52 in 1 Card Readers
How did we get into this situation? 52 formats for memory cards! Granted some of the cards are the same format just a higher speed version, but why can’t gadget manufacturers settle on at most 3 media cards.
Well with 52 formats you should be covered for whatever formats you encounter or gadgets you buy during a trip.
It’s not as if they vary tremendously in volume and memory storage sizes. OK the CF cards are a little larger but SD and MMC are pretty damn close in size, both physically and storage wise.
This MSI 52 in 1 “StarReader” card reader is the most portable unit I’ve seen so far.
Want to go even more insane?! How about a 52 in 1 with Bluetooth, huh? How about that?
This Hong Kong company has one for you. The “Dtech" memory card reader with Bluetooth with “multi moody colours indicate power ON” and a reasonable $25. This unit is larger than the MSI so I normally wouldn’t recommend a larger unit but if you are travelling and don’t already have a Bluetooth unit this might do you.
However, it needs a cable so a small Bluetooth adapter with the MSI might actually take up less space without the hassle of hooking up a USB travel cable.
SD Memory Cards with USB Connector
Say you're travelling in Marrakech taking in the sites, sounds and smells of the medina and taking plenty of pictures with your new digital camera.
Your memory card quickly fills up and you would like to download your pics to a computer or Flickr. What do you do?
Well, you can lug your laptop and a usb cable with you, transfer the photos to the computer to free up space and keep shooting. Maybe the next best step is to just bring a usb cable along and use the cheap internet cafes to transfer your photos to your Flickr account.
Pretty clever but here's a way to forget the cable altogether. This is about travelling light with a minimum of gear right?
Use one of the new SD memory cards which have a built in usb connector like the ones made by Sandisk. Their Ultra II SD Plus cards with USB are fast enough for most digital cameras and come in sizes from 512mb to 2gb.
Use one of these cards in your camera and when it gets full just pop into any internet cafe at your travel destination. Check your email and dump your photos into your Flickr account. No cable, no laptop needed.
If downloading your photos will take too long just have the internet shop burn them on CD for a nominal fee.
The only caveat of course is your destination must have a relatively high speed internet connection.