Card Reader

[PhoenixUK]

I'm in need of a new card reader as my current one is doing my head in. I don't even think it's USB 2.0 and it's taking about 20 minutes to empty a 4GB CF card. When I've usually got 3-4 to empty after a day that's just too long.

I was thinking of getting the Sandisk Extreme Firewire reader because I've read that it's very fast but I can only find it reviewed with Sandisk Extreme IV cards. Will it still be as fast with my Ultra II's or will I need to upgrade my cards too?

Plus, the images mainly go on to an external drive which is USB 2.0. Will this completely negate the speed advantage of Firewire? If so, what's a good USB 2.0 reader?

Thanks guys

 

[rsloman]

I picked up one of these recently http://www.dabs.com/products/kingston-usb-2-0-hi-speed-19-in-1-5K9T.html?refs=50543

Does the job, copies over an 8gb card in about 10 minutes or so through my laptop to an external drive. I've no experience of firewire readers but I suspect it'll still be limited to how fast the data can be read from the card.

 

[mikeyboy98]

try theses people i use them all the time and they are good

http://www.memorybits.co.uk/categories/xd-cards/761

mike

 

[Craikeybaby]

Don't USB drives share the bandwidth (and processor usage) with other USB devices? So moving USB to USB would be slower, than say USB to FW or FW to USB.

 

[Steep]

Plus, the images mainly go on to an external drive which is USB 2.0. Will this completely negate the speed advantage of Firewire? If so, what's a good USB 2.0 reader?

I think Craikeybaby is right or at least your transfers will only go as fast as your USB drive can handle, go for any Sandisk USB reader and you won't be disappointed.

 

[PhoenixUK]

Don't USB drives share the bandwidth (and processor usage) with other USB devices? So moving USB to USB would be slower, than say USB to FW or FW to USB.

Overclocked Quad core processor shouldn't have too much trouble sharing itself between drives

I'll probably just pick up a USB2.0 reader then and save myself £50.