I've owned a
SanDisk ImageMate CompactFlash Card Reader USB for over 3 years. It's a wonderful easy-to-use unit, and boy does it save me time. Many devices utilize CompactFlash cards such as digital cameras, hand-held computers, digital music players. The SanDisk Card Reader makes these electronics even easier to use.
What is a SanDisk Card Reader?
The SanDisk CompactFlash Card Reader is a small external device that the computer sees as another drive (my computer sees the unit as the "F Drive"). A horizontal slot at the front of the semi-round unit holds the CompactFlash card. Since CompactFlash cards are a universal size, it does not matter if the card is 8, 16, 32, 48, 64 (or larger) megabytes. A small button next to the slot, when pushed, ejects the card. A cord with a USB connector snakes out the back of the unit.
The SanDisk card reader is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Lightweight, it is easily portable. (I often share my SanDisk unit between two computers.) On my model, the semi-round unit measures about 3 1/4" wide x 1 3/4" high x 3 3/4" deep. The cord with the USB connector is 46-inches long.
SanDisk has developed several different styles of this reader. Some models look sleeker than mine, a bit flatter. Other models do not have the eject button to release the card.
How does it work? What does it do?
My first introduction to CompactFlash cards came with the purchase of my Epson digital camera. The digital photographs are stored on a CompactFlash card and can be loaded onto a computer for viewing, editing, saving, e-mailing to friends. However, using the cords that come with the camera to transfer the photos take time to connect to the PC, especially if the back of the computer is hard to reach. Don't forget the time involved to read the instruction manual as well as trying to remember where the cords are stored!
That's where the SanDisk CompactFlash Card Reader comes in handy. I always leave my SanDisk Card Reader plugged into the PC. When I need to transfer photos from the CompactFlash card, I insert the CompactFlash card into the SanDisk card slot. The cards I use have a distinctive "top" and "bottom" side (the brand name is prominently featured on the top side of the card). With the top side of the card up, face the connector side of the card toward the slot and firmly push. Within seconds the photos are available for viewing.
If you are currently using a serial connection to transfer images from a digital camera to the computer, you will notice the USB download is about 30-50 times faster (time varies with each computer). The USB SanDisk reader also saves you from using the batteries in the camera to transfer the pictures. It's wonderful saving those batteries for taking photographs, not data transfer.
When the SanDisk CompactFlash Card Reader is plugged in, a green light glows to the left of the card slot. This indicates that the unit is "on". When a CompactFlash card is inserted into the unit, an orange light briefly blinks (located at the right side of the card slot). Some models do not have the orange light, and it is not necessary.
The computer sees the SanDisk reader as another drive, just as it would see a "C", "A", "D", or "E" drive. This makes it easy to work with the images on the CompactFlash card. Treat the card as any other removable disk. "Copy" images on the CompactFlash Disk and "Paste" the images onto the computer hard drive or a zip disk. It's also easy to "drag and drop" the images.
I love Photoshop as a photo editor. Open Photoshop, under "File", click "Open". Then choose the SanDisk drive letter. The photo files are listed and ready to access. The same principle works in other software programs, too.
How to Install the SanDisk Card Reader
Simply plug the USB connector into an available USB port on the computer. My operating system is Windows 98. The system detects the new piece of hardware and requests the driver CD so that it can install the drivers. To view the new drive letter, open "My Computer". (The SanDisk CompactFlash Card Reader also works with Mac computers.)
Since I use many devices with USB connectors, I installed a USB hub. The hub has multiple USB slots in it, and a USB connector cord plugs into the computer. A hub is similar in purpose to an outlet power strip. I plugged the SanDisk Card Reader into one of the multiple USB slots, and it works great.
Summary
Sure I could live without a SanDisk CompactFlash Card Reader, but it's affordable, convenient and time-saving ... why would I want to do without it? Easy to install, simple to use, portable, this unit is a winner.
I hope you found this review useful.
Enjoy your day!
Dawn
http://dlstewart.com
Update (March 3, 2005)
This is still a great reader and is working as if it were new. I moved the Sandisk reader to use with my spare computer, and I purchased a
Dazzle 6 in 1 Digital Media Reader for my main computer. Now I can easily swap files between the two machines. I've also taken the Sandisk reader with me during travels. It is portable and makes it easy to access photos and files on my compact flash cards.
Please read my other computer reviews:
Gateway 500X Desktop
HP LaserJet 2200dse Printer
HP LaserJet 1000 Printer
Logitech Cordless Freedom Optical Keyboard and Mouse
Logitech Mouseman Cordless Optical Mouse
Fellowes Gel Mouse Pad with Wristrest
Casio KL60SR Label Maker
Belkin Home Office UPS Emergency Battery Backup
Ott Lite True Color Flex-Arm Plus Lamp
Concord Eye-Q Digital Camera
Canon PowerShot A400 Digital Camera
Copyright 2002 Dawn L. Stewart
