Good External USB 3 Card Reader

[ryanbarlin]

Recently, i've had 3 card readers of different brands blow. Anyone got any good recomendations? Maybe look into something a little more heavy duty. I'd rather pay a few extra bucks for my new one to not implode.

The funny thing is, i've been using 3 different computers, so i'm doubting it has anything to do with the machines. I only use Sandisk CF cards. Looking online seems to reveal most card readers are steaming piles.

I've tried:
-USB 2 one from Dick Smith (this was a backup one). First one blew up in a week. I got them to replace it in warranty, but recently this one blew up.

-Two to Three USB 3 ones (I can't remember what brand off the top of my head).

Any help would be appreciated!

[ricktas]

buy a sandisk one

[I @ M]

Head straight to site advertiser Cheap Chips and buy a Lexar USB3 reader. We have two here, one USB2 and the other USB 3. Both work really well.

http://www.cheapchips.com.au/memory/lexar-multi-card-25-in-1-usb-30-reader.html



buy a sandisk one

:eek: No way, the first time we used one it ate an sd card. Still trying to get a refund on the piece of junk!

[Wobbles]

1+1 for Cheap Chips and Lexar. I got two of these http://www.cheapchips.com.au/memory/lexar-professional-udma-dual-slot-usb-30-reader.html so I can download 2 cards from two cameras simultaneously into Lightroom. They go like a rocket (if you have USB3), sturdy and reliable. I also like that they cover the slots when not in use to keep the 'dust bunnies' out! ;)

Cheers
John

[Mary Anne]

I have two an old UBS2 Sandisk Card Reader and a new USB3 Sandisk Card Reader and they both work well in two different computers.
Only use Sandisk CF cards too.

[flashc]

My USB 2 reader was a multi card Sandisk and never had a read problem..

New one is a Sandisk Imagemate USB 3 reader and has shifted over 300Gb of files without any problems.

Seems to transfer faster even when used on my older USB 2 laptop as well..

I looked for a Lexar but couldn't find one locally...

I only have Sandisk cards

[ryanbarlin]

Thanks guys, I will probably go with the Lexar I think- this double card thing would probably be a lot faster for my purposes. I might give the Sandisk ones a go if we have another card reader implosion on our hands!

[Kym]

I have a Kingston USB3 reader -- works well.
I also have an older Sandisk USB2 -- works well.

[Cage]

In the interests of having less things hanging off my case, I've gone the SilverStone route.

Card Reader: http://www.silverstonetek.com/product.php?pid=315
Bay Converter: http://www.silverstonetek.com/product.php?pid=272&area=en

Only just arrived so will let you know how it performs.

[ryanbarlin]

That SilverStone looks really interesting Cage! It's a shame i'm not running a tower PC with one of those, because if there's one thing my desk needs it's less clutter...

Thanks a heap guys, I bought from Cheap Chips just waiting for it to be shipped.

[swifty]

Just FYI I have the Lexar dual slot USB 3 reader and its been excellent so far. Only thing I had to do was do a free firmware update to work with the retina MacBook Pros.

[ryanbarlin]

Thanks for the heads up on the firmware update Swifty. I had no idea they made updates for card readers, but there you go.

[frithnow]

I like the Lexar Pros. Card alignment is great, no bent pin issues. I only us CF (and anyway the MBA has a built in SD reader) so I don't need a multi card reader. And the click shut to keep dirt out design is great. One problem... they stop talking to the Mac after a while. I need to keep better track of their life expectancy, but I reckon it would be months, maybe a year. Anyone else had this problem? Using them with MacBook Airs FWIW