Are all card readers crap?

RBellavance · 11-15-2011, 07:29 AM

I have had no problem whatsoever with my 2 Transcend readers. Can't find the model number of the older one (it's probably discontinued anyway), but the newer one is a TS-RDP8K. I bought it little more than a year ago because the older one didn't support SDHC cards.

**link_1111** · 11-15-2011, 07:37 AM

I used to use the card reader in my laptop but eventually found that it was speed throttling my SD cards so after trying some cheapo card readers, I spent a bit more on a Sandisk Imagemate All-In-One and it copies alot faster off my class 10 sandisk cards and is super reliable. Also has a small footprint and comes with a nifty little stand to make the card reader stand vertical.

**dadipentak** · 11-15-2011, 09:06 AM

Hmm, it still seems like a crap shoot--regardless of brand, some hold up, others fail.

I guess I should be happy that they last longer than HP printers.

wwwmorrell · 11-15-2011, 09:24 AM

Have been using the same give away SanDisk reader that came with a SandDisk SDHC card bought about four years back, never a problem, just lucky I guess reading some of the previous posts.

Before that just a normal SD reader, again part of a package, no problems.

sterretje · 11-15-2011, 11:08 AM

No, they're not all crap. I use a $1500 one

Produced by Pentax. Works all the time. Model is K5

**TER-OR** · 11-15-2011, 01:04 PM

In installed a fairly inexpensive on in my general-purpose computer rig years ago. So far, it's held up well. I thin the contacts may be starting to wear, the card won't read if pushed in all the way. Just slightly backed out and it's fine. They're cheap enough if this one craps out on me eventually.

Lloydy · 11-15-2011, 04:54 PM

I had a cheap no name supermarket thing that lasted barely 12 months, now I've got a Belkin that I've had a few years. But most times I just use the lead and plug the camera straight in. It seems quicker.

Ratmagiclady · 11-16-2011, 03:04 PM

Hrm. So far, so good with this little Targus one I have. I forget where I got it, but I think they sell them at Kmart. I had an older one which never has failed me which is non-SDHC compatible, even if the little lid fell off.

I've never had a multi-format one that worked. Otherwise, reasonably-cheap and simple probably works.

**dadipentak** · 11-16-2011, 04:52 PM

Originally posted by Ratmagiclady

I've never had a multi-format one that worked.

Confirms my prejudice against them.

photolady95 · 11-16-2011, 09:16 PM

I have a Targus I bought at Walmart. Works good no problems and it cost me $9.88. I have a Sandisk, but never use it. That one cost me more but it is cumbersome to use, the Targus is like a flash drive, the Sandisk, has a cord. I like the Targus because it's been working for two years, and I just insert the SDHC Class 10 card into it, then plug the reader into the USB port.

I don't like using the USB cable that came with my K-x because depending on how many photos I have to retrieve, it can and does drain the batteries.

RioRico · 11-16-2011, 10:13 PM

Originally posted by Ratmagiclady

I've never had a multi-format one that worked.

I've had two; one worked well, the other worked weird.
So some do and some don't. Life is like that.

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11-15-2011, 07:29 AM	#16
RBellavance Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Near Montréal, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,716	I have had no problem whatsoever with my 2 Transcend readers. Can't find the model number of the older one (it's probably discontinued anyway), but the newer one is a TS-RDP8K. I bought it little more than a year ago because the older one didn't support SDHC cards.

11-15-2011, 07:37 AM	#17
link_1111 Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Sydney Posts: 59	I used to use the card reader in my laptop but eventually found that it was speed throttling my SD cards so after trying some cheapo card readers, I spent a bit more on a Sandisk Imagemate All-In-One and it copies alot faster off my class 10 sandisk cards and is super reliable. Also has a small footprint and comes with a nifty little stand to make the card reader stand vertical.

11-15-2011, 09:06 AM	#18
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590 Original Poster	Hmm, it still seems like a crap shoot--regardless of brand, some hold up, others fail. I guess I should be happy that they last longer than HP printers.

11-15-2011, 09:24 AM	#19
wwwmorrell Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Mount Buller, Australia Posts: 397	Have been using the same give away SanDisk reader that came with a SandDisk SDHC card bought about four years back, never a problem, just lucky I guess reading some of the previous posts. Before that just a normal SD reader, again part of a package, no problems.

11-15-2011, 11:08 AM	#20
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	No, they're not all crap. I use a $1500 one Produced by Pentax. Works all the time. Model is K5

11-15-2011, 01:04 PM	#21
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699	In installed a fairly inexpensive on in my general-purpose computer rig years ago. So far, it's held up well. I thin the contacts may be starting to wear, the card won't read if pushed in all the way. Just slightly backed out and it's fine. They're cheap enough if this one craps out on me eventually.

11-15-2011, 04:54 PM	#22
Lloydy Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Shropshire, UK Posts: 1,114	I had a cheap no name supermarket thing that lasted barely 12 months, now I've got a Belkin that I've had a few years. But most times I just use the lead and plug the camera straight in. It seems quicker.

11-16-2011, 03:04 PM	#23
Ratmagiclady Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: GA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,563	Hrm. So far, so good with this little Targus one I have. I forget where I got it, but I think they sell them at Kmart. I had an older one which never has failed me which is non-SDHC compatible, even if the little lid fell off. I've never had a multi-format one that worked. Otherwise, reasonably-cheap and simple probably works.

11-16-2011, 04:52 PM	#24
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590 Original Poster	Originally posted by Ratmagiclady I've never had a multi-format one that worked. Confirms my prejudice against them.

11-16-2011, 09:16 PM	#25
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712	I have a Targus I bought at Walmart. Works good no problems and it cost me $9.88. I have a Sandisk, but never use it. That one cost me more but it is cumbersome to use, the Targus is like a flash drive, the Sandisk, has a cord. I like the Targus because it's been working for two years, and I just insert the SDHC Class 10 card into it, then plug the reader into the USB port. I don't like using the USB cable that came with my K-x because depending on how many photos I have to retrieve, it can and does drain the batteries.

11-16-2011, 10:13 PM	#26
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by Ratmagiclady I've never had a multi-format one that worked. I've had two; one worked well, the other worked weird. So some do and some don't. Life is like that.