YMMV: 5-in-1 USB Flash Card Reader: $7.50+tax Target BM

[Banana]

(Edit: All clearance items in electronics are gone at my local Target.)

The Target in Fort Myers, FL, has 5-in-1 USB flash card readers marked on clearance for $15.00. When I checked out, it rang up at only $7.50! There were 10 or so left when I bought it earlier this week. Didn't notice the price until I looked at the receipt today!

This is an external USB1.1 reader/writer that does CF, SM, SD, MM, and micro drive. Brand is GE, model number is HO97941. Comes with USB cable, which by itself is worth a few bucks!

 

[DurocShark]

Woot! Thanks!

 

[SYL]

If you have an olympus camera that uses smartmedia, dont get this. There is an incompatibility that will corrupt the card so your olypus camera cant read it. You can fix the card by formatting it in another brand camera though.

 

[asleep]

Thanks SYL, for the tip about Olympus cards. It's sharing that kind of info that makes these forums great and saves people a lot of grief.

 

[Banana]

Originally posted by: SYL
If you have an olympus camera that uses smartmedia, dont get this. There is an incompatibility that will corrupt the card so your olypus camera cant read it. You can fix the card by formatting it in another brand camera though.

I've used this flash card reader with my Olympus without any problems, so what problem exactly are you referring to? Are you referring to a personal experience or a documented problem (link?)? LMK so I can return it to Target if necessary!

1YP

 

[bravo261]

sweet! thanks for the tip

 

[TheDon]

Originally posted by: SYL
If you have an olympus camera that uses smartmedia, dont get this. There is an incompatibility that will corrupt the card so your olypus camera cant read it. You can fix the card by formatting it in another brand camera though.

I can't see how reading a card will corrupt it. You should olny *format* any card in the camera you plan to use it in.

 

[rich120]

I bought an inexpensive unbranded (PQI???) USB 2.0 reader and experience exactly the same problem. Still waiting to hear back from the manufacturer about my complaint / help request.... Me thinks to spend more than $28 next time :frown:

 

[carmann]

I've heard of people having problems with their memory cards in general when they use card readers to delete items from the card. Now I don't mean everyone but that seems to be the the common factor when I've read things like this.

If I'm gonna delete something off the card I use the camera. Never the card reader.

 

[bravo261]

has anyone else been able to get this deal elsewhere?

 

[OctaneZ]

Already Sold out at the Target on Olentangy in Columbus

 

[unclebud]

"If I'm gonna delete something off the card I use the camera. Never the card reader."
i found out today it may not be a good idea to do using explorer either
yahahahaha*

 

[Bill00]

Originally posted by: TheDon...You should olny *format* any card in the camera you plan to use it in.

I don't argue the point since I know little of these things, but from the SimpleTech 256MB CF card I just received from Dell a couple of days ago:

"From time to time the format on flash cards can become fragmented. This is actually very common for storage media... The solution is to format the card in Windows using a PC card slot and adapter or a flash card reader. The format on the camera is usually not sufficient to correct this. Formatting the card is a normal part of maintenance and it is recommended that the cards be formatted every time photos are downloaded to your computer's hard drive."

FWIW.

 

[unclebud]

pictures aren't edit: UPloaded to the computer?

 

[tw1164]

does it read XD media by chance?

 

[Banana]

The packaging does not list XD, and I don't have it to try.

As for the compatibility problem, I've continued to play with the Olympus and the reader. Deleting, copying, moving, etc. Still haven't run into any problems. Perhaps it's a YMMV problem.

1YP

 

[bradolson]

I saw 3 or 4 of these at a local Target in Milwaukee on Monday for the same price. Had no use for them so I left them there.

Brad

 

[goodoptics]

Thanks!
Just picked up the last one at my local Target for $7.48 + tax.

 

[TheDon]

Originally posted by: Bill00

Originally posted by: TheDon...You should olny *format* any card in the camera you plan to use it in.

I don't argue the point since I know little of these things, but from the SimpleTech 256MB CF card I just received from Dell a couple of days ago:

"From time to time the format on flash cards can become fragmented. This is actually very common for storage media... The solution is to format the card in Windows using a PC card slot and adapter or a flash card reader. The format on the camera is usually not sufficient to correct this. Formatting the card is a normal part of maintenance and it is recommended that the cards be formatted every time photos are downloaded to your computer's hard drive."

FWIW.

Well, I've been shooting digital since the 90's and I've never had a problem with a fragmented card. Just a word of caution if you decided to format using Windows-be sure to select FAT16, not FAT32 since the camera probably won't like FAT32. After that, still perform an in-camera format.

 

[RossMAN]

What brand/model is this, what does the box look like and where is it usually located?

 

[unclebud]

memory's kind of hazy (they cleared out of here @ 30%), but i remember it being a blister-pack, with a blended gradient yellow/red backing
me want to stop now lest i be accused of babbling or something
hth

 

[superblast]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
What brand/model is this, what does the box look like and where is it usually located?

I picked one of these up at Target last week as well. It's a GE 5-in-1 Card Reader/Writer #H097941. There were a bunch along with other clearance stuff on an endcap in the electronics section. Lots of interesting cables and a adapters too.

 

[unclebud]

here
nani?

 

[Banana]

Originally posted by: unclebud
here

That's it, but will there be any left?

 

[quincy2002]

Plenty here in Green Bay, but they ring up at $15 :frown: