Card readers

[smac]

Seems like all card readers are not created equal. I have a (cheapish) USB "Pocket Reader" for my Compact Flash Cards but it takes forever to download NEF images. Downloading direct from the camera by USB is 2-3 times quicker than the card reader but it burns up battery power!

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good quality FAST card reader?

Cheers

Stuart

[Aussie Dave]

I have, and have only ever used, the Sandisk 6-in-1 USB2 cardreader.

I've never compared it to anything but it seems fast enough for my liking.

I think Sandisk have superseeded this model with the 8-in-1 ?!?

[spada]

Hi Stuart
Make sure the card reader writer is using USB2 interface, not USB1.1 or lower, and make sure that your computer has USB2 ports, the one more than a few year old normally has USB 1 or 1.1, to check that your comp has USB2 or not just click on Control Panel, then click System, then select HARDWARE and click on DIVICE MANAGER, scroll down to "universal Bus Controller" If you see Standard ENHANCED PCI to USB hoist controller that mean your comp support USB2.
But if your computer has USB2 and with SP1 or SP2 and you plug a USB1 in, it will warn you that a slower device has been connected to higher speed port.

Hope that help

regards
Spada

[big pix]

if your system has fire wire you could look at Lexar fire wire card reader and others

[birddog114]

smac,
All card readers are not equal! next visit you may pick one up from me and try, perhaps it'll change.

[Onyx]

Stuart, it seems you have a perchant for the very finest things (X5, D2X, 85/1.4, etc). So with that in mind, I would recommend the Lexar firewire compact flash card reader for you (model RW019). All Macs support firewire, so there's your fastest interface.

If you were to go USB - as mentioned there's the 1.1 and 2.0 standards. Not all USB2 media readers are the same either. Most are badge-engineered and sourced from the lowest bidder, as most consumers are only worried about paying the lowest price and looking at marketable specs/numbers. Personally I never trust generic branded anything - even if the sales people insist it's made in the same factory alongside the brandnames.
There is a specific controller, Genesys Logic GL819 which excells in performance when matched with the right CF cards. This controller interface is only available on select higher end media card readers.

[Antsl]

I recently bought the Lexar Firewire card reader, paid $45 for it and I have to say it is a very good investment. I am editing off the cards and when I do download it is taking me about 2 minutes per 1gig of download. Its also small enough to throw in the laptop bag and travel with witthout feeling like you are carrying too much extra weight and gear!

[spartikus]

I use the same 6-in-1 reader that Dave recommended - it's super fast and reliable, I use it with Sandisk II 1GB cards and it's worked flawlessly. Picked up without any hassles in Mac OS X as well!

[birddog114]

Many members have the 7in1 Transcend card reader USB 2.0 and it seems to me they're happy with it. For $26.00, I can't see any damages!

[Dougie]

Stuart if you start using the faster CF cards there have been reports of the slower usb 1 card readers not working. I had to buy a newer usb card reader when I gat an extreme cf card as my built in card reader in my lap top would not read it. as I only use cf that was all I bought Sandisk sddr-91 downloads a 512 card in less than 1 minute
Doug

[LostDingo]

Stuart, I have one of the SANDISk 12-1 and reading the Sandisk Extreme cards is very good.

[ozczecho]

Many members have the 7in1 Transcend card reader USB 2.0 and it seems to me they're happy with it. For $26.00, I can't see any damages!

Where can you buy such a beast?

Cheers

ozczecho

[birddog114]

Many members have the 7in1 Transcend card reader USB 2.0 and it seems to me they're happy with it. For $26.00, I can't see any damages!

Where can you buy such a beast?

Cheers

ozczecho

It was from the man whom you have met.

[Heath Bennett]

smac, the way I see it firewire is your best bet for speed, being a mac man. There is only one thing that is faster, the cardbus32 PC to CF card adapter. The main problem being it only works with PC slots in laptops (MAC and PC), while the firewire one will work for desktops and laptops. The biggest advantage of the USB 2 readers is that if you find yourself needing to use it anywhere (when your MACs aren't around), USB is way more universal as almost all computers have USB (the ones that don't won't be able to open your D2x files!)