Review: Brando 55-in-1 Card Reader/Writer

Brando 55-in-1 Card Reader/Writer
Manufacturer: Brando
Site: Buy from Brando
Price: $28.00

Overview : Brando WorkShop 55 in 1 Card Reader works with the most popular cards, even new SDHC / SDHC 2.0 cards. Besides, it is able to read MicroSD/T-Flash, miniSD, Memory Stick Micro (M2) directly WITHOUT any adapters!!

With the new design and advanced chipset, it is capable of TURBO speed access! Like Extreme III CF, it takes only 6 secs to copy 100MB files, whereas other common card readers takes 14 secs.

So, what sort of disadvantages of this card reader? Smart Media Card is uncompatible though. Guess you no longer use Smart Media Card, don't you?

Features :

• Brando Workshop brand new extraordinary designed
• 5 slots 55 in 1 CARD READER
• True plug & play and hot swapping
• USB 2.0 speed - Fast data/files access and transfer rate up to 480Mbps
• MicroSD/T-Flash direct access No adapter required
• MiniSD direct access No adapter required
• M2 direct access No adapter required
• Support NEW high capacity standard SDHC SD card
• Compatible with PC & Mac
• RoHS compliant

Specifications :

• Size: 85x58x12mm (3.15"x2.28"x0.47")
• Weight: 40g (1.41 ounce)
• Interface: USB2.0 (480Mbps), backward compatible with USB 1.0/1.1
• Power Supply: Bus-powered
• System Requirements: Support Windows 2000 SP3/SP4, ME and XP, Support Mac 8.6, 9.x, 10.1.2 and above (Driver is required for Windows 2000, Mac 8.6/9.x)

Supported Memory Cards :

1. CF I
2. CF II
3. CF I WA
4. CF I ELITE PRO
5. CF PRO
6. CF PRO II
7. CF Ultra II
8. HS CF
9. CF Extreme
10. CF Extreme III
11. CF Extreme IV
12. IBM MD
13. Hitachi MD
14. MAGICSTOR
15. MS
16. MS MG
17. MS PRO
18. MS PRO EXTREME
19. MS PRO MG
20. MS DUO
21. MS DUO MG
22. MS PRO DUO
23. MS PRO DUO ULTRA
24. MS PRO DUO MG
25. MS PRO ULTRA II
26. MS ROM
27. MS MEMORY SELECT FUNCTION
28. MS DUO HS
29. MS PRO EXTREME III
30. MS PRO HS
31. MS PRO DUO MG HS
32. M2
33. XD
34. XD H Type
35. XD M TYPE
36. SD
37. SD PRO
38. SD ELITE PRO
39. SD ULTRA
40. SD ULTRA II
41. SD EXTREME
42. SD EXTEREME III
43. SD HS 150X
44. SDHC 2.0
45. MINI SD
46. T-Flash
47. Micro SD
48. MMC
49. MMC 4.0
50. HS MMC
51. RS MMC
52. RS MMC 4.0
53. HS RS A15MMC
54. MMC MOBILE
55. MMC PLUS 200X

Package Contents :

• Brando WorkShop 55 in 1 Card Reader
• USB Cable
• Quick Start Guide

Quality/Usability : I have a Sony MSAC-US20 Memory Stick Reader/Writer, SanDisk MobileMate SD+ and various USB cables that connects to my devices inorder for me to transfer data as well as adapters. Thats a lot of stuff on my computer table. With Brando's 55 in 1 Card Reader/Writer, it removes all those and puts them all into one!

Whats great about the 55 in 1 is that not only does it eliminate all those devices, adapters and cables but its works with any Windows and MAC operating systems. Not to mention, NO drivers needed (except for older OS)! The reader/writer is powered by your USB port with no additional power supply and uses USB2.0. It is also backwards compatible with USB1.0/1.1. When the reader is plugged in, I noticed that under MY COMPUTERS, there were three REMOVABLE DRIVES. When you insert a storage card, a green LED is lit up to let you know it is in use.

I tried various cards from a 4GB Hitachi MicroDrive, to a 256MB SD card, to a 1GB Memory Stick/Pro Duo cards and even the new smaller micro cards, microSD and Sony's M2. All work without any problems and all showed up perfectly and without any adapters! I no longer have to mess with cables or adapters in order to transfer data.

Normally, I connect my digital camera to my computer via USB cable. I tried my 4GB Hitachi MicroDrive with the card reader. The 55 in 1 had no problem reading it. Transferring pictures was just as easy and fast. It only took less than a minute to transfer my pictures to my computer. Mind you, these pictures were taken at 10.1MP and the files size are huge.

So I decided to try my 1GB that I use for my Nintendo Wii. Transferring VGA quality images were fast as well. It didnt take long before it was finished. Usually I would use the MobileMate SD+ adapter to transfer files. Transferring files to the Memory Stick and Pro Duo were the same. With the Pro Duo cards, I no longer had to use the adapter in order for me to transfer data. I just slipped it in and the reader had no problem recognizing the card.

My next test was my microSD and M2 that I used for my cellphones. The two newest memory cards to hit the market for the latest devices. I transferred not only pictures but also music. Transferring data was flawless and no adapter was needed at all unlike my other readers.

No matter what sized storage card I threw at the 55 in 1, it had no problem recognizing the card. You must say to yourself, there are other card readers out there that does the same. Yes, you're right BUT they are usually limited to how big in size it will read your card. My Toshiba laptop has a card reader built in. Reading small sized memory cards to 2GB memory cards were not a problem. But when I inserted my 4GB Pro Duo, it didnt read it at all.

Before getting the 55 in 1, I had contacted companies regarding the limitations of how big the storage card it will read and all said 1GB to 2GB at most. That would do me no good since I have 4GB storage cards.

Conclusion : Overall, the Brando 55 in 1 Card Reader/Writer is the best thing out there. Not only is it compatible with the latest operating systems without the need for drivers, it accepts 55 different cards. It eliminates the use of USB cables for your devices and adapters. This is the best investment there is if you use different storage cards for your devices. My only complaint is that to me, the USB cord that is included measures 24 inches (2 feet) and is a little short for me. To others, its probably more than enough. 3-4 feet USB cable would of probably been enough for any normal user. This permanently replaced all my card readers and USB cords.

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