Reliable Card Reader?

[jackstar7]

Does such a thing exist? My gf has a Shuttle SH67H3 running solidly except for the card reader which craps out in a new way each time. She is a photographer and runs a retail business with this system, so CF and SD both come into regular use (and each has failed on individual units) and I just want to find something that will hold up.

Can anyone link me to a card reader that won't just crap out? Does such a thing exist?

Ideally: internal, 3.5 size, and not USB3 (as I do not have an open PCIe slot and the mobo doesn't have an open 19pin USB spot. The current is a Rosewill (second one) with a few USB slots in addition to card slots. I thought it was ideal, but the failed CF on one and the failed SD on the next have really taken the wind from my sails on trying to make sure she's got a system that can meet her needs.

Should I just go external, and is there an external that's reliable? I'd prefer not to go external, but I'm prepared to force it on her.

I apprecaite any help on this one.

 

[radhak]

I don't know about longevity, but I got this :

http://www.directron.com/kwcr901.html

just 10 days ago for my new build, and it works like a champ. Meets all your other criteria too.

If you see reviews on Amazon you'd see it has been DOA for some people, but I've nothing but good to say of it.

 

[Termie]

I'd recommend this Kingston USB 3.0 external card reader for around $25: http://www.amazon.com/Kingston-Memor...on+card+reader

In addition to offering much higher speeds than typical internal readers (if you eventually upgrade to USB 3.0), it's also easier to replace as standards change. I used to put internal readers in all my systems, but they just kept getting obsolete. Furthermore, you're getting a brand name in Kingston here, as opposed to the internal readers, which are often the equivalent of generic.

 

[jackstar7]

Appreciate the suggestions. I've got both sitting in my cart and will decide after I try out something I snagged at Newegg on impulse.

It does seem like none of these have any level of reliability, which I suppose explains why the "pricey" ones are $20.

 

[radhak]

I agree - I was willing to pay much higher if I could have gotten a 'guarantee' that it'd work. But every reader seems to have serious detractors (who received bad units, maybe, but still)

edit : I just now saw this one. 10 out 11 have only good things to say of it, and even the 11th reviewer says it does not work multiple cards simultaneously, which is really not that bad. And I see from the pictures that there are detailed instructions for installation! In this sphere, that makes it a Rolls Royce among card readers !

 

[jackstar7]

Good find! Thanks. I never trusted Startech for quality, but the reviews are positive... purchase made...

 

[Charlie98]

I went through 2 Rosewill card readers before I got one that works.... next time I'll be going with an external... it makes more sense for me, but probably not for you given your purpose.

purchase made...

Let us know how it works out...

 

[jackstar7]

Let us know how it works out...

I will. Hopefully one of the ones I purchased will work for longer than a couple weeks/months.

 

[Termie]

I will. Hopefully one of the ones I purchased will work for longer than a couple weeks/months.

Check the reviews on the Kingston external I linked above. They are exceptional. That's why I chose it over a generic internal. They are basically all garbage. I read the reviews on all of them before deciding to go external. And you know what? I actually really like having it on my desk more than having it in the front of the computer.

 

[jackstar7]

Check the reviews on the Kingston external I linked above. They are exceptional. That's why I chose it over a generic internal. They are basically all garbage. I read the reviews on all of them before deciding to go external. And you know what? I actually really like having it on my desk more than having it in the front of the computer.

If it was for me, I'd go external without a thought... but the gf will not have it...

I do appreciate your suggestion and might be able to force it on her if it comes to that.