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Article Title: Lexar RW019 Firewire Compact Flash Reader

Article Author: Daryl Quenet
Article Category: Hardware Related
Times Read: 1436
Date: 2006-12-31 20:24:10
Pages: 1

Every year it seems they can fit more, and more into a compact flash package. I shoot with an 8GB 150X Samsung OEM Compact Flash Type I, and there are now 16GB Compact Flash units on the market. The trade off for larger memory cards is the amount of time it takes to download your photos.

Now enter the Lexar Firewire Compact Flash Reader (Lexar RW019-001 Rev 9), it is a sleek well thought out memory card reader. Unlike most card readers on the market it only reads one type of flash memory unlike the common 16+ in 1 readers. So why would I be interested in this product? Sheer download speed!

Out of the four card readers that I own this unit is by far the fastest for reading compact flash. Although USB 2.0 is a faster specification at 480mbit Vs 400mbit for Firewire, USB2 suffers from considerably higher latency times making Firewire a more suitable connection for large data transfers such as memory cards, digital video, or external hard drives.

Now not only does it outperform the competition it has a folding design so when it is not in use the Compact Flash slot is covered. This prevents dust from getting in the pins, and being jammed into the compact flash cards, giving them a longer lasting life.

Now one thing to mention if your looking for a Firewire Compact Flash Reader make sure you have a 6 pin Firewire slot, some laptops have the smaller 4 pin Firewire connections where the missing two pins usually carry the power so a powered hub is required.

If you're a serious photographer shooting SLR cameras with large memory cards this unit is a must. I've been using mine for 4 months and have transferred around 10,000 photos through it without any issues, and faster then I would have thought possible. Enjoy your photographing!

Lexar Website: http://www.lexar.com
Product Page: http://www.lexar.com/readers/firewire.html