Verified: SDHC and SanDisk Extreme® 2.0 USB Reader

[WINGnutsDAD]

I've seen a bunch of threads regarding compatibility with SDHC cards. So for those who wonder . . .

These versions I have seem to work just fine anyway. My "SanDisk Extreme® 2.0 USB Reader" (SDDRX3-3in1-901) reads my 4 GB Sandisk SDHC Extreme III cards (SDSDRX3-4096-901) flawlessly.

I know there is no mention of SDHC compatibility on the Sandisk web site regarding these products however mine works fine.

--
JLC
MyWorld Studios - Madison,MS

 

[tom graham]

Agree. I have same model SanDisk Extreme, reads/writes fine with 4GB SanDisk SDHC Ultra II.

Now, if you please, for my PD70X and Archos 320, what is a good SDHC card to CF card adapter?

regards - tom

 

[Hyun Yu]

I've got a PD70X as well. After a lot of searching, I ended up buying a Datafab 17-in-1 to CF adapter on eBay. It hasn't arrived yet, but I'll post a follow-up when I get it.

 

[technicsplayer.]

I already have the datafab 17 in 1... as long as you buy the one marked as SDHC it works fine with all archos's with CF slot (MMJB, AV300, Gmini400) I've tried as well as all the other CF hardware. The previous model looks identical but was just SD compatible.

 

[Bagpiping DK]

I've seen a bunch of threads regarding compatibility with SDHC cards.
So for those who wonder . . .

These versions I have seem to work just fine anyway. My "SanDisk
Extreme® 2.0 USB Reader" (SDDRX3-3in1-901) reads my 4 GB Sandisk SDHC
Extreme III cards (SDSDRX3-4096-901) flawlessly.

I know there is no mention of SDHC compatibility on the Sandisk web
site regarding these products however mine works fine.

--
JLC
MyWorld Studios - Madison,MS

WINGnutsDAD - you say it works fine...but does it work at the speeds that the SDHC are supposed to perform at? Reason why I am asking is tech devices with newer technology sometimes only perform as fast as the "weakest part" - in this case possibly the reader. Companies always end up saying things are compliant and such but don't perform as well as devices that were made for new technology.

I'm trying not to complicate things here....I don't really like the way Sandisk doesn't put down the compliant/performance info for the Extreme 2.0 USB reader. I'm getting ready to get some SD cards and right now the 4GB is really cheap compared to getting 2 GB...due to the rebate offer. It would cost me $40 for (2) 2 GB Extreme IIIs (after rebate) vs. $20 for a 4 GB SDHC Extreme III (after rebate)....I will literally spend 1/2 the amt in getting the SDHC....but if it doesn't perform as well with the card reader...then there is no pont in spending the extra $$.

Ideas...comments...enlightenment? Thanks

 

[WINGnutsDAD]

I didn't really check/compare speeds. Also I just ordered a couple of the Sandisk SDHC Extreme 8 GB cards, I'll try them as well. When I get home tonight I will try and check speeds however it may be tomorrow before I get a chance.

--
JLC
MyWorld Studios - Madison,MS

 

[BG454]

I'm trying not to complicate things here....I don't really like the
way Sandisk doesn't put down the compliant/performance info for the
Extreme 2.0 USB reader.

I don't quite understand what you mean by that.

Sandisk spec says: "Its performance - 20MB/sec* (+ - buffer) sequential read and write, is above the level needed for the high enthusiast photographer." Under 'Advanced Features' it says "Read and write performance of 20MB/sec with ESP Technology."
That seems to define its performance, or am I missing something here?

I have not carried out any benchmark tests, but I can say mine flies with Ultra II and Extreme III CF and SD cards, although I've yet to try SDHC with it. As far as I'm concerned the time taken to transfer a 2gB cardfull of images is not very important, whether it's transferred at 20MB/sec or 10MB/sec. I can always do something else while I'm downloading. I have an SDHC 4gB card on its way, so I can do some comparative tests at a later date.

