Customer Reviews

Imation FlashGO! USB Flash Memory Card Reader/Writer

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have bought and used several different memory card readers from different manufacturers. My preference for the Imation FlashGO! is for 3 basic reasons:

1) Flexibility - it reads & writes every currently available type memory card available for the PDA/MP3/Camera market (and its design would allow future cards to be used, by buying an additional adapter - if Imation decides to make one).

2) Size - even with the adapters, this unit takes up the least amount of space. It comes with an extension USB cable, for use with a desktop machine that has a hard to reach USB port, but for my laptop, I leave the cable at home, and pack the FlashGO! and adapters in a pocket of my computer bag, and it adds barely any weight or bulk.

3) Brand - Imation (formerly the data division of 3M Corp) has been around a loooong time, so it has a greater chance of staying around. For a device this inexpensive, such longevity may not matter in regards to getting it repaired, as far as future formats go, I'd expect Imation to be voted "the company most likely" to come up with an adapter for the next format in the shortest amount of time.

If you only have one type of memory card (don't forget cameras, MP3 players & PDAs), and a single desktop machine you'd transfer data to and from, then it will probably be fine to go with a larger, less expensive, single format adapter. But if you use different formats and/or have a laptop, this is going to be a choice you won't regret in the long run.

My only wish for improvement is that they come out with a USB 2.0 version in the future, since as memory cards increase in capacity, the faster speed of USB 2.0 will be greatly appreciated (and offer those of us with the earlier version a NICE discount!).

01-27-03:
You can get the USB 2.0 version for 59.99 at CompUsa and many other places. So spending 62 bucks for the older slower technology is just silly. USB 2.0 is 10-40 times faster.

Imation Flashgo was easily installed using USB cable supplied. Cd-rom installed drivers, but did not produce a desktop icon.
Retrieval and storage of data was very easy with no loss of detail. I used this for photos on a multimedia card for which an adapter was enclosed. I'm very pleased with the product.

Got this from my friend who payed about $20 for it and then upgraded to USB2 so he gave me the "old" one.
It's great! I never installed any drivers! right away I used it constantly to move files from my PC to my PDA, mp3s, e-books, etc. Since a computer just detects it as a removable USB drive, you can use it anywhere with almost any machine.
I used it with SD, CF and Memory Sticks, on a Win2k machine and a Linux box.

Those "all-in-one" deals are okay, but who wants 6 "Removable Drives" popping up every time you plug it in??? yech.

On the downside:
This is obviously way overpriced. I suggest buying it elsewhere.
And I suppose if you really want to shuffle files directly between cards, this one isn't for you.
Note: Never try to format a Memory Stick from your PC using this card reader. Now that adapter doesn't work anymore. :( (but the rest do :) )