Targus Card Reader 2
October 15th, 2008 by ComputerBob
Several weeks ago, I told you about the new Targus memory card reader that I had bought to transfer photos to my computer, instead of connecting my digital camera to my computer.
The Targus worked great — when it worked. Unfortunately, sometimes my computer wouldn’t “see” it connected to its USB port. As time went on, it worked less and less often.
For a long time, I assumed that the problem was caused by changes in Debian Linux (Lenny), which I was updating every few days.
But the other day, I finally got tired enough of the Targus not working that I did some tests on it. I discovered that it had an intermittent connection somewhere inside of it that was made worse by the fact that its USB cord plugs into it, instead of being permanently molded to it.
So, a couple of days ago, I took the Targus card reader back to Walmart and got a refund for it.
Unfortunately, Walmart stores don’t stock any other memory card readers that work with Compact Flash memory cards. And the ones that they sell on their web site appear to have the same design flaw of having a removable USB cable.
I checked a few other stores online, but I didn’t see anything that fit both my needs and my budget.
So I’m back to connecting my digital camera directly to my computer to transfer photos — unless and until I can find an inexpensive memory card reader that will work reliably for me.
Update: After I wrote this post, I eventually bought a used PC that came with multiple memory card reader slots built into it. Several months later, I was given an almost new PC, by a client who I had successfully switched from that PC to a new Macintosh. That PC also has multiple memory card reader slots built into it. So now I simply insert my Canon camera’s memory card into either of of those PCs and use the Linux file manager to quickly and easily transfer my photos to my home network’s NFS server.
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Tags:
Consumer Info, Hardware, Linux, Personal, Review
December 16th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
You should try tigerdirect.com. They have all kinds of readers there. I saw several compact flash readers, too!
December 23rd, 2008 at 11:35 pm
Bob - I just bought one of these to use with my Mac, and its not showing up. Weird part is - the “power” light on the USB is lit. So theer’s a connection … just not a “good enough” one? Have you heard anything more about these Targus reader/writers yet ? I bought it at the Shack, to load pictures into a chip for a gift digital picture frame. We’ll se how it goes - Thanks !!
April 23rd, 2009 at 5:00 pm
I am so relieved to read others’ saga with this @##$$%%%^ Targus 25-memory card for my camera. I am NOT computer savy and the card reader would be “seen” by my PC once in awhile, then it wouldn’t read it, then it would, etc. Then the adobe photoshop wouldn’t locate it the plug-in device, and then I thought maybe the HP printer had to be disconnected before the Targus could be “seen”. GRRRRRR…..I have spent over 20 hours trying to figure this out. I’m glad I found your remarks. I’m going to pitch this thing!!!
April 28th, 2009 at 8:11 am
I have the Targus high speed card reader/writer for SD/SDHC/MMC . I was told to initialize it for it to work with my mac but I keep getting an error with the disk utility. Any ideas?
June 30th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
I had purchased a cheapy plastic card reader from a internet cellphone accessory company that ships out of Hong Kong, and it LOOKED cheap, BUT IT WORKED. The USB cord was permanently attached. I gave it to my son and was going to get another, but I bought the Targus from Walmart. Intermittent light, won’t show up on my MAC’s desktop with SOME memory cards, especially not my mini SD card, which I bought it for to begin with……. so I guess I’ll go back to the Hong Kong cheapy one.
December 5th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
I bought a Targus High Speed SD/SDHC/MMC Card Reader/Writer from a local WalMart store in Virginia Beach several months ago. I have been using it frequently. Thus far it has not developed any problems . I hope it will remain so for a long time. When I plug it into a front USB port of my Dell 2400 Dimension PC running Windows XP, it gets recognized immediately and Local Drive E: changes to Removable Drive E: on the My Computer page.
To read the files on my camera memory card, I just double-click Removable Drive E: There is no need to install any software.
I hope this information helps.
March 29th, 2010 at 12:13 pm
I was having issues with mine but got it to work with the SD card. Try slowly putting the card in so its not in the whole way, it wouldnt read for me when i put it in hte whole way but it was probably like 90% of the way in when it showed up on my Mac desktop =) hope this helps some people out.
November 16th, 2010 at 2:16 am
Have you a wireless NIC card in your computer or a wireless access point? If the answer is “yes”, then perhaps yuo could try out one of the new eye-fi memory cards with the built in wifi that is reported to allow you to transfer your images directly to your hard drive. Reportedly the better ones have an “unlimited or endless memory”, in so much as they allow you to set a threshold level–say 75%of the cards memory, and when you reach this level they will then automatically transfer your photos to the network you designate, at the earliest possible time. This then allows you to continue capturing life’s beautiful moments without needing to stop to down load previous images.
Perhaps you could evaluate these cards and report back to your readers whether these are a great idea that still needs much development or if it would be something shutterbugs should consider purchasing for themselves and their friends and family.
Thanks for your feedback.
kEVIN
January 12th, 2011 at 10:30 pm
I used this card reader without a glitch for hundreds of pics and for the last 6 months or so. Now, I cannot get it to work. I went to the Targus site to download the drivers and when I clicked on the download driver for the reader what was downloaded was a program called Driver Detective and the registration link doesnt work for that so I have attempted over and over again to get this to work. Microsoft offers a solution: upgrade to Windows 7 with the Media Center where supposedly I can once again click on My Pictures and the reader will show up. This is TOTAL BS! I really wish someone has figured this out and how to get drivers for XP 3 that work! AAAAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAH