The Sports Photo Guy

With more UDMA-enabled CompactFlash readers out on the market, it’s time to update our test results.  Interesting new readers from Kingston, Delkin, ATP, and Hama get a look in this article.

 No record-setters in this group, but two competent multi-format readers and an interesting, if slower, contraption from Delkin round out our test results:

Lexar Professional UDMA Dual-Slot USB Reader ($40) – 26 MB/sec
Hama Card Reader Writer 35-in-1 ($15) – 24 MB/sec
Omniflash Uno! USB 2.0 CF Reader ($17) – 24 MB/sec
Kingston USB 2.0 Hi-Speed 19-in-1 Reader ($15) – 23 MB/sec
Hoodman RAW USB 2.0 UDMA Reader ($40) – 22 MB/sec
ATP Pro Max Card Reader USB 2.0 ($12) – 21 MB/sec
Delkin ImageRouter ($100) – 20 MB/sec

Products in bold above were tested for this report; other readers were tested previously.

The Hama Card Reader Writer 35-in-1 is a nice multi-card reader that supports UDMA CompactFlash cards.  It clocked in with the second fastest overall time, and the price is right.  Unfortunately for us Americans, it is only available in Europe.  I got mine via eBay for a very reasonable price (about $19 after currency conversion, with shipping) but it took about eight weeks to arrive.  The Hoodman RAW 2GB card hit 26 MB/sec in this reader.

A nice alternative in multi-format readers is the Kingston USB 2.0 Hi-Speed 19-in-1 Reader.  For just $15, you get a nice little reader with an interesting design and UDMA CF support.  Several cards hit 24 MB/sec in this reader.

Updated 7/19: The ATP Pro Max reader was a little disappointing, although the claimed speed of 22 MB/sec was in line with reality, unlike most manufacturers’ claims.  It’s a nice looking device and the little swing-out USB connector (a short extension plug is included) makes it a nice, compact package for laptop users.  The SanDisk Extreme IV 2GB card hit 24 MB/sec in this reader.

The pricey Delkin ImageRouter was introduced earlier this year, to much fanfare.  Its forte is really as a multi-card reader, and I’ll be testing this feature out soon.  As a single-card reader, however, its performance lags.  None of our test cards was able to top 22 MB/sec, and Delkin’s own CF card (not part of the official test group) registered a knuckle-dragging 16 MB/sec.