For file sharing, the Transcend USB 3.0 card reader is a fast, compact and affordable memory card reader.
Transcend’s card reader (model RDF5R) delivers on its SuperSpeed USB 3.0 specifications. My tablet and cameras use SD cards. Often I need to transfer their data onto my PC. After inserting a memory card into the Transcend card reader, I insert it into my PC’s USB 3.0 port to transfer data to my PC. This card reader will read microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC, microSDXC UHS-I, SD, SDHC, SDHC UHS-I, SDXC and SDXC UHS-I memory cards.
Thumbnail images display instantly in Windows 10’s File Explorer instead of the usual delay of a few seconds. The reading is blazingly fast and the writing was swift as well. The Transcend USB 3.0 is faster than any USB 2.0 card reader I have ever used. Transcend states it can read up to 90 MB per second and write 60 MB per second under optimal conditions attached to a 128GB UHS-I card.
Transcend’s USB 3.0 Card Reader may not work on older Mac OS systems such as Tiger. This card reader does support Mac OS X 10.5 and Windows XP through Windows 10. It is simple to use and was recognized quickly by my Windows 10 laptop when plugged in. The RDF5R does not support simultaneous insertion of both a microSD and SD card.
Inside the Transcend USB 3.0 card reader, a dim LED light lights up when the card is inserted and during transfer activity. In daylight in a brightly lit room, this LED light is too dim to be seen. It can be seen in a dim room. This card reader is completely powered by USB and no external power source is utilized.
Black, pink, and white are the available exterior colors for this unit. The white unit may come with a blue LED. The plastic used is lightweight, inexpensive and fairly thin, but appears reasonably strong. The pink is the same shade as old school Bubble Yum bubble gum. The plastic is coated with a high gloss that does not show finger prints. A matching rectangular cap attaches securely to the RDF5R, unfortunately there is no attachment loop provided.
The Transcend USB 3.0 Card Reader is compact. It is 0.94 inches wide x 2.2 inches long and x 0.35 inches tall. But the width can be a problem, although this is not Transcend’s fault. If your laptop has multiple USB 3.0 ports located close together, separated by only few millimeters, the RDF5R is going to block access to adjoining USB 3.0 ports as it is 0.94 inches wide. One solution could be to pair a Transcend Information SuperSpeed USB 3.0 Hub (TS-HUB3K) with the Transcend 3.0 Card Reader. Another is to attach to the Transcend reader a slim USB 3.0 Type a Male to Female Extension Cable.
The Transcend USB 3.0 Card Reader is priced within an affordable $7 to $10 range at Amazon. If you have only used USB 2.0 memory card readers, you are in for a pleasant surprise with the RDF5R. You might even strike Usain Bolt’s signature “To Di World” celebratory pose when you see how fast this card reader works.