--

'I don't take snaps - I paint with light' - Tony Hancock

 

[Bagpiping DK]

I'm trying not to complicate things here....I don't really like the
way Sandisk doesn't put down the compliant/performance info for the
Extreme 2.0 USB reader.

I don't quite understand what you mean by that.
Sandisk spec says: "Its performance - 20MB/sec* (+ - buffer)
sequential read and write, is above the level needed for the high
enthusiast photographer." Under 'Advanced Features' it says "Read and
write performance of 20MB/sec with ESP Technology."
That seems to define its performance, or am I missing something here?
I have not carried out any benchmark tests, but I can say mine flies
with Ultra II and Extreme III CF and SD cards, although I've yet to
try SDHC with it. As far as I'm concerned the time taken to transfer
a 2gB cardfull of images is not very important, whether it's
transferred at 20MB/sec or 10MB/sec. I can always do something else
while I'm downloading. I have an SDHC 4gB card on its way, so I can
do some comparative tests at a later date.

--

'I don't take snaps - I paint with light' - Tony Hancock

I follow you on that Tony....it's more of "paying for what is advertised" vs "paying for actual results" type of thing. The SDHC cost more because of it's performance and such...but if the only reader that really allows its performance to "shine" is the MicroMate...then it's better just to get those together instead of using a reader that was created for the Extreme III SD or Ultra SD series.

In another comparison....memory for a computer. You can buy better memory that will work on your motherboard....but if your memory was built for faster speeds and your motherboard only goes up to say 75% of that....then the memory is really only working at 75% efficiency. Does that make is more clear?

All I am saying wondering is the performance comparison between the MicroMate (which is for SDHC only) and the Extreme III USB 2.0 reader with a SDHC card in it.

For me...my D40 can only take a max of 4 GB - as per the Nikon specs and says it SDHC compliant. So I am limited to getting 4 GB cards....and if the SDHC aren't that much better unless I get the MicroMate reader...then there is no point in me to invest in the SDHC format.

 

[BG454]

OK Bagpiping DK, I understand what you're saying.

I think the deal I picked up on the Sandisk SDHC card includes the Micromate reader, so when it arrives I can do some comparisons between that and the Extreme USB2 reader. I will certainly do some comparisons between CF, SD and SDHC in the USB2 reader.
--

'I don't take snaps - I paint with light' - Tony Hancock

 

[Bagpiping DK]

Thanks.

I'm probably making a bigger deal out of nothing...but in the tech world you pay for speed...etc and if you're paying for something that your not getting...then it's not worth the extra $.

I did get a response from SanDisk though on it. They said

"The Extreme reader should be able to allow the SDHC card faster response times as it is a professional speed reader. "

I take that as it doesn't mean that it's running it's full potential but faster than the Extreme III cards probably.

 

[Kevin_M]

SDHC is actually a little slower than a comparable SD card. I.E. if you compare the 2GB Extreme III SD card vs. the 4GB Extreme III SDHC card, the SDHC card is a little slower. Not much, but a little.

With SDHC, you're not paying for extra performance, just extra storage.

 

[The Panda]

I'm getting ready to get some SD cards and
right now the 4GB is really cheap compared to getting 2 GB...due to
the rebate offer. It would cost me $40 for (2) 2 GB Extreme IIIs
(after rebate) vs. $20 for a 4 GB SDHC Extreme III (after
rebate)....I will literally spend 1/2 the amt in getting the
SDHC....but if it doesn't perform as well with the card reader...then
there is no pont in spending the extra $$.

Ideas...comments...enlightenment? Thanks

Huh what rebate? If I can get a 4gb sdhc Extreme 3 for 20 bucks I will buy one right now!

--
-Chris Pandoliano
http://www.pandaism.com

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thepanda/

 

[BG454]

My Sandisk 4GB SDHC and MicroMate reader turned up and I've run some tests.

