Search MilitaryCAC:

Site Map

MilitaryCAC.com logo

.com | .us | .ml  | .mobi | .net | .org


The Definitive Source for Everything CAC

Common Access Card help for your
Personal Computer

 

Make a Donation button image

 

 

STEP 1a & 2a:  USB EXTERNAL CAC READERS

Installation Steps

Step 1: Obtain a CAC Reader
Step 2: CAC Reader driver
Step 3: DoD Certificates
Step 4: ActivClient
Step 4a: Update ActivClient
Step 5: IE adjustments
Log into a CAC enabled webpage now to test
 
 

 

 Click the images below each reader to find online businesses selling the CAC reader you desire

 

ONCE YOU'VE DECIDED WHICH READER YOU WANT TO PURCHASE OR DOWNLOADED THE DRIVER, PROCEED TO STEP 3

 

 

A little bit of information / history:  Not all CAC readers are created equal.  This page shows over 45 different model CAC readers available.  You will only see readers that I have tested and will recommend to you on this page (Except for the Non-Supported (old) readers section). 

 

Due to Amazon terminating my affiliate account, I have chosen to NOT link to Amazon on this website.

 

 

CAC Reader Manufacturers (listed alphabetically):

 

 +iD  | 90meterACS/ACR  |  ActivIdentity   |  Akasa  |  Belkin  |  Cherry  |  CP Technologies  |  DigiScan  | Eafer-Tech  |  GemPlus/Gemalto  |  HID  |  Identive (formerly SCM Microsystems)  | IOGear  |  Litronic  |  Manhattan  |  NetSign  |  Omnikey  | OPluz |  Advanced Card Systems  |  Rocketek  |  SAICOO  |  Schlumberger  |  SIIG  |  SMK-LINK  |  Stanley Global  |  Unotron  |  Zoweetek  |  Zvetco  |  Un-Supported (OLD) readers

 

NOTICE:  The links to vendors / products is an attempt to save you time searching for the specific item, by linking you directly to the item shown.  You will notice I have multiple [when I can find] vendors to choose from.  I have no personal preference as to who you decide to purchase from.  I am not endorsing any particular product or vendor, I'm merely informing you what works and places you can purchase a CAC reader from.

 

USB Type-C CAC Readers

 

 

Identive (formerly SCM Microsystems) SCR Readers

Picture of SCR3310 USB CAC reader

 SCR-3310 v2 CAC reader driver

Mac Friendly [10.5 - 12.x] Mac driver

Note:  This model is sold at MCX / NEX / PX & BX and works with all versions of Windows

NOTE2:  Mac OS 11.x would not read the "G+D FIPS 201 SCE 7.0" or "GEMALTO DLGX4 128Kv2" CAC with this reader with firmware Version below 6.02 and the Mac driver above.  So, if your reader is below 6.02, you may need to purchase a new reader.

Stop Gap CAC image 

  SCB logo  TXSystems logo 

 

 

Picture of SCR-331 USB CAC Reader

SCR-331 CAC reader use driver located here sometimes you will need this driver

Mac Friendly [10.4 - 10.15.3 (NOT 10.15.4)]

If this reader does not initially work on your Windows 10 / 8.1, or Mac computer you may need to update the firmware

NOTE:  You must have firmware 5.25 to read the G+D FIPS 201 SCE 7.0 CAC or GEMALTO DLGX4 128Kv2 CAC.

Stop Gap CAC image

NOTE:  Some Mac users are having problems with this old reader.  If you are going to purchase a CAC reader, and have a Mac, we recommend the SCR-3310 v2 (above), or SCR-3500 (below).

  .

This reader is no longer sold by the Vendor


 

 

SCR-3500 Smart fold mini USB Smart Card Reader

Mac Friendly [10.4 - 10.15, 11.xx, & 12.x.x]

Note: There is another SCR-3500 reader being sold with a Part number different from the original 905141 (sometimes shows as SCR3500A P/N:905430-1).  If you are a Mac user, install this updated driver Hold the control key [on your keyboard] when clicking the .pkg file [with your mouse], select [the word] Open

    SCB logo 

 

 

 

SCR-3311 image

 

SCR-3311 Heavy base USB Smart Card (CAC) Reader driver

Mac Friendly [10.5.x - 10.15.x] (NOT Tiger 10.4))

NOTE:  Mac OS 11.x would not read the "G+D FIPS 201 SCE 7.0" CAC, or "GEMALTO DLGX4 128Kv2" CAC with this reader with firmware Version 5.18.  I am unaware of any firmware updates, you may need to purchase a new reader.

