Delkin Devices READER-24 FireWire Reader and Writer for CompactFlash

by Delkin

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0000CNZRZ
• Item model number: DDREADER-24
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 9, 2003

Product Description

Delkin's external tabletop eFilm FireWire Reader/Writer (Reader-24) is designed for high-end digital photography enthusiasts and professionals who want to dramatically speed workflow. The contents from CompactFlash Type I, Type II and Microdrives can be downloaded to a computer in seconds, and can write back to the card as well. The Reader-24 is powered via the FireWire cable, so it doesn't require any external power connections, is plug-and-play and works with any PC or Mac with a FireWire port. The Reader-24 is housed in a sturdy and sleek black plastic shell complete with stylish gray rubber footpads. The removable FireWire cable and small portable size give you flexibility in creating a custom workstation that's stylish, reliable and convenient.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Works with Macs, May 7, 2004

By 

Glenn R. Howes (Nashua, NH) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Delkin Devices READER-24 FireWire Reader and Writer for CompactFlash (Personal Computers)

I'd been meaning to get a compact flash reader as an accessory for my 3 year old Canon ELPH S110 which uploads pictures quite slowly over the standard USB 1.1 interface and has been known to power down mid-upload. Being a Mac user, I wanted to get a FireWire adaptor and not spend too much money, so I searched Amazon and found this device.

So far, it's been about what I expected. I insert my card into the device, plug the device into an open FireWire port on my PowerBook G4, iPhoto launches and I click a button to start the upload.

Here are some sample upload times for 150 phots of around 0.8 MB each:
Direct camera to computer connection with USB 1.1
PowerBook G4 12": 7 minutes 8 seconds
PowerMac G4 667 Mhz: 9 minutes 6 seconds

Using Delkin Firewire Reader:
PowerBook G4 12": 4 minutes 25 seconds
PowerMac G4 667 Mhz: 3 minutes 29 seconds

So, as you can see, the device is significantly if not spectacularly faster than a direct USB connection.

I've used the device with both a SanDisk Ultra II 256MB card and a SiliconTech 128MB card with no apparent difficulties. Despite being much newer, the SanDisk card doesn't appear to be significantly faster than the older card.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, A CompactFlash Card Reader That Works!!!, December 1, 2003

By 

"litz123" (Garden City, KS United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Delkin Devices READER-24 FireWire Reader and Writer for CompactFlash (Personal Computers)

Lets face it folks, USB is not universal. Maybe it will work, maybe it won't, or sometimes almost, but not always.

I've tried over six USB 1.1 and 2.0 CF card readers, on different PC's and operating systems ... none to my satisfaction ... read errors, function device drivers not found, won't "eject" or dismount properly, etc, etc.

The first time I pluged in the Delkin Devices READER-24 FireWire Reader - it worked!!! No special drivers needed either.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars MUCH faster camera downloads compared to USB 1.1!, February 24, 2005

By 

Name Withheld "Dan W MD" (North East USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Delkin Devices READER-24 FireWire Reader and Writer for CompactFlash (Personal Computers)

I just received this product. After opening the package, I plugged it into my Macintosh PowerBook G4 computer's FireWire port. It immediately displayed the Compact Flash card as a removable drive. Reading and writing were exceptionally fast (as expected for FireWire 400). The device required absolutely no configuration whatsoever in order to function correctly.

Except for the fact that it only reads/writes to Compact Flash media (some readers have multiple format capability so I only gave this one 4/5 stars), it's an outstanding device. It comes with its own FireWire cables, so this saves a few dollars.

If you've been downloading pictures with USB 1.1, this device is well worth the money, given the time and frustration you'll save yourself. Plus, you can upload new firmware such as the hack to unlock some Digital Rebel features (http://satinfo.narod.ru/en/index.html).

-Dan W