MEI Talos T6 vs T7 vs T8 Bill Validator: Specs, Model Numbers & Buying Guide

From the E&D Trading technical team: this guide covers MEI Talos T6 vs T7 vs T8 Bill Validator: Specs, Model Numbers & Buying Guide. E&D Trading has supplied bill acceptors and parts to the amusement and vending industry for 30 years — call 877-922-6707 if you need help choosing the right part.

The MEI Talos bill validator from Crane Payment Innovations (CPI) is the next generation of MEI note validation. It is built on more than 20 years of MEI reliability, and it comes in three families: the Talos T6 and Talos T8 for amusement, and the Talos T7 for vending. This guide puts everything from the official T6/T8 and T7 data sheets in one place: what's different between the series, how to read a Talos model number, full specifications, interfaces by voltage, and bezel, stacker and bill box options. It should help you order the right unit the first time.

Prefer the source documents? Download the MEI Talos T6/T8 Data Sheet (PDF), the MEI Talos T7 Data Sheet (PDF), and the MEI Talos Operation & Service Manual (PDF).

Why Operators Choose MEI Talos

• 100% backwards compatible: Talos works with existing bezels, so you can streamline your spare parts inventory.
• 2x faster note validation than previous models, for higher throughput during peak hours.
• Best-in-class fraud protection: enhanced sensor technology and the industry's widest note coverage are designed to reject all known counterfeits.
• USB connection for seamless upgrades and data retrieval. CPI says it cuts at-machine upgrade time by up to 80%.
• Fewer jams (T7 vending): improved jam performance gives a 50% decrease in jams compared to previous models. That means fewer service calls and more uptime.

Talos T6 vs T7 vs T8: Comparison Table

Feature	Talos T6	Talos T7	Talos T8
Market	Amusement	Vending	Amusement
Denominations (95%+ acceptance)	$1, $5, $10, $20	$1, $5, $10, $20	$1, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100
Voltage options	110V, 24V, 12VDC	34VDC MDB	110V, 24V, 12VDC
Power sources	90–135 VAC 60Hz, 18–28 VAC 60Hz, 22–45VDC, or 12VDC	22VDC to 45VDC	90–135 VAC 60Hz, 18–28 VAC 60Hz, 22–45VDC, or 12VDC
Interfaces	ILLP, NILLP, MDB*, NISR, IP, NIP, EBDS	MDB	ILLP, NILLP, MDB*, NISR, IP, NIP, EBDS
Harness options	MDB, Pulse 12 Pin, IVS	MDB	MDB, Pulse 12 Pin, IVS
Stacker	Upstacker or Downstacker	Upstacker	Upstacker or Downstacker
Bill box (magazine)	300, 500, 700 or 1000 bills
Transaction speed	About 2.5 seconds from bill insertion to completed stacking
Escrow	One bill

*MDB is listed for 24V models. 12V and 120V models support ILLP, NILLP, NISR, IP, NIP and EBDS.

How to Read a Talos Model Number

Every Talos part number follows the pattern TXXX-XXXXXX. Take T702-U5MUS, the sample configuration on the T7 data sheet: it's a Talos for vending (7) at 34VDC MDB (2), with an Upstacker (U), a 500-bill box (5), an MDB harness (M), configured for the United States (US).

Code	What it means	Options from the data sheets
T	Talos	Always "T"
Market (first digit)	Series / application	6 = Amusement $1–$20 · 7 = Vending · 8 = Amusement $1–$100
Bezel	Front bezel style	T6/T8: S = VFM Mid-Entry, T = Compact Low-Entry, 3 = VFM Downstacker, 5 = Fitted Upstacker, 8 = Compact Downstacker T7: 4 = Armored Compact Upstacker, C = High Visibility VFM, D = High Visibility Compact, P = Easichoice 4-in-1+, S = VFM Mid-Entry, T = Compact Low-Entry
Voltage (last digit before the dash)	Power	T6/T8: 1 = 110V, 2 = 24V, 4 = 12VDC · T7: 2 = 34VDC MDB
Stacker (first letter after the dash)	Stacking direction	U = Upstacker, D = Downstacker (T6/T8 only)
Magazine (number)	Bill box capacity	3 = 300 · 5 = 500 · 7 = 700 · 10 = 1000 bills
Harness (letter)	Wiring harness	M = MDB, E = Pulse 12 Pin, I = IVS (E and I are T6/T8 options)
Country	Currency set	US = United States

More examples from our catalog: T602-U5MUS is a T6 amusement unit at 24V with an Upstacker, a 500-bill box and an MDB harness. T631-D5EUS is a 110V T6 with a Downstacker, a 500-bill box and a Pulse 12 Pin harness. T811-U10EUS is a 110V T8 ($1–$100) with an Upstacker, a 1000-bill box and a Pulse harness.

