diff --git a/main.py b/main.py
index 6d7ef4b..704d0d0 100644
--- a/main.py
+++ b/main.py
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ def init():
     GPIO.output(RFID_EN_PIN, GPIO.LOW)
     logging.info('GPIO initialized')
 
-    ser = serial.Serial(port='/dev/ttyAMA0', baudrate=secrets.BAUD_RATE, timeout=0.1)
+    ser = serial.Serial(port='/dev/ttyAMA0', baudrate=secrets.BAUD_RATE, timeout=0.05)
     logging.info('Serial initialized')
 
     for sig in (SIGABRT, SIGILL, SIGINT, SIGSEGV, SIGTERM):
@@ -71,7 +71,8 @@ def reader_thread(card_data_queue):
         except Empty:
             pass
 
-        card = ser.readline()
+        ser.reset_input_buffer()
+        card = ser.read(100)
 
         if not card:
             continue
@@ -83,16 +84,15 @@ def reader_thread(card_data_queue):
         except UnicodeDecodeError:
             continue
 
-        logging.debug('Card read string: %s', card)
+        card = card[1:11]
 
-        if len(card) != 10:
-            logging.debug('Card length not 10, skipping')
-            continue
+        logging.debug('Card read string: %s', card)
 
         # debounce card scans
         now = time.time()
         if card in recent_scans:
             if now - recent_scans[card] < 5.0:
+                logging.debug('Debouncing scan')
                 continue
         recent_scans[card] = now