Vicon VAX Proximity Card Replacement: Compatible Options
Vicon VAX systems run on standard 125 kHz Wiegand proximity technology — the same open format used by hundreds of other access control platforms across North America. Despite that, a search for Vicon VAX proximity card replacement turns up almost nothing outside of Vicon’s own dealer channel. American Key Cards manufactures compatible 26-bit H10301 cards and key fobs for VAX reader installations, compatible by specification with the OEM credentials and available without a dealer account or minimum order quantity. Full format specifications are on our Vicon VAX Proximity format page.
What Is the Vicon VAX Proximity Format?
The Vicon VAX access control platform uses standard passive 125 kHz RFID proximity technology. Cards and fobs communicate with VAX readers using the Wiegand protocol, and the vast majority of deployments are programmed in the standard 26-bit H10301 format: a facility code between 1 and 255, and a card number between 1 and 65,535.
The chip inside a Vicon VAX card is a standard 125 kHz prox IC — the same class of component used across dozens of compatible card families. There is no proprietary Vicon chip, no custom encoding layer, and no encrypted handshake between the card and the reader. The reader simply powers the card inductively, reads the Wiegand data stream, and passes it to the VAX controller for a credential lookup.
VAX controllers also support custom Wiegand formats beyond 26-bit for installations that need a larger card number space or format exclusivity. If your site uses a non-standard bit length, provide that detail when you contact us and we will confirm compatibility before processing an order.
OEM Vicon VAX Part Numbers
Vicon’s own proximity credential lineup includes:
| OEM Part Number | Description |
|---|---|
VAX-CRD-SD | Standard clamshell proximity card |
VAX-CRD-MT | Multi-technology proximity card (125 kHz + 13.56 MHz) |
VAX-FOB-MT | Multi-technology key fob (125 kHz + 13.56 MHz) |
American Key Cards supplies compatible alternatives to the VAX-CRD-SD standard proximity card and a compatible 125 kHz key fob. We are not affiliated with Vicon Security — our products are manufactured to the same published Wiegand specification, not from OEM tooling or licensed parts.
If you are operating a multi-technology installation using the VAX-CRD-MT or VAX-FOB-MT and require the 13.56 MHz smart card layer, contact us to discuss which credential type your system is actively reading. Many multi-tech installations use only the 125 kHz proximity layer in day-to-day operation, in which case a compatible 125 kHz card is a functional drop-in replacement.
How to Identify a Vicon VAX Reader
Vicon proximity readers are clearly branded on the housing. The most common models in U.S. commercial installations are:
- VAX-300R — Standard short-range
125 kHzproximity reader, flush-mount - VAX-500R — Long-range
125 kHzproximity reader for wider read zones - VAX-600KP — Proximity reader with integrated keypad for dual-factor authentication
If you have a reader on the wall without visible branding, check the panel or controller enclosure for the Vicon or VAX label. The access software — VAX Access Control — is also distinctively branded and will display connected reader models in the hardware configuration menu.
Vicon’s compatibility with standard Wiegand 26-bit also means that any Wiegand-output reader deployed alongside VAX controllers will work with the same card format. If your building uses a mix of reader brands on a VAX panel, all of them read the same 26-bit H10301 credential data.
Are Vicon VAX Proximity Cards Cloneable?
Vicon VAX standard proximity credentials carry no encryption. The 125 kHz card stores and transmits its facility code and card number in the open Wiegand format, and that data can be read and reproduced with commercially available RFID tools. For the purposes of ordering compatible replacement cards, this is straightforward: you provide the facility code and card number, and we program cards that work identically to the originals.
If your organization requires a higher level of credential security, Vicon VAX controllers support 13.56 MHz smart card readers. Smart credentials — such as MIFARE DESFire with AES encryption — are not reproducible by third parties and would require re-enrollment through your access control integrator. For those readers, aftermarket compatible options are limited, and the honest answer is that no third-party supplier can replicate encrypted smart credentials without the issuer’s cryptographic keys.
For the standard 125 kHz VAX proximity format covered in this guide, compatible cards are fully available without restriction.
Vicon VAX vs. Standard 26-Bit: How They Compare
It is worth being direct about what makes Vicon VAX credentials unique — and what does not.
| Attribute | Vicon VAX VAX-CRD-SD | Standard 26-Bit HID Prox |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency | 125 kHz | 125 kHz |
| Bit format | 26-bit H10301 | 26-bit H10301 |
| Facility code range | 1–255 | 1–255 |
| Card number range | 1–65,535 | 1–65,535 |
| Encryption | None | None |
| Reader requirement | Vicon VAX readers or any Wiegand 26-bit reader | Any Wiegand 26-bit reader |
| Aftermarket availability | Low — almost no non-OEM suppliers | High — widely available |
The credential format is identical to a standard HID H10301 26-bit card. The only reason non-OEM Vicon VAX cards are hard to find is that Vicon is a niche brand and most generic prox card suppliers do not bother listing their products as VAX-compatible, even though they are. American Key Cards explicitly stocks and programs credentials for Vicon VAX installations.