Stop Gap CAC image

 

 

 

 

identive cloud 2700 reader  image 

Identive Cloud 2700 R / uTrust 2700R Smart Card Reader

Mac [10.5 - 10.15] friendly (might need this update)

Does NOT work with Windows 8.1

Does not work with Chrome OS

  SmartCardFocus Logo

 

 

 

 

SCR-335 Reader image 

SCR-335 USB Smart Card Reader Driver

Mac [10.5 - 10.15] friendly (might need this update)

NOT Mac compatible on OS 13 Ventura

Works on Chrome OS

 

 

 

 

SCR-301 CAC Reader

NOT Mac compatible

Look below

 

 

IOGear Readers

IOGEAR model GSR202 USB Smart Card Reader  Driver  (GSR201Driver)

NOTE:  If your reader is older than May 2019, it will not work with the G+D FIPS 201 SCE 7.0 or GEMALTO DLGX4 128Kv2 CAC.  You can validate the readers age by reading the very tiny Serial number, and looking for a serial # of: OU95USC6201609 or newer (the 95 translates to 2019May).  If it meets the criteria above, IOGear will replace it, but you have to contact them.  They will work out a plan to ship your reader to them and they will send you a replacement ONLY IF your reader is within their warranty period. The replacement they sent me works with the G+D FIPS 201 SCE 7.0 CAC.  It seems to me that it would be quicker for you to purchase a different reader.  But, if you have the time to wait, feel free to contact them.

Stop Gap CAC image

Mac Friendly [10.5 - 10.15] (NOT Tiger (10.4))

Does NOT work with Chrome OS  My SN is OU06 (2020June)

 

  

 

.

GSR203 image

IOGear model GSR203

NOTE:  If your reader is older than May 2019, it will not work with the G+D FIPS 201 SCE 7.0 or GEMALTO DLGX4 128Kv2 CAC. 

Stop Gap CAC image

Mac Friendly [10.5 - 10.15] (NOT Tiger (10.4))

DOES work with Chrome OS (My SN is OU28 (2012August))

 

 

 

GSR202V image

IOGear model GSR202V

Mac Friendly [10.5 - 10.15] (NOT Tiger (10.4))

NOTE:  If your reader is older than May 2019, it will not work with the G+D FIPS 201 SCE 7.0 or GEMALTO DLGX4 128Kv2 CAC.  You can validate the readers age by reading the very tiny Serial number, and looking for a serial # of: OU95USC6201609 or newer (the 95 translates to 2019May).  If it meets the criteria above, IOGear will replace it, but you have to contact them.  They will work out a plan to ship your reader to them and they will send you a replacement ONLY IF your reader is within their warranty period. The replacement they sent me works with the G+D FIPS 201 SCE 7.0 CAC.  It seems to me that it would be quicker for you to purchase a different reader.  But, if you have the time to wait, feel free to contact them.

Stop Gap CAC image

DOES work with Chrome OS (My SN is OU28 (2012August))

 

 

 

Stanley Global Readers

 

SGT-111 USB CAC Reader

Stanley Global Model SGT111 USB Smart Card Reader 32bitDriver  64bitDriver

Mac [10.5 - 10.14] friendly with this update (not needed for 10.15)

NOT compatible with Chromebooks

More information regarding this CAC Reader

   Stanley Global Logo

 

 

image of SGT114 USB CAC Reader

Stanley Global Model SGT114 Smart Card Reader  32bitDriver  64bitDriver

Mac [10.5 - 10.7] friendly with this update (NOT Tiger 10.4

Mac [10.8 - 10.14] friendly with this update (not needed for 10.15)

More information regarding this CAC & multi memory SIM Card Reader

   Stanley Global Logo

 

 

 

image of SGT117 USB CAC Reader

 Stanley Global Model SGT117 USB Smart Card Reader  Driver

Mac [10.5 - 10.14] friendly with this update (not needed for 10.15)

 Stanley Global Logo

 

 

image of SGT118 USB CAC Reader

Stanley Global Model SGT118 USB Smart Card Reader  Driver

Mac [10.5 - 10.14] friendly with this update (not needed for 10.15)

Will read the G+D FIPS 201 SCE 7.0 CAC

NOT compatible with Chromebooks

  Stanley Global Logo

 

