Lexar Universal Digital Film Reader

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Used product for
0-1 years

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
1 votes

Price Paid:  $30.00 from NewEgg.com

Summary:
I got the Lexar USB 2.0 7-in-1 Card Reader. I've only used it with CF cards, so I can't comment on how it works with other types of media. It works fine with a 256MB card. Unfortunately, it can't handle a 1GB CF card. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. When it doesn't, it takes forever and then the data is corrupted. The problem is definitely not the card because I can download the same files directly from the camera with no problems (except that it's slow). The whole reason I got the card reader was because it takes so long to downloade a 1GB card from the camera, but I have to use the camera anyway because the Lexar card reader doesn't work.

Strengths:
none that come to mind

Weaknesses:
Can't handle a 1GB CF card (Type I)

Customer Service:
The worst! I've tried 4 times to contact tech support. Once I got a form mail from them assuring me my "question and its resolution" are very important to them, and that one of the Technical Support Representatives would contact me in two business days to resolve my problem. They never did. A week later, I sent them another e-mail, and it's been another week since then and I've never heard from them.

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
1 Month

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5,
1 votes

Summary:
This media reader is both extremely easy to use, as well as affordable at a relatively low retail price (mine was purchased at $49.99 at a major computer store in New York). Installation involved three easy steps, clearly defined in the provided documentation. Within two minutes, and one reboot I had the media reader working on my Dell laptop. Once running, the media reader is used like any other drive or storage device on the computer. All you have to do is click and drag to move and manage all your files. Data transfer, while not rated in literature to be as high as some other devices, is certainly adequate for use. With my 16 MB Olympus Smartmedia card it takes about 3-4 min to transfer all the pictures, when the card is full; the same task would have taken close to a half hour with the provided serial connection. Anybody with a digital camera not included with a USB connection should consider this product.

Strengths:
-Extremely easy and fast setup and use. -Easily transferable to other computers. -Accepts three different types of media for versatile use. -Lower retail cost compared to other media readers on the market

Weaknesses:
-Delicate insertion/removal of Smartmedia card

Similar Products Used:
None

Customer Service:
Haven't needed yet.

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
2 Weeks

Summary:
I purchased the USB version of this drive a couple of weeks ago. This is one of the best digital film-related purchases I've ever made. It works transparently and is fast, fast, fast. I would definitely consider this a must-have for DC users who use SmartMedia or CompactFlash storage cards.

Strengths:
Easy to set up (just load drivers and plug it in). Easy to use - just like a regular drive. Fast, fast, fast...much better than serial or FlashPath adapters.

Weaknesses:
Thin instruction booklet didn't engender confidence, but as it turns out it wasn't even needed.

Similar Products Used:
Olympus FlashPath floppy disk adapter.

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
2 Months

Summary:
I have the Olympus 460Z and downloading the pictures from the camera takes to long. A day after I brought the camera I went out and got this film reader. All I can say it that this reader is awesome!! (USB) I would recommend this product to anyone who wants a super fast download.

Strengths:
Easy setup. super fast

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
none

Customer Service:
have not had to use.

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
2 Months

Summary:
This usb card reader is awesome. I can download 72 high res photos from my media card in seconds!! Much, much better than flash path.

Strengths:
ease of use. does what it's supposed to. super fast.

Weaknesses:
None!

Similar Products Used:
None