SanDisk ImageMate 12-in-1 USB 2.0 Flash Memory Card Reader SDDR-89-A15

• Sandisk ImageMate 12-in-1 Reader/Writer accepts the following memory types - 1. CompactFlash Type I, 2. CompactFlash Type II, 3. SD SecureDigital Card & SDHC, 4. miniSD, 5. MultiMediaCard, 6. RS-MMC, 7. Memory Stick, 8. Memory Stick PRO, 9 Memory Stick Duo, 10. Memory Stick PRO Duo, 11. SmartMedia, 12. xD-PictureCard and xD-PictureCard Type M

I've been searching for a USB 2.0 flash card reader that doesn't need stupid drivers (I'm a bit obsessive about keeping my system clean) for the longest time and have finally found it!

When plugged in, the device shows up as 4 separate drives. Transfers are painless and you can also transfer between multiple flash card formats w/o copying to your hard drive first (though I haven't had a need to do this).

If you do install the drivers, there's a button on the reader that transfers files automatically. I haven't installed the software for this, so I don't know where the files go :-)

Thanks, Sandisk! Shame on Dazzle for making their 8-in-1 reader require drivers; my old USB1.1 Dazzle didn't need drivers so I thought their new USB2.0 reader was safe to buy. Tried the Lexar reader next and had the same problem. But now I'm happy again...

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This is a superb portable/dockable/easy-to-use multi-memorycard reader. Out-of-the-box it installs effortlessly (true plug-and-play) and supports 12 different types of media. I've swapped images, music, and files between several machines running Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows ME, and even OS X without having to install any drivers. It comes with a convenient docking station that can be attached your home system, for example, AND another USB 2.0 cable that can be used on the road with your laptop. Personally, I use it all the time for mini-storage and to trasfer various things between many systems using SD, Compact Flash, and a few other types of cards. It supports the media for my digital camera, digital video camera, and those of most my friends--so, it makes sharing very simple as well. You don't have to worry about plugging in your friends' cameras, installing drivers for each camera, then fidgeting with the camera until you can get pictures off it. All you do is insert the memory card and access it like a normal diskette. The drive doesn't require much to operate and is very small, so you can take it anywhere.

Read Best Reviews of SanDisk ImageMate 12-in-1 USB 2.0 Flash Memory Card Reader SDDR-89-A15 Here

Overall this is a great flash reader, but you need to be careful if you use both a USB 2.0 PC adapter card for a laptop and a high capacity flash memory card.

I was going to return this to Amazon because at first I couldn't get it to work with my Sandisk Ultra II 2gb card when connected to my laptop via a USB 2.0 PC Card. I have 3 other CF cards of 512mb capacity each, 2 by SimpleTech and 1 by Transcend, and all these would work fine with the ImageMate. But for some reason, the 2gb card would not show up. After much experimentation, I tried connecting a small USB power cord to the USB 2.0 PC card, and finally the Ultra II card worked fine. The cord I used came with the PC card when I bought it, and one end plugs into the card below the 4 USB ports and the other end plugs into my computer's native USB 1.1 ports.

Apparently, the ImageMate reader requires a little more power than a laptop PC card adapter can supply on its own to read a higher capacity CF card -at least the Sandisk Ultra II 2gb card. At first I thought it was a flaw in the ImageMate, but I tried a Lexar 2.0 reader on the same USB 2.0 PC card without the extra cord, and the same thing happened -it could read lower capacity CF cards but not the 2gb Sandisk Ultra II. When I used the extra cord, the Lexar could read the card just fine.

So you only have to worry if you're using a higher capacity card on a hub or PC card that might not supply enough power. If your PC card came with a supplementary power cord, use that. If not, then go buy a PC card adapter that comes with such a cord. If you're using lower capacity CF cards or your computer's native USB ports, you won't have to worry.

The speed of this reader is pretty fast. I tested it against the Lexar 2.0 reader I have, and the ImageMate is about 20% faster. I transferred 1.89gb of data from the 2gb card to my computer in 4 minutes and 41 seconds.

Don't bother installing the ArcSoft button software they supply with this reader. It didn't do anything special, IMO, but most importantly it caused some hiccups on my Windows XP Pro-SP1 system on shutdown and reboot.

This is a well-made, sturdy and attractive reader with a little rubber strip on the bottom so it won't slip, plus a separate cradle. You can use the reader with or without the cradle.

If you're looking for a good, fast multi-card reader, this ImageMate will fill the bill.

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Sandisk released another great reader with the ability to read any memory media format available.

What I like:

1Portable light sturdy construction. I use it to move large files of data on a CF memory without carrying a laptop.

2Fast data transfer with USB 2.0 connection.

3Easy to install. Plug and play with Windows 2000 or XP (I have not tried other operating systems)

4Stands vertically or horizontally. I was afraid it might not be stable when standing vertically, I was proven wrong. It is very stable even when you are installing/removing memory cartridges; non-slip rubber is used to prevent sliding.

5Reads 12 different memory media. I can use my camera's CF memory, my other camera's memory stick and my Palm's SD memory all with the same device.

7Elegant black and silver design that looks great on any desk.

8Each slot has its own LED (small light) which indicates that the memory media has been inserted properly.

The only drawback:

1It comes with 2 cables, one for the cradle (vertical position) and one for the reader itself (horizontal position). The cable for the horizontal position is really short, around 9inches, to be used other than directly near your desktop/laptop.

This reader works perfectly. Plug and play set up. The only thing that kept me from giving it 5 stars is that the cables may be too short for some people. For example, if you keep your PC on the floor but you want the reader on the desktop, the cable may not reach. I didn't have this problem, but other people will.