Viking 26-Bit Wiegand Thin ISO-Style Proximity Card - PRX-C-ISO

Viking Electronics PRX-C-ISO 26-Bit Wiegand Thin ISO-Style Proximity Card

Overview

The Viking Electronics PRX-C-ISO is a standard-format 125kHz RFID proximity card built for access control deployments that require broad reader compatibility and a true ISO card profile. At 0.032 inches thick and 53.9mm x 85.5mm — the same footprint as a standard credit card — the PRX-C-ISO slides into wallet card slots, badge holders, and ID-card lanyards without modification or bulge. If you're running a Viking PRX-series door-entry system and need credentials that integrate cleanly without reader reconfiguration, this is the card. It works natively with the PRX-1, PRX-2, PRX-3, and PRX-5 readers as well as certain legacy HID® proximity readers already installed on site.

The PRX-C-ISO ships in standard 26-bit Wiegand format — the most widely deployed credential protocol in commercial access control — so it presents no integration surprises to any access control panel or software already expecting Wiegand input. Facility codes run 2 through 255 and card numbers span 1 through 65,535, which is enough headroom for most mid-size commercial and multi-tenant deployments without hitting numbering conflicts.

Key Features

• Standard ISO Card Dimensions (53.9mm x 85.5mm x 0.81mm, 0.032" thick): These are exact credit card dimensions, meaning the PRX-C-ISO drops into any standard badge holder, wallet sleeve, or ID-card printer without any custom carrier or adapter. At 6 grams, cardholders won't notice the weight on a lanyard — important for high-volume employee credential programs where comfort drives compliance.
• 125kHz RFID Operating Frequency: The 125kHz band is the established standard for commercial proximity access control. It provides reliable, predictable read distances with Viking PRX-series readers and avoids the interference sensitivity issues that can affect higher-frequency cards in electrically dense environments like server rooms and industrial facilities.
• 26-Bit Standard Wiegand Format: The PRX-C-ISO (often searched as PRX C ISO) transmits credentials over the universally adopted 26-bit Wiegand protocol. Any access control panel wired for Wiegand — from legacy standalone controllers to modern IP-based platforms — reads this card without firmware changes or driver updates.
• Facility Code Range 2–255: A facility code separates your site's cards from neighboring installations sharing the same card number pool. With 254 usable codes, enterprise campuses and managed service providers can segment multiple sites or buildings under distinct codes, preventing cross-site credential acceptance.
• Card Number Range 1–65,535: Up to 65,535 unique card numbers per facility code. For most commercial office, warehouse, and light industrial sites, this ceiling is more than sufficient for the full employee lifecycle without reissuing or recycling credentials.
• Non-Contact Reading Technology: The PRX-C-ISO requires no physical insertion or contact with the reader surface. Non-contact operation eliminates the mechanical wear that causes swipe-based and insertion-based card readers to fail over time — a real factor in high-traffic entry points like loading dock doors, shift-change turnstiles, and lobby entrances where thousands of reads per day are normal.
• Compatible with Viking PRX-1, PRX-2, PRX-3, PRX-5 and Legacy HID® Readers: Compatibility with the Viking PRX-2 (a 125kHz reader with integrated keypad designed for single-gang box mounting) and the PRX-3 (medium-range 125kHz reader supporting Viking PRX-C, PRX-C-ISO, PRX-FOB, and LRT-4 credentials) means this card operates across the full current Viking PRX product line. Legacy HID® proximity reader support extends value in mixed-hardware environments where older readers haven't been replaced yet.

Integration and Compatibility

The PRX-C-ISO is designed specifically to pair with Viking Electronics access control and entry systems, including the PRX-1, PRX-2, PRX-3, and PRX-5 proximity readers. For deployments using the Viking PRX-2's combined keypad-and-reader at a single-gang wall box, the PRX-C-ISO provides the card-only authentication path — the keypad can remain active for PIN-plus-card two-factor scenarios depending on your controller configuration. The PRX-3's medium-range read capability means cardholders don't need to present the card flush against the reader surface, which matters at vehicle-gate and loading-dock applications where gloved hands or windshield-mount scenarios are common.

