run smoothly for 4-5 years. MTBF is measured in cycles and is:

• CashCode - 750 thousand (3 points);
• JCM - 680 thousand (2 points);
• ITC - 150 thousand (1 point).

Weak points in the construction  

The most vulnerable bill acceptor is ICT. One of its weaknesses is the reduction gear for laying and broaching (plastic teeth are quickly worn out). The second weak point of ICT is the plastic case, as in JCM. But the case and a stack of banknotes from CashCode are made of metal.

In fact, this nuance is of great importance, because careless maintenance of the machine can lead to breakage of fragile parts.

• CashCode - 3 points;
• JCM - 2 points;
• ITC - 1 point.

Statistics of reception, stuck and recognition of notes

A significant drawback of ICT is the percentage of refunds. The manufacturer claims that this figure does not exceed 7%, however, according to the owners, this characteristic is somewhat embellished. CashCode and JCM show a much lower return rate - no more than 4%.

Concerning the jamming of banknotes, it is not a secret that this problem is more or less typical for all bill acceptors:

• CashCode - no more than once a month (3 points);
• JCM - no more than 1 time in 1-2 weeks (2 points);
• ITC - regular jams with full stopping of the mechanism (1 point).

Price

It should be said that by and large each of the estimated bill acceptors worthy of attention, but that's worth remembering: the quality of the bill acceptor is directly proportional to its price. It is clear that the most expensive is CashCode SM, the middle line is occupied by JCM, and the most accessible representative is ICT.

Result

It is not difficult to calculate that the winner of this race was a bill acceptor CashCode SM. It surpasses its competitors by almost all criteria and its price is fully justified. CashCode SM is an excellent solution for beginners and professionals (they are unlikely to choose anything else) of the vending business.