What Information You Need to Order
Before placing an order, gather the following:
Facility code — Also called a site code. This is typically a number between 1 and 255 printed on your existing card label, often alongside a longer card number. It may also be in your VAX software under the credential or card record. Your installer’s documentation should include it.
Card number range — The individual card numbers you need programmed. If you are replacing a specific lost card, you need that card’s number. If you are ordering a batch for new employees or tenants, specify the range you want assigned.
Quantity and form factor — Standard clamshell cards are the most common choice. Key fobs are available for those who prefer a keyring credential. Both are programmed to your facility code and card number range.
If you are starting fresh on a VAX system and do not have existing credentials on file, your VAX Access Control software will show the facility code in the site or hardware configuration section. Your original installer documentation is the most reliable source.
See our how it works page for a full walkthrough of the ordering process.
Compatible Readers
Cards and fobs from American Key Cards are compatible with all Vicon VAX proximity readers configured for standard 26-bit H10301 Wiegand output, including:
- Vicon VAX-300R 125 kHz proximity reader
- Vicon VAX-500R long-range 125 kHz proximity reader
- Vicon VAX-600KP proximity reader with keypad
Because the credential format is standard Wiegand, these cards also work with any other 26-bit Wiegand-compatible reader installed on a VAX panel, regardless of brand.
Why Non-OEM Cards Cost Less
Vicon sells its branded credentials through authorized security integrators and access control dealers. That distribution model adds margin at multiple steps before the card reaches the end user. The underlying technology — a standard 125 kHz Wiegand proximity IC — is widely manufactured and not unique to any brand.
American Key Cards sources compatible components directly and programs them in-house. There is no dealer channel between us and you. The resulting price difference is significant, particularly for bulk replacement orders where facility managers are replacing dozens or hundreds of cards.
If you need a related format and are comparing options, see our guides to standard HID Prox H10301 cards and Farpointe Pyramid proximity credentials — two other standard-Wiegand formats where the same compatible-by-specification approach applies.
For Vicon VAX installations where access is managed through the Kantech or similar integrated platforms, our Kantech ioProx format guide is also worth reviewing if you operate mixed-brand infrastructure.
Ordering Vicon VAX Compatible Cards
To place an order or confirm compatibility for your specific VAX installation, visit our contact page. Provide your facility code, the card number range you need, your preferred form factor (clamshell card or key fob), and the quantity. We will confirm compatibility, quote the order, and ship programmed credentials ready for immediate enrollment in your VAX Access Control system.
There is no minimum order requirement, no dealer registration, and no need to involve your original installer for a straightforward credential reorder.
Frequently asked questions
What card format do Vicon VAX systems use?
Vicon VAX proximity readers use standard 125 kHz Wiegand protocol, most commonly in the 26-bit H10301 format. VAX controllers also support custom Wiegand formats, but the overwhelming majority of installations run on standard 26-bit with a facility code between 1 and 255 and a card number between 1 and 65,535. This is an open, well-documented format — not a proprietary one.
Can I use a non-OEM card in a Vicon VAX reader?
Yes. Vicon VAX-300R, VAX-500R, and VAX-600KP readers accept any standard 125 kHz Wiegand card programmed with the correct facility code and card number. The reader does not authenticate the card brand or origin — it reads the data encoded on the credential. American Key Cards supplies compatible 26-bit cards that work as plug-and-play replacements.
What information do I need before ordering Vicon VAX replacement cards?
You need your facility code and the card number range you want programmed. Both are typically printed on your existing card label (usually as a two-number combination, such as 123/45678), available in your VAX software under the credential record, or on file with your original installer. If you cannot locate your facility code, contact us — we can extract it from a working card you send us.
Are Vicon VAX proximity cards cloneable or encrypted?
Standard Vicon VAX proximity credentials operate at 125 kHz with no cryptographic protection. The facility code and card number data can be read and reproduced. For organizations requiring stronger access control, Vicon VAX controllers also support 13.56 MHz smart card readers, which offer significantly better clone resistance. If your system uses only the 125 kHz proximity readers, your current credential format is not encrypted.
