Memory card reader

[Funkstar]

If you don't have a good one, go get one.

I've only really used generis multi card readers, either stand alone ones or included in laptops or my 24" Dell.

What a (literal) waste of time! Their performance is terrible, just tested one at it gets about 2MB/sec from a Sandisk Extreme IV CompactFlash card. What a joke. My 350D writes faster than that.

So last thursday I went on the hunt for a decent card reader. I looked at the Sandisk profesional dual card reader, but couldn't find it in stock for a decent price. Eventually settled on the Lexar Professional UDMA Dual-Slot card reader. I only use SD and CF, so these apart from these 684-in-1 readers being a gimic (there are only 5 card formats, 7 if you include SDHC and MCHC) they are also pointless for me.

On my laptop the Lexar is able to do about 20MB/sec from my CompactFlash and about 10MB/sec from a Sandisk 'Video HD' branded SDHC UltraII. Looking forward to seeing if performance improves on my desktop.

And for once, I can recomend an eBay seller. Ordered it on Thursday (new years day), it was posted on Friday and I missed the delivery on Saturday. All for £23.50. In a way it's a shame he isn't a store, he was just a guy selling an un-used card reader.

[kalniel]

I use the one that came with my SD card (some Sandisk thing) - works very fast.

[Bobster]

get this Lexar card reader it is very quick, i use it at weddings on my laptop for pulling off the mornings photos for the slideshow and honeymoon book

in the office i use a SanDisk Firewire card reader

[Funkstar]

This is the one I got: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lexar-Profes...746498-1009339

I did think about the SanDisk Firewire, but it's twice what I payed for the Lexar and CF only.

[Bobster]

yeah i nearly bought that one, but the cheaper one is just as fast..

[GSte]

Got a free USB stick one with some SD cards from Play.com a while back... works a treat.

[kopite]

I bought a IcyBox IB-861

Havent checked the transfer rate yet though..

[Funkstar]

Transfer rates on my desktop are slightly higher than my laptop. CF goes about 25MB/sec and SD is just a shade over 10MB/sec instead of a shade under.