Sam4s NR-510 vs Sam4s NR-520

Which One’s Right for Your Business?

A Practical Comparison for South African Startups & Small Business Owners

• NR-510 (Single Printer): Designed for businesses that only need to print a customer receipt or a journal (not both at once). It can, however, generate an electronic journal.
• NR-520 (Dual Printer): Designed for businesses that require a physical receipt for the customer and a simultaneous, real-time paper audit trail (journal) for their records. 

Here is a breakdown of the differences:

Key Differences

1. Printer Capability:

• NR-510: Single station thermal printer (Receipt OR Journal).
• NR-520: Twin station thermal printer (Receipt AND Journal).

2. Ideal Use Case:

• NR-510: Ideal for smaller retail operations or environments where a full, immediate hard-copy journal is not required.
• NR-520: Ideal for busier restaurants, cafes, and retail shops requiring both a physical audit roll and customer receipts.

3. Keyboard Options:

Both models come in 'F' (Flat, 76-key, for hospitality) and 'R' (Raised, 48-key, for retail) variants. 

Common Features (Sam4s NR-500 Series)

Both models share the same core functionality, including: 

Memory: Up to 10,000 Price Look-Ups (PLUs).

Clerks: Up to 99 clerks/cashiers.

Connectivity: 2-3 Serial Ports, 1x USB Type A & 1x USB Type B.

Functions: Graphic logo printing, barcode scanning capability, and mix-and-match pricing. 

1. Quick Overview: Sam4s NR-510R

The NR-510R is a reliable electronic cash register that covers all the basics small business owners need — printing receipts, storing product codes, and tracking daily sales. It’s a single-station thermal cash register, meaning it has one printer built in to produce customer receipts.

Best for:

• Small retail shops
• Tavern and Bottle Store
• Supermarket
• Fashion / Boutique
• Convenience
• Retail / Giftware
• Businesses with lighter checkout volume

Top Features:

• One-station thermal receipt printer (57 mm paper)
• Easy data backup & reporting
• Supports barcode scanners, USB, Ethernet
• Large graphic display and customer view
• Plenty of PLUs (product lookup codes) for your inventory

This makes the NR-510R a solid, dependable choice for business owners who need a straightforward register that handles day-to-day sales without unnecessary complexity.

2. What Makes the Sam4s NR-520F Different?

While the NR-510 is great for basic sales, the NR-520F steps it up with a two-station thermal printer — meaning it prints both a customer receipt and a journal or audit copy at the same time. This is important for businesses that want a printed audit trail for accounting or reconciliation at the end of the day.

Best for:

• Busy restaurant/ Fast food
• Bar & Nightclub
• Take-Away
• Supermarket
• Pizza shop
• Contract Catering
  

Key Advantages:

• Dual station printing (receipt + journal)
• Same connectivity and display as the NR-510R
• Better audit control for financial tracking
• Can handle higher transaction volumes with ease

The dual printer setup is especially helpful if you run a shop where multiple people work as cashiers, or you want instant audit trails without needing to download reports later.

3. Head-to-Head: When to Choose Which

Here’s a simple comparison to help you decide:

In plain terms:

• Go with the NR-510 if your business doesn’t need a separate journal copy or you rarely review printed sales records.
• Choose the NR-520 if you want audit copies every time you register a sale, which is especially useful for shops with multiple cashiers or higher daily turnover.

4. Tips for South African Business Owners

When choosing a register for your shop or SME:

Think about your workflow:

• Do you need a printed copy of every sale for reconciliation with your accountant?
• Is your store busy with multiple cashiers?
• Are you connecting barcode scanners or other devices later?

Connectivity matters:

Both models let you connect to barcode scanners, USB devices, and even your PC for backups — this helps you scale as your business grows

At TillSense, we often recommend pairing your Sam4s register with a barcode scanner and EFTPOS terminal so you can serve customers faster and more professionally.

Need Help Deciding?

If you’re still uncertain which model fits your business best, our team is here to help. We provide local support and setup services across South Africa, including Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Gauteng retail locations.

Ask us about:

• Free demo at your shop
• Installation & training
• Barcode scanners, receipt printers, and accessories

Contact TillSense today for personalised advice.