Photography Workflow: Lexar Multi-Card 25-in-1 USB 3.0 Memory Card Reader

I recently received this handy-dandy Lexar Multi-Card 25-in-1 USB 3.0 Memory Card Reader just before a 2-week vacation.  Up until this point my download process entailed hooking up my Canon 5D Mark iii directly to my laptop with a USB cable.   For a while I used to download to iPhoto but last year I changed my workflow to Adobe LightRoom.  Changing the download to Lightroom cut my workflow time enormously.  Could a card reader do the same?  Yes!

I have used other card readers in the past.  I stopped using them because I would encounter some sort of hardware issue including a horrible experience where one card reader ruined my CF card with tons of images that had not been downloaded.  NIGHTMARE!  Fortunately I figured a way to recover those images.  But that experience left me wary of including a card reader as part of my workflow.

But that all changed with the Lexar Multi-Card Reader.


A Look at the Lexar Multi-Card 25-in-1 USB 3.0 Memory Card Reader

I love the look of this sleek piece of hardware.  The white-smooth finish is very compact and shuts close when not in use.

To expose the card reader slots just squeeze the two sides of the reader to pop it up.  Once opened you have access to 6 slots (see specs below that list all of the compatible cards it reads).

A photo of of all of the slots lists the type of cards it reads.

Immediately I noticed that the download is noticeably faster than direct camera to laptop transfer.  This ultimately saves time in my overall workflow.

So what are the main benefits of this card?  More than you probably thought:

• Ability to read multiple cards at the same time (concurrent reads)
• Card-to-Card transfer
• Super fast data transfer rate of up to 500 MB/s (that's compared to the built-in USB 2.0 port, btw, Canon, when are you going to move to USB 3.0 like Nikon?)
• Easy to transfer
• Saves wear-and-tear of USB port connection on camera
• Does not expend more battery life of the Canon camera when performing image transfer

Besides all of my vacation photos I am now fully integrating the Lexar Multi-Card 25-in-1 USB 3.0 Memory Card Reader into my business workflow.  It's super fast, efficient and ultimately eliminates some of the wear-and-tear that I would have had on my Canon by downloading direct from the built-in USB 2.0 port.

For only $25.95 it's a bargain that saves time and camera wear-and-tear.

Specs-at-a-glance (From the B&H Website):

Compatible Memory Cards	CompactFlash Type I and Type II, SD / SDHC / SDXC, miniSD / miniSDHC, MMC, MMCplus, RS-MMC, microSD / microSDHC, Memory Stick, Memory Stick with MagicGate, Memory Stick PRO, Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick Duo with MagicGate, Memory Stick PRO Duo Mark 2, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX, Memory Stick Micro (M2), xD-Picture Card, xD-Picture Card Type-M, xD-Picture Card Type-M+, and xD-Picture Card Type-H
Computer Interface	USB 3.0
Data Transfer Rate	Up to 500 MB/s
Remote Control	N/A
System & Software Requirements	Computer with available USB port
Storage Temperature	32 to 122° F (0 to 50° C)
Humidity	Up to 90%
Dimensions (LxWxH)	3.9 x 2.5 x 1.0" (9.9 x 6.4 x 2.5 cm)
Weight	0.15 lb (0.07 kg)

Discloser: I received the card reader but all opinions expressed in the review are 100% my own.  I was not compensated for this review.