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Okay, maybe not read ‘em all since this doesn’t read all flash memory formats (there’s like several hundred formats out there) but it will read some of the current popular formats you’ll likely find in mobile devices today.

With all the different mobile devices we carry with us, doesn’t it get annoying to have to deal with all the different formats of flash memory cards that we have to bring with us? There’s the SD card for our Palm devices and Treo smartphones, miniSD for other smartphones and the newer Treo smartphones, Memory Stick for Sony devices and cameras, xD cards for other brands of digital cameras, microSD for some smartphones and cellular phones and so on. To add to this burden, we need different card readers for EACH of them if we wish to access the data and files stored in those cards. Needless to say, we’ll need to pack along a big bag to hold them all. Of course, we can try to limit the various formats we have simply by making a conscious effort to stick with specific flash memory card formats that we have rather than get devices that require a different flash format. And, unfortunately, most of these flash memory formats are not compatible with each other (exceptions include SD and MMC and other formats that are similar).

Thankfully, there’s USB Fever’s Pocketable Multi-Card Reader. And, as the name says, it’s a multi-card reader that will read many different formats of flash memory cards including: Micro MS (M2), T-Flash, Micro SD, SD / SDHC / MMC / RSMMC / MS / MS Duo / MS Pro Duo / xD. One reader for all those formats. Whew!

For those who want to skip over all the detailed review and just want a summary, you can jump to the review summary

The Pocketable Multi Card Reader is of a relatively decent size. I was expecting something smaller based on the picture but then, when considering that it’s meant to read so many different formats of flash memory cards, I had to get a reality check and felt silly regarding my unreasonable expectations.

In comparison to my old Lexar JumpDrive Trio card reader/thumbdrive, it’s actually a bit smaller. And of course, this Pocketable Multi-Card Reader reads a lot more different format cards than the Lexar Trio, which could only read SD cards. And, it’s a heck of a lot lighter than my Lexar Trio, but then, card readers don’t actually weigh a lot either but I definitely noticed it when holding the Pocketable Multi-Card Reader.

The Pocketable Multi-Card Reader is shaped very similarly to the Lexar Trio with a USB connector at one end, and slots on the sides to allow for the insertion of various flash memory cards. On one side, it accepts MicroSD/MMC and xD. On the other side, it accepts SD, mini M2, MS. There’s a light indicator at the other end (opposite from the USB connector). As well, there’s a loop to allow the stringing of a wrist or neck strap for portability and attachment to keys or other objects. And, finally, there’s also a thin clip on the back side to enable you to clip it onto a belt or shirt pocket.

When plugged into the USB port or hub, the Pocketable Multi-Card reader will show up as a Generic Multi-Card USB Device as shown below, regardless of the type of flash memory card inserted into the reader. Again, keep in mind that although this is a multi-card reader, it is not capable of reading multiple cards simultaneously (ie. SD and microSD or more than one card at a time) since only one virtual temporary drive shows up as being connected.

More details (taken from USB Fever’s website):

Features:

-Pocketable Multi Card Reader x 1

Click on the thumbnail images for a bigger picture

Product Video

Video at YouTube

Here are my observations:

This is a good solution to those who own a variety of flash memory cards and wish to not have to bring a handful of different card readers for each flash memory format. This one multi-card reader will read a good variety of memory formats (Micro MS (M2), T-Flash, Micro SD, SD / SDHC / MMC / RSMMC / MS / MS Duo / MS Pro Duo / XD). It obviously does not cover all the available formats but at least many of the popular formats in use today. I am a bit surprised that Compact Flash (yes, I know it isn’t as popular nowadays) is not one of the formats that was supported on this card reader.

However, I am finding that it can be a bit difficult to determine how the memory cards are expected to be inserted, regardless of the drawing around the slots. The included instruction sheet was not helpful as the diagram in it does not reflect or resemble what the actual product looked like (ie. the slots were not where it was indicated in the diagram). Maybe the product has changed since the original information sheet was printed but obviously, it wasn’t very helpful. It’s more of a trial and error but obviously, you will figure it out simply by checking whether the card contents show up in Windows when you plug it in. Or, you can create special stickers or other ways to help yourself remember how to insert the cards correctly. On my Lexar JumpDrive Trio (not sure if anyone noticed in my video review), I actually made a very bad drawing of the shape of the SD card so that I know how to insert the card correctly. I guess you can do something similar as well, provided you don’t mind ruining the looks of the card reader. Or creating stickers or any other creative ways to help you remember how to insert the card in the slots. Well, these are some suggestions. Maybe you may come up much better ones on your own.

Also, originally when I first inserted the Multi-Card reader, I noticed that the light indicator was flashing a variety of colors: blue, green and red constantly and I didn’t understand why. Since then, subsequent insertions of the Multi-Card reader does not make the light turn on at all, although it works perfectly fine. I guess the flashing multi-colored lights was a sign that something was happening. As I mentioned before, it’s not a big deal to have lights or not as long as it works, well, at least to me. I am quite sure that this was likely an “isolated” case and I doubt that the rest of the batch will be the same as my unique experience.

One last note is that compared to many other card reader designs where the protective cap has a way of “staying with” the card reader, either via a strap or being able to cap it at the other end, similar to that of highlighters or other pens, this card reader does not have such a design. So, it’s quite easy and possible to misplace or lose the protective cap. But then, even without the cap, the drive will unlikely be easily damaged but it’s still nice to be able to put the cap back on if possible.

Review Summary

USB Fever’s Pocketable Multi-Card Reader offers a great solution to that problem of having to carry too many different card readers just to access them on a computer. Instead, simply carry one card reader and it will read a variety of different formats of flash memory cards. Problem solved! And it is small enough that it can fit in your hand and very lightweight and portable that it will easily fit in any pocket. With a loop hole near one end of the reader, you can easily string either a neck or wrist strap to it for enhanced portability. Unfortunately, this multi-card reader doesn’t support Compact Flash, which is no longer as popular of a flash memory format as it once was, but for those who still use devices that use this format, you may have to look elsewhere. As well, I did find that it wasn’t very easy to figure out how to correctly insert the cards into their slots as the diagrams or drawing near the slots are not as clear as I would have expected. But, regardless it does work. I only wished that there were better documentation with regards to the correct insertion of the cards into their slots. Other than that, this card reader is great.

Check out USB Fever’s Pocketable Multi-Card Reader here

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