SanDisk ImageMate 12-in-1 USB 2.0 Flash Memory Card Reader SDDR-89-A15

This is a superb portable/dockable/easy-to-use multi-memorycard reader. Out-of-the-box it installs effortlessly (true plug-and-play) and supports 12 different types of media. I've swapped images, music, and files between several machines running Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows ME, and even OS X without having to install any drivers. It comes with a convenient docking station that can be attached your home system, for example, AND another USB 2.0 cable that can be used on the road with your laptop. Personally, I use it all the time for mini-storage and to trasfer various things between many systems using SD, Compact Flash, and a few other types of cards. It supports the media for my digital camera, digital video camera, and those of most my friends--so, it makes sharing very simple as well. You don't have to worry about plugging in your friends' cameras, installing drivers for each camera, then fidgeting with the camera until you can get pictures off it. All you do is insert the memory card and access it like a normal diskette. The drive doesn't require much to operate and is very small, so you can take it anywhere.

I've been searching for a USB 2.0 flash card reader that doesn't need stupid drivers (I'm a bit obsessive about keeping my system clean) for the longest time and have finally found it!

When plugged in, the device shows up as 4 separate drives. Transfers are painless and you can also transfer between multiple flash card formats w/o copying to your hard drive first (though I haven't had a need to do this).

If you do install the drivers, there's a button on the reader that transfers files automatically. I haven't installed the software for this, so I don't know where the files go :-)

Thanks, Sandisk! Shame on Dazzle for making their 8-in-1 reader require drivers; my old USB1.1 Dazzle didn't need drivers so I thought their new USB2.0 reader was safe to buy. Tried the Lexar reader next and had the same problem. But now I'm happy again...

Overall this is a great flash reader, but you need to be careful if you use both a USB 2.0 PC adapter card for a laptop and a high capacity flash memory card.

I was going to return this to Amazon because at first I couldn't get it to work with my Sandisk Ultra II 2gb card when connected to my laptop via a USB 2.0 PC Card. I have 3 other CF cards of 512mb capacity each, 2 by SimpleTech and 1 by Transcend, and all these would work fine with the ImageMate. But for some reason, the 2gb card would not show up. After much experimentation, I tried connecting a small USB power cord to the USB 2.0 PC card, and finally the Ultra II card worked fine. The cord I used came with the PC card when I bought it, and one end plugs into the card below the 4 USB ports and the other end plugs into my computer's native USB 1.1 ports.

Apparently, the ImageMate reader requires a little more power than a laptop PC card adapter can supply on its own to read a higher capacity CF card -- at least the Sandisk Ultra II 2gb card. At first I thought it was a flaw in the ImageMate, but I tried a Lexar 2.0 reader on the same USB 2.0 PC card without the extra cord, and the same thing happened -- it could read lower capacity CF cards but not the 2gb Sandisk Ultra II. When I used the extra cord, the Lexar could read the card just fine.

So you only have to worry if you're using a higher capacity card on a hub or PC card that might not supply enough power. If your PC card came with a supplementary power cord, use that. If not, then go buy a PC card adapter that comes with such a cord. If you're using lower capacity CF cards or your computer's native USB ports, you won't have to worry.

The speed of this reader is pretty fast. I tested it against the Lexar 2.0 reader I have, and the ImageMate is about 20% faster. I transferred 1.89gb of data from the 2gb card to my computer in 4 minutes and 41 seconds.

Don't bother installing the ArcSoft button software they supply with this reader. It didn't do anything special, IMO, but most importantly it caused some hiccups on my Windows XP Pro-SP1 system on shutdown and reboot.

This is a well-made, sturdy and attractive reader with a little rubber strip on the bottom so it won't slip, plus a separate cradle. You can use the reader with or without the cradle.

If you're looking for a good, fast multi-card reader, this ImageMate will fill the bill.

Sandisk released another great reader with the ability to read any memory media format available.

What I like:
1- Portable light sturdy construction. I use it to move large files of data on a CF memory without carrying a laptop.
2- Fast data transfer with USB 2.0 connection.
3- Easy to install. Plug and play with Windows 2000 or XP (I have not tried other operating systems)
4- Stands vertically or horizontally. I was afraid it might not be stable when standing vertically, I was proven wrong. It is very stable even when you are installing/removing memory cartridges; non-slip rubber is used to prevent sliding.
5- Reads 12 different memory media. I can use my camera's CF memory, my other camera's memory stick and my Palm's SD memory all with the same device.
7- Elegant black and silver design that looks great on any desk.
8- Each slot has its own LED (small light) which indicates that the memory media has been inserted properly.

