Lexar Media USB Universal Reader
Written: Sep 16 '02 (Updated Sep 16 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Easy to use and reliable
Cons: The case appears to be flimsy. (so don't drop it) ;)
The Bottom Line: One of the easiest and most reliable ways to manage multiple formats of digital media.
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| rpllingrock's Full Review: Lexar Media USB Universal Reader |
After suffering through the use of a parallel port card reader, it became obvious that I needed a reliable method of transferring my images from various memory formats to my computer. That’s when I opted for the Lexar Media USB Universal Reader for one simple reason, compatibility and ease of use.
First of all, the reader Epinions has listed here, and the card readers listed in the “Compare Prices” section (below this review)are not the same hardware. These are mainly USB CompactFlash readers, and not Universal Readers.
This review is for the Lexar Media USB Universal Reader . It is located here on the Lexar website and described and pictured correctly above this review:
http://lexarmedia.com/readers/universal.html
So What Makes It Universal?
By using a PCMCIA adapter specific for each type of media, I can currently read CompactFlash Type I & II and Sony Memory Stick. There is a separate port below the PCMCIA slot for SmartMedia 3.3 v. I’ve use the SmartMedia slot occasionally to upload images for friends or family, but I currently don’t own this type of memory. For the record, I did notice that you can’t use both slots simultaneously.
This is accomplished by inserting a memory card into the PCMCIA adapter. The unit does include an adapter card for Compact Flash only. The Memory Stick adapter came with my Sony camera.
Why A Card Reader
My second digital camera purchase came with a parallel port card reader, and as everyone should know by now, parallel ports were designed for one thing, printing. The Sony card reader was horrible, working 50% of the time at best. I was left with no choice but to purchase a CompactFlash reader, or a universal reader which could also read their proprietary Memory Stick. There was no way to import images directly from the camera to the computer.
Currently I own 3 digital cameras, and much prefer transferring images via the card reader over either a serial port or USB port via the camera itself. It’s much easier to pop the memory card out of the camera than to setup the transfer of images through sometimes complicated and/or buggy TWAIN software.
Installation and Requirements
One of the best things about this reader is the need to install the drivers only. I don’t need nor do I want third party graphics manipulation software. I chose to plug the reader in and wait for Windows to see the device, and then I directed it to the driver folder located on the included CD.
Lexar claims compatibility with Windows version 98/ME/2000 and Mac.
Although I am using this reader on Windows XP Pro, I am using Windows 2000 drivers without a hitch. I have also used this reader successfully on Windows 98SE/ME/2000. Don’t hold your breath either for XP drivers. I was told that they were in the works, but to use the 2000 drivers for the time being. That was nearly a year ago.
Here’s How It Works
• Once you’ve plugged in the reader into an available USB port and installed the drivers, your 2 slots (PCMCIA & SmartMedia) will show up in Windows Explorer as 2 additional removable disk drives. From here, you can use treat them as you would any drive (copy, paste, drag and drop, delete, format). Just pop in the cards and you’re good to go!
• As I’ve found out early on, you’re not restricted to just the transfer of image files from your camera, but as a small data transfer device. I frequently transfer large files from home to my work via the reader and cards. Previously I used the bulky and snail-like Iomega Zip Parallel Drive.
• There’s no need for any additional power source, just plug it in and you’re on your way! There’s two LEDs on the unit, Green showing the unit is powered via the USB port, and Red which signifies the data transfer. Needless to say, never remove the USB cable or card while the Red LED is flashing! ;) You can however remove the cards without disconnecting the USB cable for subsequent reads.
• To remove the card, simply hit the eject button on the front of the unit.
• It’s hard for me to estimate data transfer times, but I would estimate that the rate is in the range of 4 MB in about 8 seconds.
Overall
I’ve been very satisfied with this reader for well over a year without one instance of misread data or a system crash. I estimate that I’ve transferred well over 50 GB of data using this unit, using about 10 cards with memory ranging from 8 MB to 128 MB, and in different formats.
Besides stringing me along about the XP drivers, their customer support is very friendly and helpful. They boast 24 hour online Live Support.
The unit comes with a one year warranty.
Recommended:
Yes
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