XtraDrive for SecureDigital& MultiMediaCard

• Turn Standard Flash Memory Into A Thumb Drive
• Reads up to 1 GB *Memory Card Not Included
• XtraDrives have a cool gem-tone colored, transparent cap that allows the user to see if a media card is installed.
• XtraDrive package also includes a USB adapter cable. The 18 cable is great for situations when slots on the computer are too cramped for space.

OK, But Wish it Were USB 2.0:
So far, this XtraDrive works fine. Once I got my camera's SD card into it and plugged it into a USB port on my computer, XP found it without trouble. I didn't need any additional drivers or anything special. However, I do worry about several things. First (though it's a desire and not a worry), I wish this were a USB 2.0 device instead of a USB 1.1 device. The reason is speed. USB 1.1 transfers at only 12 Mbits/s, whereas USB 2.0 transfers at 480 Mbits/s. I'm currently using a 1 GByte SD card with the XtraDrive. At 12 Mbits/s, it would take (8 bits/byte) x (10^9) bytes / (12 x 10^6 bits/sec) = .667 x 10^3 = 667 seconds or 11 minutes (best case) to transfer to whole card. A USB 2.0 interface would do that in 1/40th the time or 17 seconds (best case). Of course, that assumes the SD card, itself, can handle the transfer speed. Anyway, USB 2.0 would be a whole heck of a lot faster. My actual worries about the XtraDrive all have to do with fragility. First, opening the SD card compartment is difficult: You have to really push on a small plastic clip in a slot to get the thing to a state where you can pry it open: I don't know how long the plastic casing will stand up to that kind of treatment. Second, you insert the SD card by putting it onto the surface of the open compartment and sliding it forward. You could very easily start the card from the wrong place or not slide it properly since it's guided on only two sides. So, over time, that might damage the XtraDrive or the SD card. Third, I'm guessing that I have to put the cover back on while I'm using the XtraDrive for stability: that goes back to the problem with opening that compartment. And, finally, getting the plastic USB port cover off the business end of the XtraDrive is also difficult. Other than that, the device works flawlessly. Overall, I subtract one star for the lack of USB 2.0, and one star for possible long term fragility. Thus, I give the XtraDrive an OK 3 stars out of 5 rating.

bad unit, worse service:
Before you buy anything from these clowns, try calling their customer service after spending a half hour with the guy he said i had a bad unit but that they couldn't help me. thats the first and last mediagear product i am going to buy!

Reads only ONE type of cards:
From the description it sounds like a muli-cards reader but it is not. It only reads xD. That said, It is very small and sweet and works great.

Flimsy piece of crap:
Very weakly built, it broke within a week. The lid doesn't attach securely and, held only by one tiny hair of plastic, broke. Also, the chip is exposed and thus vulnerable. It doesn't make good connection with the card, so the damn thing will read only when it wants to! I had to fiddle with it and pray to it to make a connection, and even if it did it was unstable. What a cheap piece of crap. Please save yourself the headache and get something else.

Cheap, works great, very handy item:
I purchased this item at Fry's for $7.99 and it has performed flawlessly. I do lots of card swapping, and have been wondering how long the lid will last. Still going strong at right about 1 year. Mine also included a cable that makes this and other USB devices a snap to connect to any PeeCee. No more reaching around to the back of the system to plug something in. I use the cable more than the device! Overall has worked great for me, and you can't beat the price.