I'm using "CardTest" ( http://sourceforge.net/projects/cardtest ) and "HD Tach" ( http://www.simplisoftware.com/Public/index.php?request=HdTach ) but the results are so similar I'm actually quoting the figures from CardTest.

This is the first time I've tried anything like this, so I'll freely admit that the tests may be flawed, but I've endeavoured to keep everything the same as far as possible, so the results are comparable. I'm only quoting read speeds here, since I guess that's what people are interested in, and the write times are more dependent on the camera.





A couple of observations.

First this confirms confirms that SDHC cards are the same speed as regular SD cards of the same type (Ultra II), not slightly slower as Kevin_M suggests. Second, the Sandisk MicroMate reader is just as fast as the Extreme USB2 reader, for the same type of card. I also use CF cards, so I still need the Extreme USB2 for those.

I can show some figures for CF cards in the Extreme reader if anyone is interested.
All comments welcome.

--

'I don't take snaps - I paint with light' - Tony Hancock

 

[Kevin_M]

MisterBG wrote:
A couple of observations.

First this confirms confirms that SDHC cards are the same speed as
regular SD cards of the same type (Ultra II), not slightly slower as
Kevin_M suggests. Second, the Sandisk MicroMate reader is just as
fast as the Extreme USB2 reader, for the same type of card. I also
use CF cards, so I still need the Extreme USB2 for those.
I can show some figures for CF cards in the Extreme reader if anyone
is interested.
All comments welcome.

This confirms nothing. SDHC cards are slightly slower as I said, I've tested this as have those that use more rigorous testing methodologies. The fact that most of your numbers are the exact same to two decimal places for both cards should indicate the testing software you used is not exactly all that precise.

Take a look at this link, which I would consider the most accurate and up to date site about card speeds, and you can see that SDHC cards lag slightly behind SD cards right now, particularly in write speeds.

http://www.hjreggel.net/cardspeed/speed-by-cards-sdc.html

 

[Bagpiping DK]

Settle down now

What it boils down to is really that the SDHC and the Extreme III are pretty darn close in speed....slightly slower...slightly faster....but very very close and that is all I was looking for.

I went ahead and bought 3 Sandisk Extreme III 2 GB cards yesterday from Adorama....selling at a cheap $26.45/each or $79.35 for all three of them...but with the prepaid Visa card ($50) it's really going to cost me only $29.35 total or $9.78/each. While it's not an instant rebate or a rebate check...it's the same because you use the Visa card like cash...it's just that it's not instant or anything.

http://www.adorama.com/IDSSD2GE3.html Extreme III 2GB - $26.45

http://www.adorama.com/IDSSD4GE3.html SDHC 4 GB - $49.95 retail

With that said...the 4GB cards would be a steal if you bought 3 of them...they would cost $150 upfront...but you would get a Visa card for $110....making them cost only $13.33 for each 4GB SDHC card. But I prefer to have a couple 2 GB cards. With a 6pm camera....having two 4 GB cards would be overkill for what I'll be using it for. I'd have to be a full-time photographer to really use up the space.

 

[WINGnutsDAD]

Thanks for the testing.

--
JLC
MyWorld Studios - Madison,MS

 

[BG454]

This confirms nothing.

Thank you, it's nice to know I've wasted about three hours compiling the tests.

SDHC cards are slightly slower as I said, I've
tested this as have those that use more rigorous testing
methodologies.

Perhaps you could post the results of your tests for the benefit of us all.

The fact that most of your numbers are the exact same
to two decimal places for both cards should indicate the testing
software you used is not exactly all that precise.

I am not a testing lab, just an average photogapher. I simply found some readily available software that looked like it would test the parameters I was interested in. The fact the results are so similar is more likely because I'm testing the same cards, and probably that Sandisk use similar firmware in both their readers.

