IWill CR620 6-in-1 Card Reader

Article Author : Ian
Date : 2nd Aug 2003
Comments :

Introduction

IWill have released their CR620 6-in-1 USB 2.0 Card Reader as an update to their original USB 1.1 version of the product. The product is essentially the same, just slightly different construction differences, and a faster transfer potential. Each of the four slots can accommodate one (or possibly two) types of media format:

Compact Flash (CF)
MultiMedia Card (MMC)
Secure Digital (SD)
Smart Media (SM)
Memory Stick (MS)

The sixth "format", implied in the 6-in-1 name, comes from using an IBM Microdrive - which is technically a small hard drive, but able to fit into a Compact Flash slot.

The IWill CR620

The appearance of the CR620 is almost identical to that of the CR611 - the only difference being the strange pattern on the front of the unit. I have no idea what it is supposed to symbolise, and I personally think it would look better without it.

Specifications

Supports : Type I/II Compact Flash, IBM Microdrive, Smart Media, Secure Digital, MultiMedia Cards, Memory Stick
USB 2.0 Interface
Plug and Play / Hot Swap
Weight : 55g
Dimensions : 77mm*58mm*16mm
Windows 98/NT/ME/XP/2000

The IWill card reader also allows you to insert a card in each slot and copy between any of them, not all card readers will allow this, so it is worth bearing in mind if you will be performing this operation. The CF Type I/II and IBM Microdrive share the same Compact Flash slot, as do the Secure Digital and MultiMedia Cards.

Included Items

CR620 6-in-1 Card Reader
Carrying Case
Instruction Sheets
Installation CD (including Photo Explorer SE Basic)
USB Cable

Contents of the CR620 Bundle

IWill bundle the exact same items with the CR620 as they do with its predecessor - just with a slightly different design on the items. Photo Explorer SE Basic is again included on the driver CD, and will function as a simple photo viewing/editing application for photos from your digital camera. The carry case is ideal to add into your laptop bag, as it includes the cable/CD/reader to get everything up and running.

The rear of the packaging however, shows a misleading graph titled "IWILL CD620 = Hi Bandwidth USB 2.0" seemingly showing the performance of the "IWILL CR620" against "Other Readers". The "Other Readers" score 40 and the IWill unit scores 480 (no units). This of course refers to theoretical transfer speeds of the USB 2.0 and 1.1 standards in Mbps - but it looks very misleading to the buyer - the unit will not perform 40 times faster!

Page Navigation : [1] [2]