To transfer pictures to photographer's workstation there are many different options to do this. A spreaded selection of different card readers for USB 1.1 and 2.0, PCMCIA, Cardbus and integrated solutions struggle for the photographer's favor. Mobile people with their notebooks don't like too much stuff around. So far either an integrated cardreader solution still exists or adding a extension card with CF reading capabilities is necessary. While an older PCMCIA card reader (8/16bit) comes along with a poor read/write performance combined with high CPU utilization the newer CARDBUS standard (32bit) guaranties a high read/write speed and low CPU usage. For sure? Let's see and read the short review below to form your own view on this technology.
After I've read so many different reviews, tests and opinions about cardreaders for notebooks I made the decission to order such a reader for my present and future notebook. Since I own a the Dynax/Maxxum 7D there is the need to transfer the large files to the hard drive as fast as possible. In my eyes only adapters from Delkin or Lexar are worth to buy them. End of June I placed an order at amazon.com for the Lexar CF Cardbus reader. Less than 6 business days later USPS delivered the parcel to my home address. Next there are some aspects I've experienced during first use of.
Dims: The card's form factor allows the user leaving this card in their slot due its fit to the slot and nothing sticks out as well with a CF card inserted into the adapter. Unfortunately you have to eject the whole card to remove the CF card. So far there is no way to remove by grabbing the card directly.
Installation: Using this card with MacOS or Windows 2000/XP requires the installation ofan additional driver in order to get this card running. That's not very convenient but drama-free and done within a few seconds.
Handling: Just a few words: very convenient. The card comes with a plastic case that protects it against damage and dust while the card is outside notebook's slot. Once a CF card is inserted into the reader a mechanical barrier, which protects the small pins against dirt and damage, will be unlocked. Than the CF card slides smoothly in its final position while the protection cover moves down disclosing the pins.
Speed: The read performance is a pleasure and there is absolutely no reason to complain about but writing isn't as much as fast than I'd expected (SanDisk Ultra® II CompactFlash® 2GB):
| Performance LEXAR Cardbus (11 MRW files at 98'660kb): | ||
|---|---|---|
| read speed: | 11'120kb/s | |
| write speed: | 6'420kb/s | |
| Performance Hama 19in1 v1.0 (11 MRW files at 98'660kb): | ||
|---|---|---|
| read speed: | 6'365kb/s | |
| write speed: | 4'290kb/s | |
On a Windows 2000 SP4 workstation multiple passes were made to ensure that no side effects have significant influence to this test. Furthermore a RAMDisk was used to bypass possible harddisk bottlenecks. During the tests no higher CPU utilization was detected that needs to be mentioned.
First of all Lexar has built up a high performance CompactFlash reader for the popular Cardbus interface. As many PC-Card adapters are only "adapters" this reader has an integrated electronic circuit that helps to speed up the transfer r/w rates with a minimum of CPU utilization over all. The read speed is adorable but also writing isn't bad. For changing the card you have to remove the adapter from its slot but this little disadvantage may be acceptable. Actually this Lexar Cardbus reader is one of the best choices for mobile people getting rid of external readers with their bothering cables. At the same time you can get full performance of your Compact Flash. No need to mention that this adapter is one's of the top of the line. If you want the speed you definitively need such a CF reader. Please feel free and contact me if you miss any facts or think they're worth to mention.
| © 2005, 2006 Torsten Mann, Pfingstbrunnenstr. 10, 65760 Eschborn, Germany. | Last Update:: July 4th, 2006 |