Belkin Hi-Speed USB 2.0 15-in-1 Media Reader & Writer Card reader

I seem to have lagged behind with this technology since its inception a few years back. More recently I've seen computers ship with these devices internally installed, and many brands and models are gradually creeping into computer retailers' catalogs!

After a joint purchase of a Fuji Digital Camera with my housemates, as this was the most viable option being a very poor student, (sad violin strikes up :D), the three of us decided ...
...sensible thing we all did. Living in a housefull of friends is difficult enough (who hasn't done their washing up? hehe), getting on each others toes and all that. We all thought it best to avoid the "who deleted my photos from the other day" fallout. Fuji cameras use the xD card format, which this reader is capable of accessing.

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But why not just transfer using ... more

I seem to have lagged behind with this technology since its inception a few years back. More recently I've seen computers ship with these devices internally installed, and many brands and models are gradually creeping into computer retailers' catalogs!

After a joint purchase of a Fuji Digital Camera with my housemates, as this was the most viable option being a very poor student, (sad violin strikes up :D), the three of us decided to each purchase our own memory card. Perhaps the most sensible thing we all did. Living in a housefull of friends is difficult enough (who hasn't done their washing up? hehe), getting on each others toes and all that. We all thought it best to avoid the "who deleted my photos from the other day" fallout. Fuji cameras use the xD card format, which this reader is capable of accessing.

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But why not just transfer using the camera over USB?
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Up to this point, it's why I haven't bought a card reader - what's the point when you can just hook up your camera and go? Well, now we all have our own cards, it's become simpler to leave the camera in our living area and just pop in our own card when we're taking it out. As the camera now remains in the living area (OK, I'm being pretentious: the lounge), I can just pop out the card and click it into the card reader when I'm ready to upload the day's snappings!

Also, it's more convenient, as the card reader remains permanently plugged into a USB port and sits unassumingly on my desk (see attached photo!) All I do is plug a card into the right slot and my computer sees it. No fiddling about round the back with USB leads and no wearing down the batteries on that camera (No, I don't use a mains adaptor for my camera. Come on, you really plug in just to transfer photos? I thought not :D)

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OK, but this is a pretty specialised case! I'm a more conventional user with my own camera, why do I need one of these?
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Don't forget, this reader reads 15 different memory card formats! Not only will it read digital camera cards, it also reads cards from mobile phones and PDAs, compact flash cards, and well, just take a look at the spec! This list is impressive!

I recently changed my phone on contract, and over the course of a year, technologies for storing information are constantly changed, adapted and refined. My Nokia 6260 had a 32Mb Multimedia Memory Card. My new phone, the Nokia 3250 has a 128Mb MicroSD Memory Card (supplied with the MiniSD adapter to use with the card reader). I like the fact that this reader is able to access both these cards. Handy too, now I've recycled the 6260, I've retained the card as a small backup device for a couple of files.

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But I can plug my phone in via USB, I still don't see the point!
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In my experience, mobiles phones are often supplied with buggy utilities to help you transfer files and backup your phone etc. My girlfriend had an annoying experience with the Sony Eriksson software not recognising her phone, and I've found the Nokia PC Suite software to be clumsy and long-winded. By simply popping out your memory card, you can quickly click it into the card reader with no extra software required. I use the reader with a Mac running OSX. It comes with drivers pre-installed, so I simply plug in and the memory card pops up on the desktop. In Windows, I think XP has native support too, but a driver CD is supplied to install if necessary.

Put simply, it just makes life easier!

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What about Value for Money? Do I get any extras in the package?
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Not as such, but what more do you want? As far as I can remember (opening a card reader package isn't exactly your wedding day...), the package contained the unit itself, a driver CD, a glossy paper manual and a quickstart guide.

The added bonus with this particular reader is that it's entirely bus-powered. In other words, there's no extra power adaptor needed to use the little machine! You can see why really, as the unit only turns on when you plug a card in. As soon as it clicks in, the unit's green LED flashes on and all it's powering is that light and the tiny, thin card you've just popped in.

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Is there anything else I should know?
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Make sure you study the specs carefully. While this is a 15-in-1 unit, it makes it more confusing because many formats of memory card have many sub-formats. For instance, I had to purchase a small MMC adaptor before my MMC card would fit in the reader. This was because the card I had was designed to be compact for my phone and was not the standard size...!

There is very little chance of the unit breaking down in any way, and it doesn't require any maintenance. As the reader simply acts as an interface between your memory cards and the computer's USB port, the unit doesn't actually do any complicated work. It's largely, plug in, put somewhere convenient, and forget :D

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Sounds Good - What's your Verdict?
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If you're lucky enough to own many different electronic conveniences and find yourself swamped by formats and adaptors, or simply can't be bothered to fumble around plugging and unplugging USB cables anymore, you can certainly put your faith in this attractive card reader. Requiring nothing more than a quick breeze through the manual, or if you're technically minded, plugging a cable into the computer straight off, I can't think of anything more simple to install.

I paid about £17 which included delivery from Dabs.com and it's been worth every penny. Well done Belkin, a useful, unobtrusive product, housed in a stylish silver and grey box!

Thoroughly Recommended!

 

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