Why do all card readers seem to suck?

Hey ya'll! Been a while since I've been on here, hope all is well. My gf and I are planning a giant huge road trip and I need a new CF card reader. Trouble is, can't seem to find one that doesnt have a ton of negative reviews about easily bent pins, fragile cases, defective firmware, and worst of all, corruption of images. Were visiting 20-something national parks in 8 months. Aint nobody got time for corrupted images. Funny thing is, the reader I have now is some junk brand, and the plastic case fell off long ago, and I've had to rebend pins a bunch, but it still works, and has never failed or mysteriously ejected itself, etc.

So.. breathe.. any help? Don't mind spending a little extra if its quality. I wish Mac would make a card reader. It would be $50 but it would work forever.

I have an older version of this Kodak reader that has a permanently-attached USB cable and only reads CF and SD cards. It is over 6 years old and still works flawlessly.

http://www.amazon.com …Card-Reader/dp/B002P5KOXG

Also these two have good reviews:

http://www.amazon.com …LRW307URBNA/dp/​B007FEFQDA
http://www.amazon.com …der-FCR-HS3/dp/B005ES0YYA

I have the Lexar and it's worked flawlessly.

bumpintheroad wrote in post #16613649
I have an older version of this Kodak reader that has a permanently-attached USB cable and only reads CF and SD cards. It is over 6 years old and still works flawlessly.

http://www.amazon.com …Card-Reader/dp/B002P5KOXG

Also these two have good reviews:

http://www.amazon.com …LRW307URBNA/dp/​B007FEFQDA
http://www.amazon.com …der-FCR-HS3/dp/B005ES0YYA

The Kodak brings up a great point that applies to most memory-based technology, IMO, and that is the disparity in reviews. Yourself and I, we've had great experiences with really inexpensive stuff that a lot of others have had break on them in a day. Theres just no way to know! I secretly believe its a plot hatched by the big companies to keep us coming back to buy more stuff.

The Kingston one looks good though, might try it.

This Transcend USB 3 reader (works on 2.0) is good. I've had it a year or so, no problems.

Reviews are most often done by grumpy people, not happy customers.

tim wrote in post #16613672
This Transcend USB 3 reader (works on 2.0) is good. I've had it a year or so, no problems.

Reviews are most often done by grumpy people, not happy customers.

Thats a good point. People are quick to **** and slow to praise.

tim wrote in post #16613672
This Transcend USB 3 reader (works on 2.0) is good. I've had it a year or so, no problems.

Reviews are most often done by grumpy people, not happy customers.

+1 on the Transcend. I have it and I love it. Works great!

Besides a good cardreader, the other handy thing to know is to switch your card to 'read only' before placing it in a reader.

I've had some instances before with some corrupt images - and while I can't know 100% that it was the card reader, since practicing this method I haven't had a problem since.

Now, only my camera formats, and has has write access to my SD cards. (Unless of course I need to install Magic Lantern - then I make an exception )

EDIT: My apologies - I missed the bit about a CF card.

I don't think you can do that with CF cards.

I've never seen a CF card with a read only switch.

I have the Lexar USB3 CF/SD reader. It has worked well for me for about two years. Be sure you have the latest firmware installed if your computer has a USB3 port.

Another vote for the Lexar USB3 CF/SD card reader. I have had one now for over 2 years and have never had any problems with it. As bpalermini says, make sure you have the latest firmware installed.

WesternGuy

Lexar here as well. I've also had it about 2yrs. Got mine from B&H: http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …al_USB_3_0_Dual​_Slot.html

Electronics reviews? Blah. I'd never have gotten a wifi router if I'd taken notice of all those reviews.

I still use the same Sandisk CF reader that I got in 2006 or so when I bought my 20D. It still works great and I've never had an issue with it. The only problem is that I finally tried a USB 3.0 reader and was blown away by the speed.