Introduction
After my inconsistent
LaCie 8-in-1 memory card reader finally gave up the ghost, I decided it was time for something more reliable. I checked out the usual suspects in the memory business: SanDisk, Lexar, etc. They all seem to make decent memory card readers. Since I shoot both CompactFlash and Secure Digital, I wanted a card reader that could accommodate both. Surprisingly, this limited my options quite a bit. I've had my eye on Delkin ever since they came out with truly archival CD-R's. This company is not always the most visible, but I've had nothing but good experiences with their products. When I discovered the Delkin Reader 38 and its ability to read and write any type of memory card, I decided to give it a try.
Features
SUPPORTED CARDS: Accepts 18 different memory card formats including CompactFlash Type I, CompactFlash Type II, MicroDrive, MagicStar, SmartMedia, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick Select, Memory Stick Pro Duo, Secure Digital, Mini Secure Digital, TransFlash (micro SD), Multimedia Card 4.0 (MMC Plus), Multimedia Card, Reduced Size MMC 4.0 (MMC Mobile), Reduced Size MMC, and xD.
- High-Speed USB 2.0
- Accepts 18 different memory card formats in five slots
- Dynamic hot-swappable card slots
- Drag and drop files from card to computer or card to card
- Microsoft Windows 98 / 98SE / ME / 2000 / XP compatible
- Mac OS 9 and X compatible
- Plug and Play
- FCC & CE approved
- Supports SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity)
- Removable USB 2.0 cable (40 inch length) included
A basic set of instructions is included on the back of the packaging. The instructions are very brief but easy to understand. Thankfully, this memory card reader is truly plug and play so instructions aren't really needed. A diagram on the packaging explains which direction the different types of memory cards need to be inserted.
As of April 2007, street price on the Reader 38 is extremely variable at the moment. I bought mine on eBay for $14. The big name national camera stores (don't go in there!) sell them for $50. That's a rip off if ever there was one, considering you can purchase direct from Delkin's website for $35. So, it's worth it to shop around for the best deal.
Perhaps best of all, Delkin includes a five year warranty with this reader. As far as I know, this is the best in the industry for this type of device.
Performance
Compatibility
So far, I have used only CompactFlash and Secure Digital memory cards in this reader. In both cases, the cards easily slide in and out of this reader and make solid contact inside - I've never had a missed connection. To date, I've only used
SanDisk Extreme III CompactFlash cards in this reader, all of them without issue.
On the same Windows XP computer that my LaCie reader didn't like, this Delkin has had no problems whatsoever. It truly is plug and play - no drivers, no installation procedures, just plug it in. I simply unplugged my LaCie, removed the Delkin from its package, and plugged it into the same USB port that the LaCie was plugged into it. Similarily, it's worked flawlessly on my Apple MacBook with OS X (10.4). As soon as I plug it in to the MacBook and insert a memory card, a drive icon appears on my desktop.
Speed
This is the fastest memory card reader I have ever used. Most readers are USB 2.0 these days and that would seem to level the playing field, but I have noticed slight differences between brands and models. It is noticeably faster than my Lacie 8-in-1 reader, and just slightly faster than my portable Dazzle Thunderbolt. I've made this comparison while transferring 15.9 MB image files shot on my
Nikon D200 camera using SanDisk Extreme III CompactFlash cards. This observation applies to both read and write speeds, although I spend more time reading than writing (as I'm guessing most photographers do). Compared to the transfer rate between my camera and my computer, well, there is no comparison. The Delkin Reader 38 transfers images to my computer about three times faster than my camera can. This makes the small price I paid for this reader easily justifiable, and many times over.
Ergonomics
The Delkin Reader 38 is very light, making for excellent portability with a laptop. As far as I can tell, this is due to the fact that the body is constructed entirely of plastic. The plastic feels fairly thin, which may present durability issues if it gets knocked around while traveling. This is likely an issue for any memory card reader however. On my desk, this unit is almost too light. The weight of the USB cable tugs the rear of the unit down, pulling the front up. On the bright side, this makes the drive slots on the front easy to access. Considering how many different types of memory cards it can read, it is also compact and takes up minimal space in my camera bag when I'm traveling.
The removable 40 inch USB cable is just long enough to reach around the top of my desk to my computer on the floor below. I wish it were even just a little longer, maybe another eight inches, to allow for some flexibility in the placement of the unit on my desktop. If you have a keyboard or monitor with additional USB ports, this will probably not be an issue for you.
The drive slots on the front are clearly labeled, albeit with small lettering because there is only so much space on such a relatively compact unit. I've really only needed to look at the labels once to memorize which type of card goes where, so this isn't a big deal. If you're shooting five or six different memory cards, this could become a small issue.
The indicator lights shine through the translucent black top of the reader to tell you what's going on. Unfortunately, they are a little too dim under daylight conditions. You really have to stare at the reader carefully if you need to know if it is writing or reading. In a more dimly lit room, this isn't a problem.
Conclusions
To date, this is the most reliable and highest speed memory card reader I've used. Given its versatility with so many different memory card types, this is a very easy reader to recommend. With its street price as low as $14, you won't find anything better for the money.
B&H Photo Video Pro Audio
