{"product_id":"mercury-mr50-s3-single-card-reader-interface-controller-compact-door","title":"MERCURY MR50-S3 Single Card Reader Interface Controller - Compact Door","description":"\u003cp\u003eOur review of the MERCURY MR50-S3 finds it a concise, practical controller for installers who need a small-footprint board that handles a single door reliably. The MR50-S3 is best for technicians and integrators seeking a compact interface that supports modern reader protocols without excess features. The single biggest reason to buy is its protocol flexibility: it accepts OSDP, Wiegand, clock\/data, magnetic stripe, F2F and keypad or biometric inputs, making it a versatile choice when pairing different reader types with HID Mercury intelligent controllers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e1 Reader Port:\u003c\/strong\u003e Supports up to two OSDP readers so installations requiring primary and secondary reader inputs are covered without extra hardware.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProtocol Flexibility:\u003c\/strong\u003e Accepts OSDP, Wiegand, clock\/data, magnetic stripe, F2F and supervised F2F to accommodate a wide range of legacy and modern readers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDoor I\/O:\u003c\/strong\u003e Provides the necessary relays and supervised inputs to control one door with tamper detection and multiple input points for sensors or switches.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompact Footprint:\u003c\/strong\u003e The small board size makes it easy to install in cramped backboxes or shallow enclosures where space is limited.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRS-485 Connectivity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Connects over RS-485 for clustering or distributed topologies, simplifying wiring for multi-panel systems.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEasy Integration:\u003c\/strong\u003e Designed to connect directly to HID Mercury intelligent controllers, streamlining integration into existing systems.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe MR50-S3 is aimed at security integrators, electricians and IT staff installing single-door access control where a compact interface is required. It is particularly useful in retrofit projects that mix reader technologies, since the board supports both legacy clock\/data and modern OSDP readers, enabling phased upgrades without replacing wiring or host controllers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is less appropriate for projects that need multi-door control from a single board or where on-board advanced logic and many auxiliary outputs are required; larger Mercury controllers would be a better fit in those cases.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSupports multiple reader protocols, offering flexibility during upgrades or mixed-reader deployments.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSmall footprint simplifies installation in tight enclosures and retrofit locations.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncludes required I\/O for a single door: relays, supervised inputs and tamper detection, reducing the need for extra modules.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRS-485 connection allows clustering or distributed topologies with HID Mercury controllers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLimited to control of a single door, so larger installations will require multiple boards or a different controller.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBrand\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMERCURY\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModel\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMR50-S3\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReader Ports\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1 port (supports up to 2 OSDP readers)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSupported Protocols\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOSDP, Wiegand, clock\/data, magnetic stripe, F2F, supervised F2F, keypad\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDoor Control\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eControls 1 door\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eI\/O\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3 inputs (2 general purpose, 1 dedicated tamper), 2 relays (1 x NO 5A @30VDC or NC 3A @30VDC, 1 x 2A @30VDC)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommunication\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRS-485\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe MERCURY MR50-S3 is a sensible, cost-effective choice for single-door access control when protocol compatibility and compact size matter. Integrators will appreciate the mix of supported reader interfaces and the included I\/O for a complete door solution, making it good value for retrofit and small installations that pair with HID Mercury controllers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan this board work with OSDP readers?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. The MR50-S3 supports OSDP and can accommodate up to two OSDP readers on its single reader port.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many doors can this controller manage?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is designed to control one door; larger installations will require additional MR50-S3 units or a multi-door controller.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it connect to Mercury controllers?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. The board easily connects to HID Mercury intelligent controllers via RS-485 for clustered or distributed deployments.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MERCURY","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48237589102811,"sku":"B0898F4HG3","price":376.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/71p3ETSfpGL._AC_SL1500.jpg?v=1770706858","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/mercury-mr50-s3-single-card-reader-interface-controller-compact-door","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}