All we're doing here is moving 1's and 0's down a bit of wire and on and off a piece of silicon. Hardly an advanced task in computing terms and, I would have thought, not requiring a sophisticated program to test, which is reflected in the fact the software for testing these functions is only a few tens of Kb in size.

Take a look at this link, which I would consider the most accurate
and up to date site about card speeds, and you can see that SDHC
cards lag slightly behind SD cards right now, particularly in write
speeds.

http://www.hjreggel.net/cardspeed/speed-by-cards-sdc.html

As I said before, write speeds are irrelevant here since they are controlled by the camera. I use my card reader for downloading, not writing, and I'm sure that applies to most other people too.

That website looks more like a test of card readers than cards themselves. There seems to be a notable lack of the most popular types and brands of cards like Lexar, Sandisk and Kingston. They don't even have the Extreme USB2 reader listed, so there's no basis for comparison - apples and oranges? The nearest I can find to the SDHC Ultra II is a Sandisk Micro SHDC class 4 card in a Sandisk "MobileMate" reader, which shows an average read speed of 18.53, which is way above what I'm seeing, and still disagrees with your contention that SHDC are slower.

I have checked my results using a program called "HD Tach" and they give similar figures to the "CardTest" software:
Sandisk Extreme USB2 reader.
Extreme III SD 2GB: 18.1mB/sec
Ultra II SD 1GB: 10.2
SDHC Ultra II 4GB: 10.2

Sandisk MicroMate Reader:
Extreme III SD 2GB: 19.2mB/sec
Ultra II 1GB: 10.4
SDHC Ultra II 4GB: 10.4

Personally, I don't give a hoot how fast a card works. All I want is a reasonably priced, reasonably fast, reliable card. I have standardised on Sandisk cards, since they fit my requirements.

I didn't realize EXTREME was twice as fast!

Check the Sandisk website http://www.sandisk.com/:
Extreme III SD and SDHC Card: "Minimum 20MB/ sec sequential read/write speeds"
Ultra II "Minimum of 10MB/second sequential read speed "
SDHC Ultra II "Write/Read performance: 9MB/sec, 10MB/sec "
Even Sandisk claim that SDHC speed is the same as regular SD.

The OP in this thread, WINGnutsDAD, wrote that he had successfully used SHDC cards in the Extreme USB2 reader, even though the reader was not specifically SHDC compatible. I have confirmed this to be the case, and also that there is no speed penalty over using the Extreme USB2 compared to an SDHC rated reader.
--

'I don't take snaps - I paint with light' - Tony Hancock

 

[Kevin_M]

As I said before, write speeds are irrelevant here since they are
controlled by the camera. I use my card reader for downloading, not
writing, and I'm sure that applies to most other people too.

Write speeds are not irrelevant at all just because the camera is controlling the writing aspect. Every camera has different electronics for writing to the memory card, some faster than others. You still want a fast card though. Try using a one of the slower cards to shoot burst mode, and you find that it now becomes the bottleneck and it can't keep up with the camera. Not a surprise considering just about every camera in existence with a burst mode says to use a fast memory card in the manual. And since most of care about camera performance, write speed is generally more important than read speed, so it's extremely important.

That website looks more like a test of card readers than cards
themselves. There seems to be a notable lack of the most popular
types and brands of cards like Lexar, Sandisk and Kingston. They
don't even have the Extreme USB2 reader listed, so there's no basis
for comparison - apples and oranges? The nearest I can find to the
SDHC Ultra II is a Sandisk Micro SHDC class 4 card in a Sandisk
"MobileMate" reader, which shows an average read speed of 18.53,
which is way above what I'm seeing, and still disagrees with your
contention that SHDC are slower.

Did you click the "Open in frames mode" button at the top? The link may have opened in single frame mode and you only saw the page itself. Once you're in frames mode a menu will come up on the left where you can select more cards or readers to get more testing results, including the other cards you mentioned.