MEI Talos Specifications (All Series)

• Acceptance rate: 95% or greater at nominal conditions. That covers $1, $5, $10 and $20 on the T6 and T7, plus $50 and $100 on the T8.
• Bill insertion: lengthwise, four-way (face up or down, either direction)
• Transaction speed: about 2.5 seconds from bill insertion to completed stacking
• Escrow: one bill
• Power consumption: 5 W standby · 10 W acceptance · 50 W full stack max
• Operating temperature: -15°C to +60°C
• Storage temperature: -40°C to +70°C
• Humidity: 30% to 90% RH, non-condensing, with a maximum of 50% RH at 60°C
• Shipping weight: four pounds

Interfaces by Voltage

Voltage	Series	Supported interfaces
24V	T6 / T8	ILLP, NILLP, MDB, NISR, IP, NIP, EBDS
12V and 120V	T6 / T8	ILLP, NILLP, NISR, IP, NIP, EBDS
34VDC MDB (22–45VDC)	T7	MDB

T6/T8 power sources: 90 to 135 VAC 60Hz, 18 to 28 VAC 60Hz, 22VDC to 45VDC, or 12VDC. T7 power source: 22VDC to 45VDC.

Bezel, Stacker and Bill Box Options

Bezels

• Amusement (T6/T8): VFM Mid-Entry, Compact Low-Entry, VFM Downstacker, Fitted Upstacker and Compact Downstacker
• Vending (T7): Armored Compact Upstacker, High Visibility VFM, High Visibility Compact, Easichoice 4-in-1+, VFM Mid-Entry and Compact Low-Entry

Because Talos is 100% backwards compatible with existing bezels, you can often upgrade without changing the machine's front panel.

Stackers

T6 and T8 amusement units come with an Upstacker or a Downstacker. T7 vending units use an Upstacker.

Bill Boxes

All three series offer a 300, 500, 700 or 1000-bill magazine.

Which Talos Should You Choose?

For vending machines: Talos T7

Choose a Talos T7 for MDB vending machines running 22–45VDC. It accepts $1–$20, offers vending bezels like the Easichoice 4-in-1+ and High Visibility options, and has 50% fewer jams than previous models. A popular pick is the T702-U5MUS 500-note vending bill acceptor. Also available: T702-U3MUS (300 notes) and T702-U7MUS (700 notes).

For amusement games taking $1–$20: Talos T6

The Talos T6 covers arcade, redemption and amusement equipment that accepts $1–$20. It comes in 110V, 24V and 12VDC versions with Pulse, IVS or MDB harnesses, plus an Upstacker or Downstacker. Examples: T602-U5MUS, T602-U5EUS and T612-U5EUS.

For amusement games taking up to $100: Talos T8

If your machines need to take $50 and $100 bills, choose the Talos T8. It has the same voltage, harness, stacker and bill box options as the T6. Examples: T811-U5EUS, T811-U10EUS and T812-U10EUS.

Browse the full lineup in our MEI / CPI Bill Acceptors & Note Validators collection.

MEI Talos FAQs

What is the difference between the Talos T6 and T8?

Both are amusement validators. The T6 accepts $1–$20, while the T8 accepts $1–$100, including $50 and $100 bills.

Is the Talos T7 for vending only?

The T7 is CPI's vending model. It runs on 22–45VDC (the 34VDC MDB configuration) and uses the MDB interface and harness.

Will a Talos fit my existing bezel?

CPI says Talos is 100% backwards compatible with existing bezels, so it integrates seamlessly with your current setup.

How fast is the Talos bill validator?

A transaction takes about 2.5 seconds from bill insertion to completed stacking. Validation is 2x faster than previous MEI models.

How much power does a Talos use?

5 watts on standby, 10 watts during acceptance, and up to 50 watts at full stack.

What does the "E" in T602-U5EUS mean?

E is the harness code for a Pulse 12 Pin harness. M means MDB and I means IVS.

Can I update Talos firmware?

Yes. Talos has a USB connection for upgrades and data retrieval, which CPI says cuts at-machine upgrade time by up to 80%. See the Talos Operation & Service Manual for details.

Need a Talos Repaired?

BillAcceptors.us is an authorized service center. If your MEI Talos is jamming, rejecting bills or needs service, send it to our bill acceptor repair center. If you're ready to upgrade, shop MEI Talos validators or contact our team for help picking the right model number.

Need help? Call E&D Trading at 877-922-6707 or email orders@endtrading.com. Most parts mentioned here ship from our Hollywood, FL warehouse.