6-in-1 Flash Media Reader for as low as $31 after rebate (updated)

[catrats]

Ok, here's the deal. This flash media reader from ACOMdATA can read six of the most common flash media formats being used today:

- CompactFlash
- MicroDrive
- Secure Digital (SD)
- MultiMedia Card (MMC)
- SmartMedia
- Memory Stick

You can even read a review on it if you're interested.

Anyway, CompUSA, Best Buy (thanks reicherb), and J&R Electronics (thanks jbloggs) are selling this reader for $60. Add a $15 manufacturer's mail-in rebate and you have a pretty sweet flash reader for a nice price. This is really only a deal for those who need to read all six flash media formats which includes Sony's proprietary "Memory Stick". Otherwise, as mentioned in this thread, the Mr. Flash 5-in-1 Flash Media Reader at NewEgg is the better deal.

UPDATE: If you pick up the ACOMdATA reader, don't forget to get the updated drivers. (thanks therealrokjok)

Note: The mail-in rebate offer ends next Monday, December 31 so, obviously, that's when this deal expires as well.

UPDATE: Dazzle Multimedia offers a similar product that's now being sold at J&R Electronics for the same price and there's a manufacturer's mail-in rebate as well. However, this mail-in rebate is for $20 and doesn't expire until February 28, 2002. This one looks to be the better deal at $40 after rebate. Thanks goes to jbloggs for the updated info.

PRICE UPDATE: If you're not too concerned about purchasing from a nationwide retailer, you can find some better deals elsewhere. You can find the ACOMdATA reader at eGeneralMedical.com for $51 before rebate. The Dazzle reader can also be had for $51 (before rebate) from DealCat.com. Thanks goes to kottonkandie for this price update.

 

[Ribbet]

catrats...

Nice, versatile device. Specs say it's both USB1.1 and USB2.0 compliant -- PIX should fly off this critter when we finally get USB2.x ports.

A question???

The System Requirements **include** an available PCI card slot. Why is a PCI slot required? Is this critter **not** a USB-pluggable device? The specs also say it's "bus powered, therefore no AC adapter is required." Could a PCI card/slot be required to supply power? (If so, I'd rather have a device that plugs it into an outlet -- got tons of those.)

 

[redmango]

Better deal:

$30 shipped - No MIR, no PM no hassle

Link


5 in 1 USB Reader - Travel Flash Features: 5 Types of Flash Cards Supported: Compact Flash Card (Type I & II), Smart Media, MMC, Secure Digital Card and Microdrive-Hot-Swapped, Compliant with USB1.1version Small enough to fit in your pocket! Works with PC/MAC Fedex Saver Shipping $5.00


I have this running under XP its been great transfering MP3s to SM and photos from CF

they also have one with 16MB internal memory for $10 more.

R

 

[reicherb]

Is USB2.0 worth the extra cash?

 

[Justincase]

Thanks. I wasn't aware of this rebate when I saw that one of the BIG retailers had this device listed for $49.99 this week...I'll see if I can dig up that info...that would make this great Acomdata device $35 after rebate.

 

[catrats]

<< catrats...
The System Requirements **include** an available PCI card slot. Why is a PCI slot required? Is this critter **not** a USB-pluggable device? The specs also say it's "bus powered, therefore no AC adapter is required." Could a PCI card/slot be required to supply power? (If so, I'd rather have a device that plugs it into an outlet -- got tons of those.) >>

Ribbet, I'm not sure why a PCI slot is listed as a requirement. According to the review, there was no mention of a PCI card installed or needed for operation. My guess (and this is totally speculative) is that whoever authored that web page just did a "cut and paste" job for the "System Requirements" section from one of the other product pages.


<< Better deal:

$30 shipped - No MIR, no PM no hassle

Link >>

redmango, I appreciate the post. However, I was very much aware of this deal from NewEgg already. I guess the ACOMdATA flash reader would be targeted for those who also require a reader for Memory Stick. Otherwise, you're right, the Mr. Flash reader from NewEgg is the better deal.




<< Is USB2.0 worth the extra cash? >>

reicherb, with an increase of maximum bandwidth from 12Mbps to 480Mbps, I'd say it's worth it. However, that will depend on the cost as well.



<< Thanks. I wasn't aware of this rebate when I saw that one of the BIG retailers had this device listed for around $45 this week...I'll see if I can dig up that info...that would make this great device around $30 after rebate. >>

Justincase, any way to make this deal better is always appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Justincase]

Found it. It was J&R for $49.99 - phone orders only...just called, and they are out of stock with no ETA.

 

[reicherb]

They also have it at bestbuy for $60.

 

[catrats]

<< They also have it at bestbuy for $60. >>

Thanks, reicherb, it's been edited.

 

[Ribbet]

reicherb...

Is USB2.0 worth the extra cash?

Absolutely (based on pre-production hype). The extra speed (480 versus 12 Mbps) will be astounding (although I find our 2 current USB 1.x readers very fast).

But that also begs the question: Why didn't we standardized on Firewire (IEEE 1394) long ago. The long-languishing Firewire offered 400 Mbps outta the box. (Thanks, Apple, for keeping Firewire "proprietary" for so long.)

 

[SteveNYC]

One thing though....

It says that it is USB 1.1 and 2.0 "compliant". That does not necessarily mean that it operates at the 480 Mbps speed of USB 2.0.

I'll bet that this is simply an advertising gimmick. All USB 1.1 devices work under USB 2.0.