The only drawback:
1- It comes with 2 cables, one for the cradle (vertical position) and one for the reader itself (horizontal position). The cable for the horizontal position is really short, around 9inches, to be used other than directly near your desktop/laptop.

This reader works perfectly. Plug and play set up. The only thing that kept me from giving it 5 stars is that the cables may be too short for some people. For example, if you keep your PC on the floor but you want the reader on the desktop, the cable may not reach. I didn't have this problem, but other people will.

I plug this little baby into my computer and it recognizes the unit instantly. I did not have to use the cd that it comes with. I am running windows 2000. No problem encountered so far. The greatest thing about this product is that you can tranfer information directly from one drive to the next without copying to your hard drive. Very handy little gadget.

Someone complained that this device was garbage, but in my view, it is a well built "read and write anything" device that is at the top of it's class. It comes with a nice standalone desktop docking mount, and a generous USB cable for your primary PC, no matter what OS you run. It also comes with a short mini USB cable that you can use with the compact reader head to plug into most any PC or MAC that you come across while you are on the road.

The software included is the standard BS "lite" versions of a few photo editing programs, plus a Win/Mac driver that offers "features" like one button file transfers. Huh? All the software included is pretty much junk that is only included to entice you to buy the real version. Forget the included CD.

The reality is that the card reader works perfectly without any drivers being installed at all. I tried it on Win 2k systems, Win XP systems, and six different flavors of Linux, and in each case, the device showed up as four new drives (reflecting card type), and worked without error no matter what system I plugged it into, and without any drivers being loaded at all. I have been Windows free for about two years, but I still support Windows clients. This device is just as at home on my Linux PC's as it is on client Windows PC's, and without using any driver disks at all.

The bottom line is that it's a cheap, fast, quality multi card reader, and it doesn't care what OS you run. The "free" software included is just window dressing, and if you throw away the disk when it arrives at your doorstep, you will never miss it. This is a great reader that has both a desktop mount, and laptop portability. Did I mention that it's cheap? Buy one, and you will like it.

I've had sandisk readers since 1999. So easy, so handy, so desk friendly. Latest upgrade was to the 12-in 1. Bought a Canon S2IS camera that uses SD cards, and a Kodak that uses CF cards.
This little device handles both. I do wish the cord would have been longer, but thank goodness I have a Dell Ultrasharp 17" flat screen monitor that has USB ports built right into it. I'm running Windows XP PROFESSIONAL and have all the latest Windows SP packs installed. No problem what so ever. I too added a shortcuts to my desk top for each card I swap out, and renamed them.....CanonSD and KodakCF. That way, I pop in the card, click my shortcut and presto.....there are the photos. Installation was a snap too. I didnt even have to use the disc. Like I've said, this is my 3rd reader. One was used with my Windows 98 computer, one with Windows XP that took CF cards only, and now this one. None have ever failed either.
There are other card readers out there, but stick with SanDisk....they're the best. Just bought one for my Mom and my Daughter. They're going to love this..no more camera cables to try to hook up and fool with.

For those of you considering using this with your Linux system:

This device works well with both Ubuntu Breezy (Dapper, too) and Fedora Core 5, no drivers required.

I read one review for the SanDisk 8-in-1 reader not working with Windows XP-SP2 and several other reviews where it did work. Not being patient enough to wait for a reply from SanDisk customer support, I went to the store to buy it, but only one 12-in-1 model was on the shelf, so I bought that. There were no problems using it with Windows XP Service Pack 2.

Right now I have only 32MB SmartMedia cards, but they worked flawlessly in the reader/writer. I was able to insert and pull out the cards from the reader without getting the "blue screen of death." The USB 2.0 is Hi-Speed for sure. The docking station has a 40 inch cable, and there is a separate 9 inch cable to use with the reader/writer when it is unplugged from the docking station.

With the Button application installed, you can push the button and an ArcSoft application starts where you can direct your transfers. That works. In addition in Windows XP, without pushing a button, there's a built-in process where a separate dialog window opens where you can select among several actions based on the type of files on the card.

I am very pleased with my purchase, even though I paid the $34.99 retail price. Thanks to all the Amazon user reviewers of the 8-in-1, as that helped me make my selection.