I'm not usually really effusive when it comes to CompactFlash card readers. Looking around my office, I can see probably a dozen models without even having to get up and walk around.

There are two Lexar FireWire readers right in front of me, a FireWire 400 and a FireWire 800 model. Next to them is a SanDisk USB 2.0 model along with some older USB 1.0 no-name models that I've purchased all over the world when I either forgot to bring a reader or my model went south on me. There are also the 15-in-1 type readers I've kept around in case I happen to need to read a MemoryStick (though I can't remember the last time I shot onto a MemoryStick) or some obscure xD card.

Recently, I've grown partial to Lexar's new "Lexar Professional UDMA Dual Slot Reader" http://www.lexar.com/readers/pro_udma_dualslot.html because it's fast and it's compact. It is slightly reminiscent of the original iMac (in a good way) with its rounded corners and translucent plastic parts. The LPUDSR, as I like to call it, fits both a CF and SD card at the same time (nifty, since all my cameras take one of the two types) and supports the new UDMA-speed cards at really fast transfer speeds.

UDMA cards are the latest generation in high-speed data transfer and is supported by all the top pro cameras. However, UDMA cards need a compatible reader in order to get high-speed transfers off of the cards. (Non UDMA readers can actually perform more slowly with a UDMA card than can the right model—and this USB 2.0 reader fits the bill.)

The fastest speeds we've seen on cards have been with FW800 readers but not every computer has a FW800 jack and the FW400 port's great, but also not on a lot of PCs. USB 2.0's ubiquitous so this is a good reader to have in your camera bag.

It doesn't hurt that this thing only costs $45 for that blazing speed either, as my collection of card readers has already cost me enough.