Heck, I'm not even sure that CF/SM/SD/MMC/MS cards can even saturate the bandwidth of USB 1.1. Perhaps, but I don't think so.

Anyway, all-in-all a nice device otherwise. I personally have the Mr. Flash 5-in-1 Media Reader from Newegg mentioned previously in this thread and think it's fantastic. But you can't beat the fact that ACOMdATA does all that AND memory stick. Not bad at all.

 

[RossMAN]

Great deal I'm gonna have to pick one of these up, it's nice that it won't wear down my Fuji Finepix 1400's batteries, reads SM/CF/Sony - I'm sold!

 

[Lore]

Definitely a great deal for such a versatile product. I have a Microtech International SM and CF reader I got two summers ago, and even that was a good deal at $45 back then. =)

I'm also with Steve on the compliancy issue - it probably cannot take advantage of the full bandwidth of a USB 2.0 bus, so that's probably just marketing hype.

 

[RossMAN]

Just came back from Best Buy B&M after pricematching Evolution DVD $16.99 against CC.

They didn't have this there, so I guess it's only a BB B&M.

In order to avoid BB.com's S&H which is a whopping $3.99 I think I'll check out CompUSA B&M.

 

[Devistater]

Regarding the PCI slot thing... its probably intended for people who DONT have USB ports, so they need a PCI slot for a USB card. Plus if you want USB 2 you are probably going to need a PCI card for that.

 

[VisionsUCI]

i need a good reader for mmc and memory stick... so, looks like i found one. thanks!

 

[jbloggs]

Its also available at J&R for $60. J&R - ACOMDATA

OR you can get the 6 in 1 reader by Dazzle for $60 - $20 MIR = $40.
J&R - Dazzle Reader

 

[RossMAN]

Which is better the Acomdata or Dazzle 6-in-1 media reader and why?

My main uses for this 6-in-1 are SmartMedia, CompactFlash and occasionally Sony Memory Stick media. So the others aren't as important but might come in useful someday. Since I rarely use my digital camera, USB 2.0 compatibility is not a huge issue for me.

 

[Justincase]

The Acomdata says "reader and writer" while the Dazzle just states "reader" [I know nothing about these things, so I do not know if all readers are capable of writing].

Just called J&R for the Dazzle, and asked them to knock a few bucks off to match the price of the out-of-stock Acomdata...they wouldn't budge on the $59.99 price. I passed.

 

[RossMAN]

<< The Acomdata says "reader and writer" while the Dazzle just states "reader" [I know nothing about these things, so I do not know if all readers are capable of writing]. >>



I can't find any reason I would ever want to "write" to media using the reader but you never know. I would only "write" to the media with a digicam (taking pictures) or using a PDA (such as a Compaq iPaq).

That steves-digicams.com review that catrats posted was pretty helpful, I like how it's powered through the USB port (eliminating yet ANOTHER plug outlet), is compatible with most Windows (not sure about XP), even the Mac OS.

Plus if my local CompUSA B&M has this in stock I don't have to wait or pay for shipping from a .com

If CompUSA doesn't have this in stock I'll probably do some more research, if I'm really convinced that I want this, I'll probably just order it from Newegg.com

 

[catrats]

<< Its also available at J&R for $60. J&R - ACOMDATA

OR you can get the 6 in 1 reader by Dazzle for $60 - $20 MIR = $40.
J&R - Dazzle Reader >>

Thanks jbloggs. Justincase mentioned there might be a phone deal with this but I didn't know they were offering it on their web site. I've edited the original message with the updated information.



<< The Acomdata says "reader and writer" while the Dazzle just states "reader" >>

Justincase, I can understand your confusion. Even the product page doesn't mention whether this fact. The closest they come to claiming the ability to write is in the fourth bullet -- "Transfer more data in less time - faster upload/downloads".

Regardless, the question is still which one to get -- the Dazzle, with the lower price and a manufacturer people are more familiar with (at least in the digital video world) or the ACOMdATA, a manufacturer which looks to have more experience in storage technologies.

One thing I'd like to know is how small these readers are. If one is "more portable" than the other, that factor might be a deal breaker for others.

 

[RossMAN]

Is anyone able to find reviews for the Dazzle?

So far I'm sold on the Acomdata but Dazzle might be better, do we know how the drivers are for the dazzle and does it gets it's power from USB or through a plug?

 

[Justincase]

>>>I can't find any reason I would ever want to "write" to media using the reader but you never know.<<<

Really? I can...

1) Transferring large Photoshop files from 1 location to another (can't do that with a floppy, and I don't have or want a Zip drive).

2) Transferring a lot of small files...carrying a tiny, flat 256MB SM card is a lot easier than lugging around a dozen or more floppies.

 

[catrats]

I forgot to mention that the Dazzle specifically states on its product page compatibility with Windows XP.

This press release mentions that the Dazzle was released in November so the ACOMdATA has a 6-month lead if its review is any indicator of availability. However, my guess is that the Dazzle will become more available in the next few months since it states it will be available in most of the big computer and electronics retailers across the nation.

 

[catrats]

<< Is anyone able to find reviews for the Dazzle?

So far I'm sold on the Acomdata but Dazzle might be better, do we know how the drivers are for the dazzle and does it gets it's power from USB or through a plug? >>

RossMAN, since it became available in November, it might take another month or so before we see a review of it. As far as power is concerned, like the ACOMdATA, it can be powered through the USB port.