SanDisk SDDR-64-768 Compact Flash to PC Card Adapter
by SanDisk
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Our Price: $30.99 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Category: Personal Computer See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of SanDisk SDDR-64-768 Compact Flash to PC Card Adapter
Customer Review: Slower than USB 2.0 reader
Summary: 3 Stars
I bought this adapter so that I would not have to carry a separate USB 2.0 reader along with my laptop on photography trips. The adapter sits flush with the edge of my laptop, so could be left in the slot without anything sticking out. Most newer laptops (including mine) feature built-in card readers, but none read CompactFlash cards, which is still the favored format of DSLRs.
Problem is, this PCMCIA/CardBus adapter is much, much slower than my SanDisk SDDR-88-A15 8-in-1 USB 2.0 Hi-speed Reader. When transferring images, this adapter consumes so much processor power that my laptop becomes unresponsive. Image transfer also eats up battery power. I have stopped using this adapter.
For photographers on the move, I would suggest something like the WOLVERINE DATA FlashPac 7-in-1 Memory Card Reader and 60 GB Storage Device, instead of lugging around a laptop and card-reader everywhere. There are other, fancier options out there with good screens that let you review your pictures (the Epson P-3000 and its siblings come to mind), but if all you want is an HDD to empty your flash cards onto, it is hard to beat the FlashPac's value.
To sum up:
PROS
* Adapter sits flush with my laptop, doesn't have to be carried separately.
CONS
* Super-slow. Feels about 5 times slower than my USB 2.0 card reader from the same company.
* Maxes out my laptop's processor (and it's a fast laptop) when transferring files.
* Eats up laptop's batteries like crazy.
* Source of constant frustration.
Customer Review: Slow, affects entire system
Summary: 2 Stars
Note: I am fully aware that compact flash cards have a maximum sustained upload speed which caps off the potential speed of the medium it is being transferred on.
I purchased this product to use in conjunction with my SanDisk Ultra II compact flash cards. I thought that PC cards would be faster than USB 1.1 and 2.0, but thats not the truth.
Whenever I try to upload files from my CF cards thru the PC card, it slows down the ENTIRE system. I can't do other tasks while the card is uploading files since everything is acting sparatic and slow.
I'll admit, the card is a bit faster in uploading files than USB 1.1, but I can't do anything else on my computer while the card is working. Honestly, I would rather have a little bit slower performance with my USB 1.1 card reader and be able to work on my computer at the same time instead of having the card slow down my entire system.
I believe this card is a 16-bit pcmcia card. I've heard good praise for Lexar's 32-bit pcmcia cards, but I have yet to try it out. I'm sure it costs more money than this PC card or a USB card reader, though...
All in all, I suggest getting a USB 2.0 compact flash reader over this product if you want to work on your computer at the same time as you are uploading files.
Otherwise, if your the kinda person who doesnt mind leaving the computer alone while the files are uploaded to your computer, this will work just fine for you.
Customer Review: s o o o s l o o o w w w w w w w
Summary: 2 Stars
I was very excited to get this card adapter so I could stop using my external USB device to down load photos. I popped it in and inserted my 4GB card which wasn't nearly full, and it told me the estimated time to finish was 25 minutes!!! I couldn't ever remember it taking that long, so I cancelled the transfer after watching it for about 5 minutes or so just to make sure it wasn't going to speed up or equalize or something. I put the same card in my usual USB card reader and it started the transfer (of all photos, not just the remaining ones), and it took 7 minutes to complete. I don't think that USB 2.0 is slower than PCMCIA bus, because you can get a USB 2.0 PCMCIA card adaptor! I can't figure out why a simple device would cause the transfer to take so long. It wasn't really worth the effort to return the opened $12 item and get charged a restocking fee, so I still have it, but I only use my USB card reader. Maybe it would work better as a coaster for drinks or something!Customer Review: It works, but it is SUPER SLOW!
Summary: 2 Stars
I bought this reader for my laptop since it didn't have USB 2.0.
But to tell you the truth, I think this device is a little slower than USB 1.0! I am going to buy the Lexar 32Bit card and see if that improves the download speed, because this reader is so slow.
It took me about 45min to download 2GB of photos from my Extreme III card. That is unacceptable.
Customer Review: ultra S_L_O_W compact flash card reader
Summary: 1 Stars
I bought this card reader to use with my laptop so I wouldn't have a USB reader hang off the side, just waiting to get broken off. To my disappointment, this reader is incredibly slow. Slow enough to make it not worth the money, no matter how little it costs.
Here's some specs on my analysis:
* Test was performed with a Dell Latitude D630 w/ Intel Core2Duo Laptop
* Memory card used was a Sandisk Extreme III 8GB Compact Flash
* Transfer of thirty-six (36) 10.2 megapixel images (~4MB each), total size of ~160MB
** From D630 to Extreme III CF card via PCMCIA, the transfer took approx 5 minutes
** From Extreme III CF card to D630 via PCMCIA, the transfer took approx 4 minutes
** From D630 to Extreme III CF card via generic USB 2.0 reader, the transfer took approx 20 seconds
** From Extreme III CF card to D630 via generic USB 2.0 reader, the transfer took approx 20 seconds
Just consider, this was only 36 photos (~160MB total). If I travel with my laptop and take hundred or thousands of photos and needs to backup or download them, I would most definitely need to bring my power supply. And when you travel, bringing more stuff to weigh you down is the last thing you want to do.
So, with results like these, its clear why I'm in the process of returning this item. I hope you all think twice before ordering this reader.