What's the Difference Between Star Micronics Cash Drawers?
By: Colton Redtfeldt - 4/20/2022

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<h2>Value Series - CD3</h2>
This is Star's entry-level light-duty cash drawer. It’s used primarily for light to medium retail and restaurant environments where you’re taking some cash, but not a ton. It comes in both a 13x13" and a 16x16" option in both black and white exteriors. This drawer will support both a 4-bill 5-coin till for the 13" option and a 5-bill 5/8-coin till for the 16" option. The till has adjustable pieces that can be popped out so you can adjust the till for Canadian bills but they do sell drawers pre-configured already.

Construction-wise you’re looking at a steel construction and a rolling track system made to last about one million open and close cycles. The rolling system is built around a single-roller system. Because of this, you’re going to find that the ball-bearing on this will eventually get flat on one side and when it does that, you’re going to start getting that grinding noise that’s associated with the drawer going bad.
<center>![enter image description here][1][500][]</center>

<h2>Choice Series - CD4</h2>
The next step up is going to be the CD4 cash drawer. It’s the same as the CD3 in a lot of ways - inclduing an almost identically-functioning rolling system, but features a few different sizing options. There's a 14”(W)x16”(D) option with a 4-bill 5/8-coin and a 16x16” option with a 5-bill and 5/8-coin till. There’s both a black and white option on this one as well. A locking till cover is also available for sell for both size options.

One notable improvement on this drawer is the inclusion of a reinforced metal bar running through the top to better support POS terminals and tablet setups. With that reinforcement, the drawer is rated to withstand 66 pounds of pressure on the top here without warping.

Of all three models, the outer coating on this is the best in our opinion. It looks the most premium and is going to be the most scuff and fingerprint resistant. The other two drawers feature a different texture pattern with a smoother coating that almost acts like sandpaper, slowly catching onto bits of debris and finger oils.

<center>![enter image description here][2][500][]</center>
<h2>Max Series</h2>
This is the top tier for Star cash drawers and as such, it’s going to feature the highest build quality and durability of the three drawers. Star Micronics notes that the drawer is rated for two million open and closing cycles. The actual roller assembly is almost identical in setup to the CD3 and CD4 but it does have an upgraded trigger solenoid and other electrical parts which gives it that extra boost in life. Compared to other top-tier drawers from other manufacturers — and even some medium-tier drawers — the Max's sliding mechanism does fall behind a bit due to the single roller. Most other top-tier drawers offer multi-ball roller systems.

It will come in both a 13x17 4-bill 4-coin option and a 16x17 5-bill and 5-coin option. Both configurations are available in black and white as well and there’s models available pre-configured for Canadian bills.

The re-reinforcement bars along the top of the drawer are further reinforced on this model to provide additional weight capacity when compared to the CD4. Even with this, the weight capacity on the CD4 is pretty good as is, so for most applications, the CD4's weight capacity should be plenty.
<center>![Max Cash Drawer][3][500][]

[1]: https://posguys.blob.core.windows.net/content/images/blog/79004/CD3.jpg
  [2]: https://posguys.blob.core.windows.net/content/images/blog/79004/CD4.png
  [3]: https://posguys.blob.core.windows.net/content/images/blog/79004/Star%20Max%20Front%20View%20Black.jpg

What's the Difference Between Star Micronics Cash Drawers? By: Colton Redtfeldt - 4/20/2022

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What's the Difference Between Star Micronics Cash Drawers?
By: Colton Redtfeldt - 4/20/2022