PGYTech CFexpress CreateMate Card Reader Case (Type B/SD)
Andy Westlake reviews a rugged memory card case and reader combination
● £99.95 ● pgytech.com
If you shoot a lot of high-resolution stills or video, you’ll probably get through memory card space very quickly. And if you’re in the middle of a shoot when a card fills up, you can’t afford to be scrabbling around in your bag trying to find a clean one. Equally, when it comes to editing your files, you won’t want to wait for ages while they copy across to your computer. If those sound like familiar problems, this unique device might be the solution.
PGYTech’s CreateMate combines a storage case for multiple memory cards with a high-speed reader, in a single ruggedised package. The idea is you can clip it somewhere accessible when you’re shooting, allowing you to switch cards quickly. Thanks to the IP54-rated dust- and splash-proof design, it should keep your valuable files safe and protected. Then when it’s editing time, your cards and reader are already in the same place, ready to go.
When you first open the box, you’re presented with a chunky rubber casing measuring about 12.7x6.3x2.5cm, with a thick loop on one corner for attaching the included carabiner. Push one end, and the card holder/reader slides out. Pressing a small red catch then releases the USB-C plug, allowing you to unloop the connector cable. It’s a deceptively simple and clever design.
In use, it all works really well. The cards push readily into their storage slots and stay in place firmly, with no risk of falling out accidentally. However, they also slide out easily when needed.
Both the card readers are super-quick. I tested them by copying a 31GB folder of raw and JPEG files across to my laptop’s internal SSD, which took about 45 seconds for CFexpress, and 2 minutes 30 seconds for SD. This was as fast as any other readers I had to hand for comparison. The only slight catch is that you can’t use the SD reader when you have a CFexpress card installed.
If you’d prefer to carry something less bulky, the card reader and holder unit can be removed from the rubber shell to reveal a rather smart-looking metal casing (right). Just take care to reassemble it the right way around, with the CFexpress card storage slots on the opposite side to the carabiner.
Verdict
Whether or not you take to this device will probably depend on what you shoot. Arguably, it’ll be most valuable to sports and action photographers, or videographers. But if you can see a case for using one, there’s no doubt it’ll do the job very well.