Best Reader for Compact Flash?

[PaulBoy]

My upgrade to the D200 means I now use CF cards rather than SD which is slightly annoying as my laptop has an SD card slot built in
I have been using an old USB reader which I think is only USB1 and need to get a USB2 reader - before I do I wondered if there was any advantage (or disadvantage) to getting a PCMCIA > CF reader or will USB2 give me a faster transfer rate?
Finally - whichever is best can you recommend a make / model / retailer
TIA ... Paul

[tomson]

Sandisk imagemate is pretty fast. Mine takes about 5 mins to clear 2gb of raw files. Compared to USB1 it flies.
Have a read here (bit old now thought):
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/sto...d-eraders.html

It was selling for £5.99 but has recently gone up to £9.99 at 7dayshop.

[SSB]

I have a Lexar 32 bit card cardbus reader which slots into my laptop PCMCIA slot - was about £20 or so through Amazon - I find it much more convenient when I'm travelling than a USB card reader.

EDIT - it's this one

[PaulBoy]

Originally Posted by SSB

I have a Lexar 32 bit card cardbus reader which slots into my laptop PCMCIA slot - was about £20 or so through Amazon - I find it much more convenient when I'm travelling than a USB card reader.

EDIT - it's this one

SSB - Sorry to come over all thicko but I've never used the PCMCIA slot on a laptop before - when you put the card reader in do you end up with a slot that the CF card fits in which when in is flush with the side of the laptop OR does any of the adapter or CF card stick out of the laptop?
Secondly how would the transfer rate of a PCMCIA adapter compare with the USB2 setup which looking at tomson's link (cheers btw tomson) is pretty rapid?
Cheers ... Paul

[SSB]

It should sit flush inside the slot - you use the little pop out button thing on your laptop to eject it. Transfer speeds should be at least as good as USB2

http://photo-i.co.uk/BB/viewtopic.ph...415709a8ade4fb

[sjameson]

I use a SanDisk 12 in 1 reader, goes as fast as, maybe faster than a SanDisk Extreme 3 CF card.

http://www.sandisk.co.uk/Products/It...derWriter.aspx

[PaulBoy]

Originally Posted by SSB

It should sit flush inside the slot - you use the little pop out button thing on your laptop to eject it. Transfer speeds should be at least as good as USB2

http://photo-i.co.uk/BB/viewtopic.ph...415709a8ade4fb

That's what I was hoping to hear (one less gadget & lead to tote about or lose!)
Think I'll search one of those out - Ta - Paul

[grantsteve]

Thought I'd bring this back to life rather than start a new thread...

I'm looking to get a card reader initially for SD cards (from my 'new' D50 ) but I suppose it would make sense to get a multi-reader in case I ever upgrade to say a D200 or something

Anyhoo, I was wondering if you can buy card readers that will connect using firewire? I have only seen one Lexar CF card reader that does firewire.

If anyone has one or has seen one, please post a linky.

Cheers

EDIT: Is there such a thing as a external HD with a card reader built in... firewire connection, of course? Nothing like killing two birds with one stone!

[sjameson]

I read in a magazine this/last month that Sandisk are to release a firewire reader to go with their upcoming Sandisk Extreme 4 cards.