CF card reader

[SteveJa]

I have a question about card readers. I need to get a usb CF card reader. are all usb 2.0 CF card readers the same? speed wise?

I ask because I know there is/was a difference with the SD/SDHC...... I just want to get one that works good and fast....


Thanks

[mellofelow]

I use both Firewire and USB. No contest, Firewire is multi-times faster. USB is mostly for portability. And NO, not all USB readers are created equal, maybe the higher end ones are. Regardless, you don't want to risk your precious photos on a $2 reader.

Of the 3 USB reader I have tried, the Sony seems to be the quickest.

[mathogre]

I have a couple from Dynex (purchased at Best Buy). Reviews online were good, and I've found them to be reliable. USB-2.

[Jon]

The difference between SD/SDHC wasn't specifically with speed; the SDHC requires a different protocol. But no, not all USB card readers are the same speed, even if they're USB 2. SanDisk's Extreme line of readers are quite fast, but almost any dedicated reader will be faster than using a USB cable to your camera.

[SteveJa]

thanks guys... I will look into the sandisk ones as well... I have only sandisk memory right now.....


Thanks

[Jesher]

I use a multi-reader from Sandisk that is USB-2.

Firewire is faster, but either will do the job in the end.

[hollis_f]

Fastest USB readers I've used are Lexar UDMA and Transcend P8 (also UDMA). I bought the Transcend when the Lexar refused to work with UDMA cards on Vista 64-Bit.

What I really want is an eSATA reader. That's the sort of thing you're gonna need when the next level of speed increases filter down.

[DC Fan]

File transfer rates for SanDisk and Kingston multi-card USB 2.0 readers seem to be pretty much the same.