Author Topic: Best CF USB 3 Card Reader (Read 49293 times)

Midphase · « **on:** December 31, 2013, 07:11:08 AM »

Is there any general consensus on what the best CF card readers are out there? Particularly for UDMA-7 Komputerbay 1000X and above cards?

I read that Lexar readers could create some corruption in some of the cards. I've been using this guy for a while with no issues:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036DDXUW/ref=oh_details_o04_s01_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It works well but I've been wanting to move to USB 3 for faster transfer speed, been contemplating this one:

http://www.amazon.com/PixelFlash-No-Bend-Compact-SuperSpeed-Adapter/dp/B005IMFX2K/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1388469189&sr=8-6&keywords=cf+usb+3.0+card+reader

Any thoughts or recommendations for any other readers?

Many thanks!

Krane · « **Reply #1 on:** December 31, 2013, 09:30:25 AM »

Quote from: Midphase on December 31, 2013, 07:11:08 AM

Is there any general consensus on what the best CF card readers are out there? Particularly for UDMA-7 Komputerbay 1000X and above cards?

I read that Lexar readers could create some corruption in some of the cards. I've been using this guy for a while with no issues:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036DDXUW/ref=oh_details_o04_s01_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It works well but I've been wanting to move to USB 3 for faster transfer speed, been contemplating this one:

http://www.amazon.com/PixelFlash-No-Bend-Compact-SuperSpeed-Adapter/dp/B005IMFX2K/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1388469189&sr=8-6&keywords=cf+usb+3.0+card+reader

Any thoughts or recommendations for any other readers?

Many thanks!

Yes, this is the best and fastest (UDMA 7) reader currently available:

Lexar Professional USB 3.0 Dual-Slot USB Reader

reddeercity · « **Reply #2 on:** December 31, 2013, 09:47:35 AM »

I have a Certified Data USB 3.0 Reader , I get about 90-100 MB/s
Model# GUC-N03, its made these Guys.
http://www.computex.biz/glorymark/default.aspx?com_id=1324&pdt_id=41887&PageType=ProductDetail&ContentTab=Introduction

Ryan · « **Reply #3 on:** December 31, 2013, 12:22:22 PM »

From what I've read here it seems that UDMA7 compatibility is a mess. The Lexars are supposed to have issues with Komputerbay cards. Komputerbay recommends Kingston unless you have 1050x cards for which the Transcend RDF8 (firmware upgrade necessary?) seems to work well but that same reader is said to cause corruption with some of the older KB cards.

Sounds like a PITA. Ideally I would just stick to transcend cards and readers since those have never let me down. Too bad they are still almost 2X the price of the KB cards.

It would be nice to have a sticky with compatible cards and readers.

togg · « **Reply #4 on:** January 03, 2014, 02:47:03 PM »

I use this one and everything is cool, http://www.ebay.it/itm/PixelFlash-USB-3-0-No-Bend-Pins-Compact-Flash-Memory-Card-Reader-CF-Adapter-/360620778042?pt=US_Memory_Card_Readers_Adapters&hash=item53f6ac623a&_uhb=1 , but I haven't never really tested it. :/

chris_overseas · « **Reply #5 on:** January 03, 2014, 04:13:03 PM »

If you're after an internal USB 3.0 card reader for a desktop PC I can recommend the Akasa AK-ICR-14 (http://www.akasa.co.uk/update.php?tpl=product/product.detail.tpl&no=181&type=Card%20Reader/Hub&type_sub=Card%20Reader&model=AK-ICR-14). I get 100MB/s transfers from it when using UDMA7 CF cards. Note that Akasa also make other very similar products that only read cards at USB 2.0 speeds so be careful you get the right model.

Midphase · « **Reply #6 on:** January 07, 2014, 03:41:47 AM »

So the official reply from Komputerbay is this:

"We recommend investing in a Kingston USB 3.0 FCR-HS3."

There you have it!

Now, the ironic part is that at least according to Kingston's literature this is not a UDMA7 reader, but Komputerbay says it actually is so I believe them.

I also picked up the Pixelflash reader since it was so inexpensive and advertised as a UDMA7 reader and so far I'm quite happy with it too.

