SanDisk ImageMate 12-in-1 USB 2.0 Flash Memory Card Reader SDDR-89-A15
by SanDisk
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of SanDisk ImageMate 12-in-1 USB 2.0 Flash Memory Card Reader SDDR-89-A15
Customer Review: Works very well with one caveat
Summary: 5 Stars
Overall this is a great flash reader, but you need to be careful if you use both a USB 2.0 PC adapter card for a laptop and a high capacity flash memory card.
I was going to return this to Amazon because at first I couldn't get it to work with my Sandisk Ultra II 2gb card when connected to my laptop via a USB 2.0 PC Card. I have 3 other CF cards of 512mb capacity each, 2 by SimpleTech and 1 by Transcend, and all these would work fine with the ImageMate. But for some reason, the 2gb card would not show up. After much experimentation, I tried connecting a small USB power cord to the USB 2.0 PC card, and finally the Ultra II card worked fine. The cord I used came with the PC card when I bought it, and one end plugs into the card below the 4 USB ports and the other end plugs into my computer's native USB 1.1 ports.
Apparently, the ImageMate reader requires a little more power than a laptop PC card adapter can supply on its own to read a higher capacity CF card -- at least the Sandisk Ultra II 2gb card. At first I thought it was a flaw in the ImageMate, but I tried a Lexar 2.0 reader on the same USB 2.0 PC card without the extra cord, and the same thing happened -- it could read lower capacity CF cards but not the 2gb Sandisk Ultra II. When I used the extra cord, the Lexar could read the card just fine.
So you only have to worry if you're using a higher capacity card on a hub or PC card that might not supply enough power. If your PC card came with a supplementary power cord, use that. If not, then go buy a PC card adapter that comes with such a cord. If you're using lower capacity CF cards or your computer's native USB ports, you won't have to worry.
The speed of this reader is pretty fast. I tested it against the Lexar 2.0 reader I have, and the ImageMate is about 20% faster. I transferred 1.89gb of data from the 2gb card to my computer in 4 minutes and 41 seconds.
Don't bother installing the ArcSoft button software they supply with this reader. It didn't do anything special, IMO, but most importantly it caused some hiccups on my Windows XP Pro-SP1 system on shutdown and reboot.
This is a well-made, sturdy and attractive reader with a little rubber strip on the bottom so it won't slip, plus a separate cradle. You can use the reader with or without the cradle.
If you're looking for a good, fast multi-card reader, this ImageMate will fill the bill.
Customer Review: Dependable, Effortless to Set Up, and By the Way, It's Technically a 13-in-1
Summary: 5 Stars
The Sandisk ImageMate memory reader provides limitless flexibility with the myriad formats out there in today's market for digital content. Say goodbye to any worries that you won't be able to copy pictures from a relative's camera or share content with a friend's PSP - the ImageMate covers all of the formats available at this time.
This broad compatibility includes the absolutely tiny MicroSD (sometimes called TransFlash) cards that are used by navigation systems and leading-edge phones. These MicroSD cards use an adapter which bumps them up to the dimensions of a standard SD card. The adapters claim universal compatibility, but my other reader (only three years old!) didn't recognize them at all. However, the ImageMate picked it up with no problem. Hence, the 13-in-1 tag.
Setup is very easy - I received true plug-and-play for Windows XP and was using the ImageMate in a very short amount of time. There is an included disc of drivers and support software as well as a trial of Adobe's highly-regarded Photoshop Elements software. The ImageMate does not require its own power suppy, so there's no need to forgo another device in order to clear space on your surge protector.
Operation is straightforward as well. Whenever you insert media into the reader, your PC assigns it a drive letter and you can then use it like any other destination.
The product picture does the unit a disservice, making it look much bigger than it really is. The ImageMate is roughly the size of a PDA and fits in the palm of your hand. It can be laid flat on your desk (in which case rubber feet will hold it in place) or else mounted in the included vertical docking cradle. USB cables are included for both configurations.
The Sandisk ImageMate 12-in-1 does everything that a reader should do - you just plug it in and then take it for granted. If only all computer peripherals were so straightforward.
PROS
* All-encompassing compatibility (including the MicroSD/Transflash card not listed in the description) handles all of your devices
* Easily set up via plug-and-play
* Small and portable
CONS
* In the off-chance that you do run into problems, Sandisk's customer service is capable of nothing more than reading the product manual to you.
