CF Card Reader Differences

[nedjinski]

I want to get a card reader so I don't have to go USB from camera to computer.

card reader prices are all over the map from a few dollars to upwards of $60 - wtf?

there can't be that much difference in "quality" can there? even some of the $10-$20 readers will read many types of cards.

does one reader "read" faster than another, etc.

also is there an OS consideration - 32 bit or 64 bit.

[hollis_f]

Most card readers are very similar in their speeds, if not in their costs. Where you would notice a difference is if you use UDMA CF cards (it'll be written on them somewhere if you do). Then a UDMA reader will be substantially faster.

OS should make zero difference.

[Jon]

OS shouldn't matter as long as you're talking PC Card or USB-connected readers. You may need drivers for PCI-Express, CardBus or FireWire readers (which tend to be somewhat faster).