Transferring a 64Gb CF card went from taking about 30 minutes with my old reader to about 10 with the new one!

Africashot · « **Reply #7 on:** January 07, 2014, 06:56:16 AM »

I have been using the above mentioned Lexar (http://www.amazon.com/Lexar-Dual-Reader-Professional-LRW307URBNA/dp/B007FEFQDA/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1389073403&sr=1-1&keywords=lexar+reader) with my Komputerbay cards and no issues so far.

jose_ugs · « **Reply #8 on:** January 07, 2014, 04:42:14 PM »

The Kingston USB 3.0 FCR-HS3 is a beast! I have the PixelFlash as well, but if you use it a lot, sooner or later you'll push it sideways while it's plugged and you'll see it's too damn fragile. Looks cool, but you gotta be gentle with it

The Kingston is way better, at least to me... so thumbs up for both of them, just mind the usability issue...

Pelican · « **Reply #9 on:** January 07, 2014, 04:56:07 PM »

I'm using this:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/815153-REG/Transcend_TS_RDF8K_USB_3_0_Multi_Card.html
It can read the Transcend 400x card about 110MB/s which is higher than the specified speed (90 MB/s) for that card.

Midphase · « **Reply #10 on:** January 09, 2014, 08:57:43 AM »

So I just got a MacBook Pro with USB 3.0 and tested my new readers. The Kingston works just fine, but the Pixelflash doesn't at all!

Anyone have any experience with this? While the Kingston will transfer the data without any problems, when I use the Pixelflash, I get a "this disk is unrecognizable" error....what gives?

Krane · « **Reply #11 on:** January 10, 2014, 04:04:41 AM »

Quote from: Midphase on January 09, 2014, 08:57:43 AM

So I just got a MacBook Pro with USB 3.0 and tested my new readers. The Kingston works just fine, but the Pixelflash doesn't at all!

Anyone have any experience with this? While the Kingston will transfer the data without any problems, when I use the Pixelflash, I get a "this disk is unrecognizable" error....what gives?

Sounds like an inferior brand. Send it back and buy only name brand products for now on. The cheap stuff just can't keep up with RAW.

dolina · « **Reply #12 on:** January 14, 2014, 04:49:30 AM »

Quote from: Ryan on December 31, 2013, 12:22:22 PM

From what I've read here it seems that UDMA7 compatibility is a mess. The Lexars are supposed to have issues with Komputerbay cards. Komputerbay recommends Kingston unless you have 1050x cards for which the Transcend RDF8 (firmware upgrade necessary?) seems to work well but that same reader is said to cause corruption with some of the older KB cards.

Sounds like a PITA. Ideally I would just stick to transcend cards and readers since those have never let me down. Too bad they are still almost 2X the price of the KB cards.

It would be nice to have a sticky with compatible cards and readers.

Thanks for mentioning compatibility problems with the Lexar USB 3 card readers and Komputerbay cards. I have two Lexars and I do not see my migrating to yet another memory card reader again.

Greed4Speed · « **Reply #13 on:** January 31, 2014, 09:46:06 AM »

I've got this one, its great.
http://www.kingston.com/en/flash/readers#fcr-hs3

Nang · « **Reply #14 on:** February 01, 2014, 01:04:58 AM »

Quote from: Pelican on January 07, 2014, 04:56:07 PM

I'm using this:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/815153-REG/Transcend_TS_RDF8K_USB_3_0_Multi_Card.html
It can read the Transcend 400x card about 110MB/s which is higher than the specified speed (90 MB/s) for that card.

+1 for the above. It's been working like a charm

duey101 · « **Reply #15 on:** April 16, 2014, 04:58:26 PM »

+1 for the Kingston FCR-HS3 it is a beast indeed and has no problems with my files. I am using SanDisk 64GB Extreme Pro CompactFlash Memory Cards (160MB/s) and they handle the mlv/raw continuous with no issues at all. Very nice cards and of course a perfect match to this reader.

