Genmega G2500 vs. Hyosung HALO II: Which ATM Should You Buy?

By Meghan Stamelos, Vice President, ATM Money Machine

One of the most common questions we hear from customers buying an ATM is, “What’s the difference between the Genmega G2500 and the Hyosung HALO II?”

Both are good machines, and either can work well in a bar, convenience store, salon, restaurant, or other retail business. But there are a few differences worth knowing before you buy.

The Genmega generally costs a little less. The Hyosung includes a larger screen, a wider receipt printer, and more eye-catching lighting. The Genmega also has some additional security deterrents and can cost less for certain repairs.

Let’s look at how they compare.

Genmega G2500 vs. Hyosung HALO II comparison

Screen size and on-screen advertising

One of the biggest differences is the screen. The Genmega G2500 comes with an 8-inch screen, while the Hyosung HALO II comes with a 10.1-inch screen.

You can upgrade the Genmega to a 10.2-inch touchscreen, but that costs extra. The HALO II already includes the larger display, although its standard screen uses buttons rather than touch.

The larger screen also gives you more room for advertising. You can display your business’s logo, promote a special, or advertise another business. The photo below shows a custom screen for Lefty’s Irish Pub and Restaurant.

Both machines can display custom graphics. The HALO II gives you the larger screen for those graphics without an upgrade.

Receipt printer

The Genmega comes with a 2-inch receipt printer, compared with the Hyosung’s 3-inch printer.

If you want to print coupons, your logo, or advertisements on receipts, the wider paper gives you more room. You can upgrade the Genmega to a 3-inch printer, but that is an additional cost.

If you plan to use both the screen and receipts for advertising, the HALO II includes more space for both right from the start.

The HALO II’s LED lighting

The Hyosung HALO II has LED lights that can be programmed to flash or stay solid.

This is a nice feature in a darker business, like a bar or nightclub. The lights draw attention to the ATM and make it easier for customers to see where it is. They also look good in a normally lit store or lobby.

Both machines have an integrated, lit topper sign. The HALO II adds more lighting around the customer area, giving it a more modern look.

We also find the Hyosung more user-friendly overall, both for the owner operating the machine and the customer using it.

The G2500’s security deterrents

The Genmega G2500 has a red flashing light with an “alarm active when flashing” message, along with a visible camera.

These features give the impression that the ATM is being monitored and may help discourage someone from tampering with it. If security is a concern at your location, they are worth considering.

The camera, called the GenCam, takes pictures of customers during transactions, like when they enter their PIN. It isn’t going to catch someone breaking into the ATM, since they aren’t using a card. Like the flashing light, it’s there as a deterrent.

Both models have business-hours safes and electronic locks. The Genmega’s visible deterrents are an additional feature to consider when comparing the two.

How much cash does each ATM hold?

Both machines come standard with a 1,000-note cassette. With $20s, the ATM can hold up to $20,000.

That does not mean you need to put $20,000 in it. You can load less and refill it based on how much cash your customers use and how often you want to visit.

The Genmega G2500 can be upgraded to hold up to 8,000 notes. With $20s, that is up to $160,000 at one time. That much capacity would generally be for an extremely busy location or one where you need to go longer between refills.

The Hyosung HALO II can be upgraded to hold up to 4,000 notes, or $80,000 in $20s.

For most businesses, the standard cassette holds plenty. Most of our customers load somewhere between $1,500 and $4,000 at a time, which is well under what the 1,000-note cassette holds. Loading takes about 3 minutes, so refilling a little more often is not a big deal.

Before paying for a larger dispenser, think about how much cash the location will use between refills.

Size and weight

The G2500 is taller, at about 56 inches compared with about 53 inches for the HALO II. The width is almost the same, just under 16 inches on both.

The HALO II is the heavier machine, at about 265 pounds compared with about 198 pounds for the G2500.

If you are fitting the ATM into a tight spot, measure first and give us a call. We will tell you which one fits.

Are Genmega parts and repairs cheaper?

In some cases, yes. Some Genmega parts cost less, and certain repairs let you replace a small part rather than a larger assembly.

That does not mean every repair costs less on a Genmega. Both brands have individual parts available, and some repairs cost about the same.

Still, if you own several ATMs, those differences can add up. Genmega’s lower cost on some parts and repairs is worth considering, especially if you do some of the work yourself.

Which ATM costs less?

The standard Genmega G2500 generally costs a little less than the standard Hyosung HALO II.

But remember what each machine includes. The Hyosung already comes with the larger screen and 3-inch printer.

If you upgrade the Genmega to the 10.2-inch touchscreen to get closer to the same screen size, it can end up costing more than the HALO II. Adding the 3-inch printer costs extra, too.

So, if you are happy with the Genmega’s standard screen and receipt printer, it is generally the less expensive option. If you want the larger screen and wider receipts, the Hyosung gives you those features without the upgrades.

We have also found that the HALO II tends to hold its resale value better, which may matter if you plan to sell the machine later.

Operating multiple ATMs? Stay with the same manufacturer

If you already operate ATMs, this may be the biggest deciding factor.

Hyosung and Genmega operate differently. Their menus, programming steps, and parts are different, so owning both means learning and supporting two brands.

Staying with the same manufacturer makes things easier. You become familiar with how the machines work, and compatible spare parts can be used across multiple ATMs.

Not every part fits every model, so you still need to check compatibility. But keeping your machines consistent can save time when you are loading, troubleshooting, or making a repair.

If you already have Hyosung ATMs and are happy with them, we would generally recommend staying with Hyosung. The same goes for Genmega.

Frequently asked questions

So, should you buy the G2500 or HALO II?

If you want a lower purchase price and are happy with the standard screen and printer, the Genmega G2500 is a good choice. Its visible security deterrents, larger cash options, and lower cost on some repairs are also worth considering.

If you want a larger screen and printer included, a more modern look, and LED lighting that catches customers’ attention, the Hyosung HALO II is a good choice. We also prefer its overall user-friendly feel.

The HALO II is our best seller, but you really cannot go wrong with either machine. For someone who already owns ATMs, we would put a lot of weight on staying with the brand they already know.

Watch our Genmega G2500 vs. Hyosung HALO II comparison video to see the machines side by side, including the screens, lighting, and security deterrents.

Need help deciding? Browse our ATM machines or call ATM Money Machine at (609) 641-7300. We’ll help you choose the right one for your business!