Customer Review: USB powered multi memory card reader combo with stand
Summary: 5 Stars
While Sandisk maybe hasn't got the memory card market cornered (far from it actually if you look into problems with Sandisk SD cards and Canon cameras) the Sandisk ImageMate is probably the best card reader in the business. In short if you own a digital camera you should get this reader. The reader is a little bigger than a tape cassette. It comes seated with a stand but you can remove it from the stand by pulling and letting it rest flat on a desk. It is powered directly by USB. It comes with software but XP can detect it and use it no problem. Basically it just installs 4 x drives in My computer. When you slot in the memory card into the reader the data appears in the drive and you can copy, paste or delete stuff. The real gem of owning this device is how much easier it is to just take the card out of the camera and slot the memory card in for reading, copying, pasting or deleting. It is so much easier to just open your camera, take the card out, put it in the reader, do your stuff, take out the card, put it back in the camera and get on with working on your photographs. Detractors will say that moving the card a lot will only damage it. I say that if your card can be moved in and out like this often, then you have a solid card. How many camera users have put their card in once only to discover one day the card doesn't bother to read/write anymore? This method is so much faster than waiting for your PC to respond to the camera before you can even access the memory card and then transfer depends on the camera speed and also uses battery power in doing so. Save your power, transfer faster and get into using memory cards the way they should be. Get this at all costs and experience the fun of transferring photographic images any way you want. Remember though that this is not limited to just camera memory cards. Any of the four supported memory card types will work A+.Customer Review: Small, versatile and worth every dime. UPDATE FEB 14 2010
Summary: 5 Stars
After a few experiences of using different storage media, I needed a quick and flexible way to get data and images on my MAC G4. I found the Imagemate and it's perfect. I use it for my Sony camcorder memory cards, my nephew's PSP memory mini duo, my Nikon digital camera sd card, my Palm sd card. It has a stand that looks nice on my desk without taking up a lot of space, about 2x3 inches, but I'm not sure because I don't use it to save a little space (not weight) in my laptop backpack. It holds the Imagemate upright and and it comes with a USB cord. It also comes with a shorter, cute USB cord for use without the stand. So it's functional without the stand. The Imagemate is exactly as advertised with one exception for MAC: it has a one-touch upload button which does not function for the MAC. I'm not sure if that's mentioned in the product description but it's not an inconvenience. I still give it 5 stars. FYI: On the mac, it shows up on the desktop when you put a card in, not when it's plugged into the USB port. And then the green light on it comes on. I'm really...really..picky about the technology I buy. I travel globally so each item I pack must be worth it's weight and convenient. This is feather light, works great and I never worry if I can transfer pictures or data from any kind of memory card. Another sign that this was a good purchase, my friends are now asking to use it. So far, this is my best product purchase of the year.
UPDATE FEB 14 2010
Updated all technologies since last review: laptop, cameras, etc. STILL using this product. Goes with my laptop, camera and netbook wherever they go since you never know when you might need it. Worth e-v-e-r-y dime. I don't bring the stand when traveling to save space. Very small, almost weightless.
Customer Review: Very handy, universal reader of most everything digital.
Summary: 5 Stars
Someone complained that this device was garbage, but in my view, it is a well built "read and write anything" device that is at the top of it's class. It comes with a nice standalone desktop docking mount, and a generous USB cable for your primary PC, no matter what OS you run. It also comes with a short mini USB cable that you can use with the compact reader head to plug into most any PC or MAC that you come across while you are on the road.
The software included is the standard BS "lite" versions of a few photo editing programs, plus a Win/Mac driver that offers "features" like one button file transfers. Huh? All the software included is pretty much junk that is only included to entice you to buy the real version. Forget the included CD.
The reality is that the card reader works perfectly without any drivers being installed at all. I tried it on Win 2k systems, Win XP systems, and six different flavors of Linux, and in each case, the device showed up as four new drives (reflecting card type), and worked without error no matter what system I plugged it into, and without any drivers being loaded at all. I have been Windows free for about two years, but I still support Windows clients. This device is just as at home on my Linux PC's as it is on client Windows PC's, and without using any driver disks at all.
The bottom line is that it's a cheap, fast, quality multi card reader, and it doesn't care what OS you run. The "free" software included is just window dressing, and if you throw away the disk when it arrives at your doorstep, you will never miss it. This is a great reader that has both a desktop mount, and laptop portability. Did I mention that it's cheap? Buy one, and you will like it.