Canon eos m · « **Reply #16 on:** April 19, 2014, 04:42:04 AM »

Quote from: duey101 on April 16, 2014, 04:58:26 PM

+1 for the Kingston FCR-HS3 it is a beast indeed and has no problems with my files. I am using SanDisk 64GB Extreme Pro CompactFlash Memory Cards (160MB/s) and they handle the mlv/raw continuous with no issues at all. Very nice cards and of course a perfect match to this reader.

I got my Kingston yesterday. Surely a beast and love the smooth way the CF glides in the CF slot. My CLIPtec had some issues trying to align the pins (always worried about damage).

SiSS · « **Reply #17 on:** September 04, 2014, 12:18:31 PM »

Has anyone used Lexar CFR1 USB 3.0 reader?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1002491-REG/lexar_lrwcfr1rbna_professional_workflow_card_reader.html/prm/alsVwDtl
It seems that every reader has it's problems, but there's not much about CFR1.

Or is Kingston still the way to go with newer KB cards?

Reading reviews have become a pain. Here's some claims to sum up:

Lexar Dual Slot - fast, but dies and ugly results with KB cards
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/845797-REG/Lexar_LRW307URBNA_Professional_USB_3_0_Dual_Slot.html/prm/alsVwDtl

Transcend - they say it's slow
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/815153-REG/Transcend_TS_RDF8K_USB_3_0_Multi_Card.html

Sandisk - Poor design, issues with pins, won't last
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/810152-REG/SanDisk_SDDR_289_A20_ImageMate_All_in_One_USB_3_0.html/prm/alsVwDtl

Lexar CFR1 - can't find anything ML or KB related
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1002491-REG/lexar_lrwcfr1rbna_professional_workflow_card_reader.html/prm/alsVwDtl

Kingston - KB recommends, however not UDMA7, corrupted file reports.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1041061-REG/kingston_fcr_hs3_usb_3_0_card_reader.html

Please share your experience!

spnsir · « **Reply #18 on:** October 26, 2014, 01:52:49 PM »

I've been shooting raw for a year and have had no problems with Lexar dual slot readers, I have two currently.

AilsaPF · « **Reply #19 on:** November 18, 2015, 03:43:57 AM »

Quote

Is there any general consensus on what the best CF card readers are out there? Particularly for UDMA-7 Komputerbay 1000X and above cards?

I read that Lexar readers could create some corruption in some of the cards. I've been using this guy for a while with no issues:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036DDXUW/ref=oh_details_o04_s01_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It works well but I've been wanting to move to USB 3 for faster transfer speed, been contemplating this one:

http://www.amazon.com/PixelFlash-No-Bend-Compact-SuperSpeed-Adapter/dp/B005IMFX2K/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1388469189&sr=8-6&keywords=cf+usb+3.0+card+reader

Any thoughts or recommendations for any other readers?

Many thanks!

I think maybe the second one is great, like its read speeds up to 500 MB/s and transfers up to a smoldering 5GB/s function, and the size is great for travelling.

mothaibaphoto · « **Reply #20 on:** November 18, 2015, 05:10:14 AM »

Quote from: Nang on February 01, 2014, 01:04:58 AM

+1 for the above. It's been working like a charm

Use this for a long time with KB, Sandisk, Transcend card - no issues, adequate speed.

eyeland · « **Reply #21 on:** December 03, 2015, 09:49:55 PM »

Been using the Transcend reader for a while.
After half a year a pin got bend but I managed to carefully correct it. After switching to a rMBP from my trusty TP, the reader starting acting up and today, 2 months later it is completely dead, less than 2 years old. Been transferring less than a TB in its lifetime, kinda disappointing. Had issues with corrupt ML raw a few times and Corrupt RAW stills once shortly before it died, not sure if the reader is to blame. Been using it with Transcend, lexar and KB cards.
Looking for a replacemtn atm, is the pixelflash worth the extra cost compared to the transcend?
EDIT: Just realized that I had the transcend rader since the beginning of the ML raw revolution. Time flies I guess.
In that case it is less disappointing that it died I guess.

Walter Schulz · « **Reply #22 on:** December 03, 2015, 09:53:54 PM »

http://www.cameramemoryspeed.com/reviews/card-readers/
I would go with UHS-II compatible types. No ML cam supports it now, though.

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Author Topic: Best CF USB 3 Card Reader (Read 49293 times)

Ryan