Fast memory card reader wanted [Archive]

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jhob

09-07-2007, 09:21

I currently use the memory card reader built into my HP printer and also have a small USB compact flash reader that I take around with me. My problem is that they are both rather painfully slow at transferring the images to my pc - about 20-30mins for a 2GB card.

I use sandisk extreme III 2GB cards pretty much exclusively. Can anyone recommend a reasonably priced card reader that would speed up transfer times and take advantage of the extreme III's extra speed?

mho

09-07-2007, 09:27

sandisk do a USB 2 model made for the extreme range about £12

inophoto

09-07-2007, 09:27

A USB2 card reader will speed up your upload times significantly. You can get them from ebay dirt cheap, but I have found them to be unreliable.

Jacobs have a good selection, i got one for about 8 quid and it will take pretty much any card you can throw at it. Stay clear of Jessops though, they charge a fortune for them.

09-07-2007, 09:56

jhob

09-07-2007, 10:04

I do have firewire so that is an option. The price of that reader puts me off though. I'm tempted to go with the cheaper sandisk reader but only if it's going to deliver the goods speedwise. Think I'll do a bit of research on the net about it.

09-07-2007, 10:06

You'll definitely see a significant speed increase if you go with USB 2.

Marcel

09-07-2007, 11:11

You can even get a cheap USB2 reader from Asda or Tesco that will significantly increase your speed for a couple of quid.

mho

09-07-2007, 12:14

Sandisk also now do an Extreme Firewire card reader (if your PC supports Firewire) which is compatible with all Sandisk Extreme cards including the latest Extreme1V, with a transfer rate of up to 40mb a minute.

I may well go this route myself. Dunno if this is the best price - I haven't really had a good search yet.

CLICK (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270134209823)

the Sandisk Extreme firewire reader is superb I have one for use on my MAC and the speed is fast very fast, I bought mine from ebay for £20 (new boxed and sealed) a long time ago but they can be had for around £30 (new boxed and sealed) if you shop around.

BUT their is one thing to consider if your going to use it with a laptop etc, is the firewire port must be of the powered bus variety, if it isnt it wont work, mac laptops are all ok, but the majority of PC laptops dont have powered firewire bus, only the USB is powered.

09-07-2007, 12:18

Make sure your PC has USB2 ports, and that you are using them (many PCs about 2 years old will have both USB1.1 ports and USB2 ports on the motherboard). If you only have USB1.1 ports, then your USB2 reader will revert to USB1.1 functionality and speed. You may also need motherboard drivers to release the full functionality of the USB2 ports.

HTH

09-07-2007, 23:13

the Sandisk Extreme firewire reader is superb I have one for use on my MAC and the speed is fast very fast, I bought mine from ebay for £20 (new boxed and sealed) a long time ago but they can be had for around £30 (new boxed and sealed) if you shop around.

BUT their is one thing to consider if your going to use it with a laptop etc, is the firewire port must be of the powered bus variety, if it isnt it wont work, mac laptops are all ok, but the majority of PC laptops dont have powered firewire bus, only the USB is powered.

Thanks for the headsup Mark, but I try to avoid laptops. I just run two desktops. :)

mho

10-07-2007, 00:52

Thanks for the headsup Mark, but I try to avoid laptops. I just run two desktops. :)

I only use a laptop when I'm away from home to check and store the pic's, as I cant do with the crap quality of the displays, but the new Apple macbookpro with the LED screen looks intresting, but I probably wont use it enough to warrant purchasing it.

Sandisk Extreme Firewire reader £ 31 from Amazon

jhob

10-07-2007, 07:16

I was just about to buy the extreme firewire reader when I found the extreme usb reader for £12.49. Anyone have experience with it? I reckon I'm going to get that one now as from the reviews (anecdotally) it sounds almost as fast as the extreme firewire and is under half the price.

Link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/SanDisk-SDDRX3-3IN1-902-Extreme-USB-reader/dp/B000L453BQ/ref=pd_luc_02302B000L97K44B000L453BQ/202-8414344-9243006

jhob

10-07-2007, 07:38

Card reader tests here (http://diglloyd.com/diglloyd/free/CardReaders/CardReaders.html) give an interesting run-down on the relative merits of various firewire and usb card readers.

Les McLean

10-07-2007, 08:13

I picked up this Sandisk reader from Asda for around £15
Works well for me. I did have a sandisk firewire reader, but is incompatible with Vista.

http://www.lesmclean.co.uk/IP/12in1-reader-wcards.jpg