Because the PRX-C-ISO uses standard 26-bit Wiegand output, it is also compatible with a broad range of third-party access control readers and panels that accept 26-bit Wiegand input — verify your panel or controller's supported formats before deploying at scale. For sites evaluating a complete Viking proximity access deployment, review the Viking PRX reader lineup alongside this credential to match read range and mounting style to each door location.

Facilities with a mix of Viking PRX readers and legacy HID® proximity readers can run a single credential stock — the PRX-C-ISO is listed as compatible with certain legacy HID® proximity readers — which reduces inventory complexity and simplifies cardholder management. Consult your access control software documentation to confirm the HID® reader models your platform supports before standardizing on a single credential across mixed-hardware sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the PRX-C-ISO compatible with HID® proximity card readers?

A: Yes. Viking's documentation states the PRX-C-ISO is compatible with certain legacy HID® proximity readers in addition to the Viking PRX-1, PRX-2, PRX-3, and PRX-5. Verify specific HID® reader model compatibility with Viking Electronics before deploying across a large mixed-hardware installation.

Q: What card dimensions does the PRX-C-ISO use?

A: The PRX-C-ISO measures 53.9mm x 85.5mm x 0.81mm (approximately 0.032 inches thick) — identical to a standard ISO credit card footprint. It weighs 6 grams and fits standard badge holders, lanyards, and wallet sleeves without modification.

Q: What Wiegand format does the PRX-C-ISO use?

A: The PRX-C-ISO uses the standard 26-bit Wiegand format with facility codes ranging from 2 to 255 and card numbers from 1 to 65,535. This is the most widely supported credential format in commercial access control.

Q: What operating frequency does the PRX-C-ISO use?

A: The PRX-C-ISO operates at 125kHz, the standard frequency for commercial proximity access control. This matches the Viking PRX-1, PRX-2, PRX-3, and PRX-5 readers.

Q: Can the PRX-C-ISO be used as a two-factor credential with a PIN keypad?

A: The PRX-C-ISO is a proximity card credential. When paired with a Viking PRX-2 reader — which integrates both a 125kHz proximity reader and a keypad on a single-gang wall box — your access control panel can be configured to require both card presentation and a PIN entry for two-factor authentication, depending on your controller's configuration options.

Q: How many unique cards can be issued per facility code?

A: Each facility code supports card numbers from 1 to 65,535, giving you up to 65,535 unique credentials per facility code. With 254 usable facility codes (2 through 255), large multi-site deployments can segment card populations by building or campus zone.

Jerry Tildsen

The PRX-C-ISO is one of those credentials that does exactly what it says with no surprises — standard 26-bit Wiegand at 125kHz, true ISO card dimensions at 53.9mm x 85.5mm x 0.81mm, and native support across the Viking PRX reader line. If you're commissioning a Viking-based access control system and need to issue physical cards rather than fobs, the PRX-C-ISO is the right match for that platform.

Technical Highlights:

• 0.032-inch card thickness: True ISO-standard profile means no carrier adapter needed for badge printers, ID card laminators, or standard badge holders — reduces fulfillment complexity on large credential issuance projects.
• 26-bit Wiegand, facility codes 2–255: The widest-supported credential protocol in the installed base. With 254 usable facility codes and 65,535 card numbers per code, mid-size commercial deployments won't hit numbering ceiling issues within a normal facility lifecycle.
• Compatible with PRX-3 medium-range reader: The PRX-3 supports Viking PRX-C, PRX-C-ISO, PRX-FOB, LRT-4, and certain legacy HID® proximity credentials — meaning a site standardized on PRX-C-ISO cards can later expand to include fob users or retain legacy HID® cards during a phased migration without swapping readers.

Deployment Considerations:

• Confirm your specific legacy HID® reader model is on Viking's supported list before committing to PRX-C-ISO as a universal credential across mixed reader hardware — not all legacy HID® readers are explicitly listed as compatible.
• Facility code assignment matters at scale: the 2–255 range means code 1 is not available, and codes should be allocated intentionally across buildings or tenants to prevent cross-site read acceptance in multi-tenant or campus environments.

For a mid-size commercial office or industrial facility running Viking PRX-2 or PRX-3 readers at door entries, the PRX-C-ISO delivers a proven 125kHz credential in a form factor that integrates with standard ID-badge workflows — the right pick when you want cards, not fobs, and want to stay within the Viking PRX ecosystem.