With the growth and development of the Windows Mobile and Palm OS Treo Smartphones, users have been able to “clip the cable” and be productive away from their desktops. Treo users on the Windows Mobile side are able to sync their PIM data through their data plan without even needing to create a partnership with their computer. We knew this was coming, but what about the loose ends? How do we get our files (music, documents, pictures, GPS, etc.) to our Treos? Secure Digital Card capacities now rival the iPod and can hold substantial amounts of data. With this expansion, the need for card readers has become even more important to get files onto your Treo. Enter the Sandisk ImageMate 5 in 1 Card Reader.

Specs

USB: High-Speed 2.0 and backwards compatible to 1.1
Slot types Multimedia support:

• MultiMediaCard (MMC)

• Secure Digital (SD) Card
• Memory Stick
• Memory Stick PRO
• xD-Picture Card

Rubber Meets the Road

The ImageMate Software gives the user options to transfer data from the cards to a specific location on the desktop. I tried this out a couple of times for the sake of this review and the software works as promised: it transfers the data from the card to the desktop, but not back to the card.

This is great for both Palm and Winmob Treo users, but what I really wanted was to sync my card to my computer so that the same things appeared on both, particularly some rate pages that I access frequently from my Treo when out of the office. This is where a neat little program by Microsoft called SyncToy comes in very handy. With SyncToy, users can create a synchronization path between the card (in the ImageMate 5 in 1 Card Reader) and a specific drive. Once the sync path is established, you just press the Run button on SyncToy and all of the files on the source folder are copied to the card! Nice feature, and exactly the opposite of what ImageMate’s software does.

The really brilliant feature, however, is that SyncToy also updates between the two folders when any changes are made. For those who are used to Documents to Go on the Palm side and miss it when switching to a Windows Mobile Treo, this application is a must have. Above all, it works flawlessly with the ImageMate 5 in 1 Card Reader.

Of course, since the ImageMate creates a drive letter for your card, you can use always use the simple drag and drop method to move applications or media between your pc and your Treo. The Copy To and Move To commands also work well.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a comprehensive memory card reader, the Sandisk ImageMate 5 in 1 is definitely amongst the best out there. Functionality does come at a price: size. It is a large card reader and is best used alongside your pc. If you are looking for something portable, this will need some space in the gear bag. All in all, it’s an outstanding card reader that really delivers.

Pros:

• Installs without issues

• Fast transfer speeds via USB 2.0.
• Reads multiple card formats.
• Syncs great with Microsoft’s SyncToy
• Performs flawlessly

Cons:

• Size

Related Links

Sandisk ImageMate 5 in 1 Card Reader

Memory Cards

SyncToy at Microsoft

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Filed under: Software reviews