Why does one cost more than another?

**Mallee Boy** · 10-04-2008, 03:09 PM

Card Readers.

I realise the obvious answer is because one is 'better' than the other.....but what IS the difference?

Is it the speed?, the electronics?....and does any of it have any effect on the image being transferred.

Interested to hear your thoughts.

GSk · 10-04-2008, 03:27 PM

It does not have any effect on the picture.

deejjjaaaa · 10-04-2008, 03:29 PM

Originally posted by GSk

It does not have any effect on the picture.

but it does on your wallet

dosdan · 10-04-2008, 03:40 PM

Unless the file is corrupted during transfer (unlikely), any recent card reader, i.e. can handle SDHC (>2GB), should be fine. Some are quicker than others though.

Dan.

**Mallee Boy** · 10-04-2008, 06:16 PM

Interesting....because there seems to be quite a price difference, with some starting a few $$$.

Ed in GA · 10-04-2008, 06:19 PM

I use the Sandisk MobileMate reader. Works with SDHC cards, is small, fits into my pocket or bag and transfers data as fast as I need it to be transferred.

garth1948 · 10-04-2008, 08:17 PM

Last 2 4gb SD cards bought came with free SD/USB adaptors.
Work perfectly.

Bramela · 10-05-2008, 01:29 AM

Only thing to note, for cards 4gb and higher you need to be sure the reader is compatible. Some readers dont read the larger cards.

PentaxKangaroo · 10-05-2008, 03:30 AM

SDHC cards 4GB and up use the FAT 32 file format as SD cards under 4GB Use FAT 16 file format. That is why you need different reader for SDHC cards..

drewdlephone · 10-05-2008, 10:42 AM

I have a SanDisk MicroMate that came with my 4Gb Extreme card. Works awesome. To be honest, there isn't a lot of difference between the cheap and expensive ones. Some support more card types, and some have a little better USB controllers in them (hence they're faster), but other than that, they all do the same thing.

**Canada_Rockies** · 10-05-2008, 04:27 PM

Watch out for the real cheap cards. Why save $10 on a cheap card that can ruin your images? It happens.

**Mallee Boy** · 10-05-2008, 05:09 PM

Originally posted by Canada_Rockies

Watch out for the real cheap cards. Why save $10 on a cheap card that can ruin your images? It happens.

Hi Albert,
Absolutely! I buy only reputable brand name cards from reputable stores, my SDHC cards are Sandisk and Panasonic and I have a bunch of Toshibas that have been going for several years now with no issues.

My OP was just Sunday morning idle curiosity about card readers and why you see some for sale at $5.95 and others at $59.95.

I have one that cost $5.95 and works like a charm and was simply wondering what I was missing out on....if anything. Also have the Sandisk one that came with the SDHC card.
Cheers.

marcdsgn · 10-06-2008, 05:42 PM

I have a couple of card readers - both cheapos from China at about the $6 - $10 mark. No problems with either in regards to their function. The cheaper one has a flip-cap that won't stay shut, but that's a cosmetic thing and doesn't affect its operation.

10-04-2008, 03:09 PM	#1
Mallee Boy Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,904	Why does one cost more than another? Card Readers. I realise the obvious answer is because one is 'better' than the other.....but what IS the difference? Is it the speed?, the electronics?....and does any of it have any effect on the image being transferred. Interested to hear your thoughts.

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10-04-2008, 03:27 PM	#2
GSk Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Sørumsand, Norway Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59	It does not have any effect on the picture.

10-04-2008, 03:29 PM	#3
deejjjaaaa Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: steel city / rust belt Posts: 2,043	Originally posted by GSk It does not have any effect on the picture. but it does on your wallet

10-04-2008, 03:40 PM	#4
dosdan Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,741	Unless the file is corrupted during transfer (unlikely), any recent card reader, i.e. can handle SDHC (>2GB), should be fine. Some are quicker than others though. Dan.

10-04-2008, 06:16 PM	#5
Mallee Boy Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,904 Original Poster	Interesting....because there seems to be quite a price difference, with some starting a few $$$.

10-04-2008, 06:19 PM	#6
Ed in GA Guest	I use the Sandisk MobileMate reader. Works with SDHC cards, is small, fits into my pocket or bag and transfers data as fast as I need it to be transferred.

10-04-2008, 08:17 PM	#7
garth1948 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Perth Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 293	Last 2 4gb SD cards bought came with free SD/USB adaptors. Work perfectly.

10-05-2008, 01:29 AM	#8
Bramela Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Newcastle Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,284	Only thing to note, for cards 4gb and higher you need to be sure the reader is compatible. Some readers dont read the larger cards.

10-05-2008, 03:30 AM	#9
PentaxKangaroo Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 60	SDHC cards 4GB and up use the FAT 32 file format as SD cards under 4GB Use FAT 16 file format. That is why you need different reader for SDHC cards..

10-05-2008, 10:42 AM	#10
drewdlephone Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Nanaimo, BC Posts: 261	I have a SanDisk MicroMate that came with my 4Gb Extreme card. Works awesome. To be honest, there isn't a lot of difference between the cheap and expensive ones. Some support more card types, and some have a little better USB controllers in them (hence they're faster), but other than that, they all do the same thing.

10-05-2008, 04:27 PM	#11
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	Watch out for the real cheap cards. Why save $10 on a cheap card that can ruin your images? It happens.

10-05-2008, 05:09 PM	#12
Mallee Boy Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,904 Original Poster	Originally posted by Canada_Rockies Watch out for the real cheap cards. Why save $10 on a cheap card that can ruin your images? It happens. Hi Albert, Absolutely! I buy only reputable brand name cards from reputable stores, my SDHC cards are Sandisk and Panasonic and I have a bunch of Toshibas that have been going for several years now with no issues. My OP was just Sunday morning idle curiosity about card readers and why you see some for sale at $5.95 and others at $59.95. I have one that cost $5.95 and works like a charm and was simply wondering what I was missing out on....if anything. Also have the Sandisk one that came with the SDHC card. Cheers.

10-06-2008, 05:42 PM	#13
marcdsgn Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Queensland Photos: Gallery Posts: 265	I have a couple of card readers - both cheapos from China at about the $6 - $10 mark. No problems with either in regards to their function. The cheaper one has a flip-cap that won't stay shut, but that's a cosmetic thing and doesn't affect its operation.