What is the difference between “Hi-co” and “Lo-co” readers and cards?
Basically, Hico and Loco are measures of how “strongly attached” the magnetic particles on the magstripe are. You can think of it as a measure of how strong of an outside magnetic field is needed to change/erase the magstripe. It is *NOT* a measure of the magnetic field the card itself has. Hico and Loco cards give off the exact same magnetic field. This is why readers cannot tell the difference. Most cards are Loco. Major credit cards are. This is why store will post things at the register about leaving your credit card on the Anti-theft pad. Most anti-theft devices work on magnetic fields, and that pad has a strong enough field to erase a Loco card. Loco cards are more likely to be erased by mistake, since the magnetic particles on the magstripe can easily be changed by an outside force. Hico cards are for hostile environments, with large magnetic and electrical fields. Think Assembly line, or mission critical government/military applications where you *have* to have the card work. O
