IOGEAR GFR281 56-in-1 USB 2.0 Memory Card Reader/Writer

Pros: I use it with my HTPC to view picture files and copy them to my home network server. Worked fine with xD and assorted SDHC cards. Has slot for miniSDHC so don't need adapter. Recognized immediately by Win 7 Home Premium 64 through USB hub. No problem with USB cord.

Cons: None

Pros: Just plug it in and it works

Cons: None

Pros: Worked for CF cards

Cons: Does not read SDHC cards. The PC recognizes the drives but not the card when one is inserted. This is the second and last IOGEAR device I'll purchase. The internal IOGEAR reader I purchased has the same problem.

Other Thoughts: I thought IOGear was a decent brand. I'm no longer a fan.
The OS is Vista Home Premium.

Manufacturer Response:

Thank you for choosing IOGEAR and we apologize for your experience. The GFR281 does work with SDHC cards however we cannot test or guarantee it will work with all cards on the market. Some of these cards have a high speed transfer rate to work with today’s digital SLR cameras that may not be compatible with this card reader. Once again, thank you for choosing IOGEAR.

Pros: Inexpensive, good size

Cons: After a year of using this reader it seems like half the time I go to use it is not working than I have to pull the usb connection and reconnect. Half the time it does not recognize the device reconnect again. I do not have these problems with my other USB hubs etc.

Manufacturer Response:

Thank you for choosing IOGEAR and we apologize for your experience. The GFR281 carries a 3 year warranty. Please email us with a phone number to contact you at support@iogear.com. We will be more than happy to contact you with quality service and process an RMA. Once again, thank you for choosing IOGEAR.

Pros: * I'm using this reader/writer with WinXPpro SR3. XP recognized the unit and installed it without additional software download; it shows up as four disc drives. The unit works just fine for Compact Flash and SD memory. I don't use other types but I assume it will work properly with them as well.

Cons: * The unit arrived with an intermittent USB cable. It appears the problem was at the mini-B conncetor. The problem showed in Windows Explorer as variable counts of additional drives; wiggle the cable at the mini-B end and the drive count would change or disappear completely.
* I may be doing something wrong, because sometimes it takes more than just a few seconds for Windows Explorer to show the contents of a memory card plugged into the IOgear unit. Could be a setup issue, don't know yet. But once I can "see" the memory card, read/write works fine.

Other Thoughts: Anyone can have a problem with shipping units that turn out to be defective, the question is how they resolve the problem for those unlucky customers. I sent e-mail to IOgear Customer Support about the USB cable issue and WITHIN ONE DAY they got back to me with an offer of a replacement cable. That cable has arrived (no charge and free shipment) and solved the problem! I'd definitely buy an IOgear product again.

Pros: Got this for my girlfriend so she could use it with her laptop. It works great and she loves it. She hasn't reported any problems with it and uses it frequently to upload pictures from her camera.

Cons: None

Pros: Plug & Play to any USB Computer and it recognize it right away, Fast Data Transfer on my tested Cards Compact Flash SanDisk Extreme III 30MB/s 4GB, SanDisk Ultra II 15MB/s 16GB SDHC Card, Sony Memory Stick PRO DUO 8GB

Optional & Recommended to download the GFR281 Driver on IOGEAR Website they've provided for VISTA/WINDOWS 7

Cons: None, It reads all my Memory Cards

Other Thoughts: Highly Recommended Card Reader

Pros: Looks nice

Cons: Broken, I have windows 7, I tried without drivers, didn't work, installed drivers, still didn't work. Checked Devices and Printers in control panel, Windows saw the reader but labelled it as an unspecified device. I'm not sure if it's a driver problem or if the unit is just broken but I am not happy with this one.

Other Thoughts: If it worked it would be nice, has plenty of slots, is small and light.

Manufacturer Response:

First, thank you for choosing IOGEAR and we apologize for your experience. The product should not behave as you described. The GFR281 is a plug and play devise with Windows 7. Please contact our customer service at email: support@iogear.com and let us know in more detail on when and how you’re having this experience. We strive to ensure our customers are serviced with a properly working unit to exceed your satisfaction. Again, thank you for choosing IOGEAR.

Pros: Outstanding Vendor, Reviews Excellent, Recieved in 3 Days. I've Bought form Before and will again.

Cons: None

Pros: Price is right for the number number of card options! Great response time. Size is right for my environment (not too big or little).

Cons: I agree with the post re: sub-standard cord. I carried this with me (camera case, laptop case, etc.) - not durable enough for that.

Other Thoughts: It lasted only 6 months before cable connector gave out. My bad! Replacement card reader has a self-storing cable design.

Manufacturer Response:

First, thank you for choosing IOGEAR and we apologize for your experience. Since the unit is backed by IOGEAR's 3 year warranty feel free to contact our customer support at 1-866-946-4327 or email us: support@iogear.com. IOGEAR does have a card reader that would meet your needs. The model number is GFR210. We strive to ensure our customers are serviced with a properly working unit to exceed your satisfaction. Again, thank you for choosing IOGEAR.