 

 

SGT119XM USB-C CAC Reader

Stanley Global Model SGT119XM USB-C Smart Card Reader

Mac Friendly [unknown] none of my Macs have USB type C

Stanley Global Logo 

   

 

 

 

image of SGT121 USB CAC Reader

Stanley Global Model SGT121 USB Smart Card Reader, Multi-Memory, SDXC, SIM Reader with 3-Port USB Hub  Driver

Mac [10.5 - 10.14] friendly with this update (not needed for 10.15)

More information regarding this CAC Reader

  Stanley Global Logo

 

 

 

SGT-122 CAC reader image

Stanley Global Model SGT122 USB Smart Card Reader 81-In-One Multi-Memory and Phone SIM Card Reader / Writer / Editor

Mac [10.5 - 10.8] friendly with this update (NOT Tiger 10.4)

Mac [10.8 - 10.14] friendly with this update (not needed for 10.15)

More information regarding this CAC Reader

   Stanley Global Logo

   

.Stanley Global iAll

Stanley Global Model SGTiAll USB Smart Card Reader

Mac [10.5 - 10.14] friendly with this update (not needed for 10.15)

More information regarding this CAC Reader

Stanley Global Logo

.

.

 

Belkin Readers

Belkin F1DN005U USB Smart Card Reader image

F1DN005U USB Smart Card Reader  PDF

Mac Friendly [10.5.x - 10.15.x, 11.xx] (NOT Tiger (10.4))

This reader will show up as an SCR-3310 USB Smart Card Reader in Windows device manager

It does read the G+D FIPS 201 SCE 7.0 & GEMALTO DLGX4 128Kv2 CAC

 

 

 

 

 

F1DN008Utt USB

Mac Friendly [10.5.x - 10.15.x, 11.xx] (NOT Tiger (10.4))
NOT compatible with Chromebooks

This reader will show up as Microsoft Usbccid Smartcard Reader (WUDF) in Windows device manager

It does read the G+D FIPS 201 SCE 7.0 & GEMALTO DLGX4 128Kv2 CAC

 

 

 

 

Eafer-Tech

 

 

Mac friendly

Not Chrome OS friendly

 

ECR1 USB CAC Smart Card Reader with USB type-A 3.0 to USB Type-C adaptor included, multi-card reader supporting SD/SDXC/MMC/M2/Sim cards / Micro-SD and 3 each USB 2.0 ports.

 

Search for:  ECR1 DOD Military CAC Smart Card Reader on Amazon 

 

 

 

HID / Omnikey / ActivIdentity Readers

 

Picture of Omnikey CAC reader

Omnikey 3021 USB Smart Card CAC Reader

Mac friendly after this update download the "OMNIKIEY 5X2X, 3X21 PCSC FOR MAC OS X" Only needed for 10.8 and older, 10.9.x and newer do not need to download driver

  

 

 

Omnikey 3121 CAC reader 

Omnikey 3121 USB Smart Card CAC Reader

Mac friendly after this update download the "Omnikey 3x21 PC/SC CCID Driver for Mac OS X" Only needed for 10.8 and older, 10.9.x and newer do not need to download driver

NOTE: This reader would not read my CAC on Mac OS Catalina, it did work with Mac OS Big Sur

  

 

 

HID Omnikey 5321 image

HID OMNIKEY Cardman 5321 USB CAC Reader driver

Mac friendly after this update download the "Omnikey 5x2x PC/SC Driver for Mac OS X" Only needed for 10.8 and older, 10.9.x and newer do not need to download driver

 

 

Please know:  HID has abandoned support of ActivIdentity Branded Readers

 

 

Advanced Card Systems (ACS) Readers

 

ACR3801 image

 

ACR3801 USB Smart Card Reader

Mac friendly after this update

NOT ChromeOS compatible

 

.

.

ACR-38 USB Smart Card Reader

 

ACR38 USB Smart Card Reader

Mac friendly after this update

  

This reader is no longer sold by the Vendor

 

 

ACR38 Pocket Mate Smart Card reader image

ACR39U-N1 Power Zone Pocket Smart Card Reader

NOTE: Will not work with the G+D FIPS 201 SCE 7.0 CAC or GEMALTO DLGX4 128Kv2 CAC.

Stop Gap CAC image

Information from manufacturer (including drivers)

Mac friendly after this update (except when using Firefox)

 

 

 

 

 

ACR39 CAC Reader

 

ACR39 USB Smart Card Reader (Also known as Patrionics ACR39U-H1 & ACR39U-I1 via AAFES)

Mac friendly after this update

ChromeOS friendly

NOTE:  Would not read G+D FIPS 201 SCE 3.2 or 7.0 CAC on Windows 10

 SCB logo  

 

 

Akasa Reader

AK-CR-03BKV2

  

 

 

Rocketek / Opluz Zoweetek Readers

 

Rocketek SCR-1 CAC Reader 

 

RT-SCR1 Smart Card Reader

Not Chrome OS friendly

 

.

.

Rocketek multi reader

USB Smart Card Reader 

(Rocketek RT-SCR10)

(Opluz model OPM610)

Does NOT read CAC in Windows 11, 10, 8.1, or Mac

 

 

 

90meter Readers

 

Hades III

MacOS friendly

ChromeOS friendly

 

To purchase, call:  714-466-6055  https://90meter.com/product4.shtml

 

 

GemPlus / Gemalto Readers

 

Gemalto IDBridgeCT40 CAC Reader

 

Gemalto IDBridge CT40 Smart Card reader 

I do not have one to test

 

 

 

Image of GemPlus USB-SW CAC Reader

GemPlus USB-SW Smart Card Reader   32bitDriver   64bitDriver

Mac 10.4 Friendly with driver update (10.5 & above have native support built in). 

A Soldier could not get it to work, so, he purchased an SCR-331

 

This reader is no longer sold by the Vendor

.

 

GemPC Twin USB Smart Card Reader drivers

Mac Friendly [10.3 - 10.15] update "may" be needed (only for 10.3-10.4)

 

 

 

Cherry Reader

 

Cherry ST-1044 CAC reader image

Cherry ST-1044 USB Smart Card CAC reader driver (alternate driver) (Windows) Instructions

Mac 10.7 & above have native support built in (10.5 & 10.6 need this update)

   

This reader is no longer sold by the Vendor or Amazon

 

 

 

Zvetco Reader

 

Zvetco C500 CAC reader

 

Zvetco Verifi C500 All Metal SmartCard Reader

Mac Friendly

This reader will show up as an SCR-3310v2 in device manager

.

This reader is no longer sold by the Vendor or Amazon

 

.

+iD Reader

.

+ID reader  +ID reader #2

+iD The World's Smallest ID Card Reader

Mac friendly

.

  +id logo

..

.

CP Technologies Reader

 

ClearLinks CL-UC-200 image

ClearLinks CL-UC-200 Smart Card Reader

.

NOTE: You can purchase this reader from a lot of different vendors, but the manufacturer doesn't list this reader on their suite to offer support.  Use at own risk

NOT Mac friendly

 

 

 

 

SIIG Reader

SIIG JU-CR0012-S1 Reader image 

SIIG JU-CR0012-S1 USB 2.0 Smart Card Reader

Mac friendly only up to 10.15.3 with this update)

.

 

.

.

DigiScan Reader

DS-C303 USB  Smart Card Reader

Mac friendly

.

This reader is no longer sold by the Vendor or Amazon

 

.

 

SAICOO Readers

.

SAICOO CAC Reader 

 DoD Military USB CAC Smart Card Reader

Mac friendly

Not Chrome OS friendly

 

 

 

SAICOO 2-in-1 reader

Portable 2-in-1 DOD/CAC SmartCard Reader and TF/Micros SD card reader

Mac friendly

Chrome OS friendly

 

 

Insert Card image 

.

.

 

 

SAICOO Desktop reader 

DOD Military USB Common Access CAC Smart Card Reader (Vertical Version) 

Mac friendly

Not Chrome OS friendly

 

 

.

SMK-LINK Reader

.

SMK-Link VP3805 CAC Reader image 

VP3805 USB Smart Card Reader

Mac friendly

 

 

.

 

 

"Antique" Readers

The manufacturers have abandoned support for these readers. 

Use at your own risk!!

.

.

The CAC readers below "might" work with Windows XP but NOT Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, or Mac OS X.  This is partly because they will not read the PIV II CACs (GEMALTO TOP DL GX4 144, GEMALTO DLGX4-A 144, G&D FIPS 201 SCE 3.2, and Oberthur ID One 128 v5.5 Dual) and they [the manufacturers] haven't provided any firmware updates to read the newer CACs.

