Magnetic Strip Cards (HiCo & LoCo)
Magnetic stripe cards come in two variants: HiCo (High Coercivity) and LoCo (Low Coercivity), both capable of storing the same amount of data but differing in durability and applications. HiCo cards feature black magnetic stripes with a strong magnetic field (2750 Oersted), making them more resistant to accidental erasure and…
Technical Specifications
Magnetic strip cards are plastic cards with a magnetic stripe that stores data which can be read by card readers. These cards come in two main variants: High Coercivity (HiCo) and Low Coercivity (LoCo). Both types have the same data storage capacity but differ in their magnetic field strength, durability, and intended applications. Each box contains 250 cards ready for encoding and use in various identification and access control systems.
Key Features
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HiCo Cards:
- Magnetic Field Strength: 2750 Oersted (high coercivity)
- Stripe Color: Black magnetic stripe
- Durability: Highly resistant to accidental data erasure from external magnetic fields
- Applications: Long-term use cards such as credit cards, employee ID badges, access control cards, library cards
- Quantity: 250 cards per box for bulk deployment
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LoCo Cards:
- Magnetic Field Strength: 300 Oersted (low coercivity)
- Stripe Color: Brown magnetic stripe
- Durability: Less resistant to magnetic interference, easier to reprogram
- Applications: Short-term use cards such as hotel room keys, temporary passes, season tickets
- Quantity: 250 cards per box for bulk deployment
Card Structure
- Standard Size: CR80 (3.375″ × 2.125″ or 85.6mm × 54mm)
- Thickness: 30 mil (0.76mm), the standard credit card thickness
- Material: Durable PVC plastic
- Encoding Tracks: Available with 1, 2, or 3 tracks for different data storage needs
Applications
Magnetic strip cards are versatile and widely used across various industries:
- Access control systems for secured areas
- Time and attendance tracking
- Membership and loyalty programs
- Financial transactions (credit/debit cards)
- Hotel room keys
- Public transportation
- Healthcare identification
Advantages
- Established Technology: Widely accepted and compatible with existing infrastructure
- Cost-Effectiveness: Economical solution for large-scale deployments (250 cards per box)
- Ease of Use: Simple swipe operation for end-users
- Customization: Can be printed with logos, text, and images for branding
- Versatility: Available in both HiCo and LoCo versions to suit different application needs
