Lexar Media FIREWIRE COMPACTFLASH READER ( RW019-001 )

Rating:
Summary: Good for desktop, bad for notebook
Review: I bought this item with the idea of using it with both my desktop and notebook computers. The included 6-pin Firewire cable works fine with the standard Firewire port on my desktop. However, my notebook has a 4-pin Firewire port. FYI, the missing 2 pins carry the power. This device requires power and, according to Lexar's tech support, I would need a powered Firewire hub in order to get it to work. For me, this negates the portability and convenience that I was seeking. In the end, I decided to get a PCMCIA CF Reader for the notebook.

This device is very fast and I highly recommend it IF you have a 6-pin Firewire port. I gave it 4-stars because the caveat regarding the 4-pin Firewire port isn't documented.

Rating:
Summary: One note, played well
Review: The reader does what it is supposed to. I use it for transfering digital camera files, and it is substantially faster than a USB 2.0 reader. Lexar kindly made it possible to use a standard FireWire 400 cable with it. Unlike with some other Lexar readers, the door doesn't function as a stand, and it is clumsy to get off and on.

Rating:
Summary: One note, played well
Review: The reader does what it is supposed to. I use it for transfering digital camera files, and it is substantially faster than a USB reader. Lexar kindly made it possible to use a standard FireWire 400 cable with it. Unlike with some other Lexar readers, the door doesn't function as a stand, and it is clumsy to get off and on.

Rating:
Summary: Simple function, clumsy door
Review: This reader is, like most others, very simple to use. Unfortunately, the cover that Lexar provides with this product is clumsy and, I think, doomed to breakage. They should have used the simple but effective designs typical of their other readers.

Rating:
Summary: Fast download to PC
Review: This reader really shines with a fast card. I was able to transfer files from a full 1GB card (Lexar 80X) in 1 minute and 43 seconds.

The only issue I have with the reader is that it gets warm, much warmer than my older Sandisk USB reader. Even with no card attached, it's warm. I've made it a routine to remove the card as soon as the download is finished.