.

The simplest solution is for you is to get a modern vendor supported CAC reader above this section

.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

ActivIdentity Readers

ActivIdentity V3 Reader

 

ActivCard / ActivIdentity V3 Smart Card reader

Being told it is Mac friendly although the manufacturer does not show any support for this reader on Macs

 

 

ActivCard / ActivIdentity V2 CAC reader 

ActivCard V2 Smart Card reader driver

NOT Mac friendly (2 different Navy personnel have tweaked the firmware update for an SCR-331 and found an old XP computer to update the firmware from).  They have never sent me a "How - To."  I recommend you find a different reader on this page that is compatible with your OS.

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Cherry

.

.

Cherry ST-1000U USB Smart Card Reader

NOT Mac friendly

If you have the time, and want to play with updating drivers and such, you download a driver from https://www.hidglobal.com/drivers/14901  The Windows XP (64-bit) drivers supposedly will work with newer versions of Windows including 10.

See more at:  http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-hardware/cherry-smart-card-reader-stu-1000/975502f7-6b96-4e2f-960a-ea2e05474a34?auth=1

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

.

DataKey

.

DataKey DKR830

.

DataKey DKR830 Smart Card Reader

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Gemalto

 

GemPC 430 driver support for Windows XP and older

NOT Mac friendly (according to manufacturer website)

.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

.

Litronic / Netsign

.

NetSign215 USB CAC Reader

Litronic / Netsign 215 USB CAC reader driver (alternate driver)

NOT Mac friendly (according to manufacturer's website)

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Schlumberger

 

The Schlumberger CAC reader below is here only for driver support.  I do not recommend you purchase this CAC reader unless you are not planning on using a computer newer than Windows XP.  This means it won't work on Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, or Vista as it is an old reader with NO support from the vendor.

Picture of Schlumberger Reflex v2 CAC Reader

Schlumberger ReflexV2  Driver (installation instructions on CAC drivers page)

Alternate installation file (installation instructions are in the .html file inside the zipped file)

NOT Mac friendly

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

.

Unotron Reader

 

Unotron SAC2 CAC reader

 

Unotron SpillSeal SAC2 - Washable Smart Card Reader (drivers)

I do not have one to test

Manufacturer website shows NO Mac compatibility

.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

.

Identive (formerly SCM Microsystems)

 

sdi010 CAC reader image

SDI010 / SDI011 Contactless Smart Card Reader driver

NOTE:  I was not able to figure out how to make the contactless part work, just the regular CAC slot

Mac friendly after this update for Leopard and Snow Leopard (NOT Tiger(10.4.11), or Lion (10.7 and above)

 

 

SCR-301 USB CAC reader (driver)

According to the Identive's website driver download page, it will not work on anything newer than XP

NOT Mac friendly

 

 

SCR-111 Serial CAC reader

According to the Identive's driver download page, it will not work on anything newer than XP

Also, due to the fact that most computers do not have serial ports or use PS2 keyboards anymore, this reader is useless for modern computers.  The manufacturer has not provided any updates to be able to use with the PIV II CACs or use with Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, or Vista. 

NOT Mac friendly 

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Manhattan Reader

 

Manhattan CAC reader

Manhattan 172844 USB CAC reader driver (Windows 7) Instructions

NOT Mac friendly, or Windows 10

 Google Products logo

 

 

SCB Solutions sells CAC readers and has a full time person to provide support to their customers

 

If you live in the UK, you can purchase CAC readers from SmartCardFocus

 

Alternate driver download locations:

 

Identive (formerly SCM Microsystems)

 

HID Global

 

 

 

 

OTHER TYPES OF READERS TO CONSIDER

 

External USB type C CAC reader

ACR-39U-NF USB type C CAC Reader

 

Desktop computer reader

Desktop computer CAC reader image

 

USB keyboards with built-in CAC reader

CAC enabled keyboard image

 

Laptop CAC reader (PCMCIA, ExpressCard, USB)

Laptop CAC reader image

 
If you have questions or suggestions for this site, contact Michael J. Danberry

Disclaimer

 

ACRONYM Reference Page

 

GoDaddy Site Certified seal

 

Make a Donation button image

Last Update or Review:  Saturday, 20 January 2024 20:27 hrs

 

The following domain names all resolve to the same website:  ChiefsCACSite.com, CommonAccessCard.us, CommonAccessCard.info, & ChiefGeek.us