Looking for Tiny Micro-SD Reader

Russ on 30/11/2019 - 19:10
Last edited 01/12/2019 - 02:50

Edit: Thanks everyone, I like the one described by AdosHouse, and I'm going with that one.

I like to carry a lot of my data around with me, in the coin section of my wallet. I have been using USB FIT drives, but I have found that they don't last more than a year or two, usually they fall apart physically. And current FIT drives aren't as small as they used to be, and are getting more difficult to buy.

So what I'm now wanting to do is use a fast micro-SD card, in a tiny USB reader. That way it can be a bit like the mythical everlasting axe or broom: "it's a great axe/broom, I've replaced the head three times and the handle twice". If the reader breaks, I'll replace it with another one, and my data stays intact and retrievable.

Good micro-SD cards are easy to find, but good SMALL micro-SD readers are not. Here's the last one I bought, it's smaller than most FIT drives:
https://www.gearbest.com/memory-cards/pp_340799.html

This reader has a problem: it has a dazzlingly-bright blue LED that continuously flickers at an annoying speed. It's so bright that it lights up the room if used in the dark. I found I couldn't use it to play MP3s though my car's radio, it was incredibly distracting.

P.S. painting over the plastic of the reader only works for a short time, until the coins in my wallet scratch the paint off. It's not a long-term option.

So has anyone bought a good micro-SD reader of similar size to the one linked above, that doesn't have an annoying light? A dim light is okay.

USB2 is fine, I don't need USB3 speeds from the reader.

Thanks in advance!

Computing Memory Card Reader

closed Comments

  • jace88 on 30/11/2019 - 19:20
    +2

    Can I just suggest don't buy a cheap one from eBay. I've bought at least five from different vendors in the sub two dollar range, as clearly I don't learn my lesson, and they've all either corrupted the card, or just never worked in the first place.

    I can't give you a good recommendation as they've all had issues for me after only a use or two, and I've reverted to either my UGreen USB C dock or my old Sandisk SD card reader with a MicroSD adaptor.

    • No Username on 30/11/2019 - 19:48
      +1

      This ^. Even a cheap USB to USB C can corrupt USB Drives. I've already killed two sticks.

  • Davo1111 on 30/11/2019 - 19:28
    +1

    it has a dazzlingly-bright blue LED that continuously flickers at an annoying speed

    stick into foam and spray paint?

    I found I couldn't use it to play MP3s though my car's radio

    are you sure this isnt a capacity/format issue of the SD card? some devices are capped at 64GB

    • Russ on 01/12/2019 - 02:18

      are you sure this isnt a capacity/format issue of the SD card?

      No, it played the MP3s fine, but the flashing was insanely distracting and dazzlingly bright. If I had used it for too long at night time, I reckon it could have burned a hole in my retina.

      • Yummy on 01/12/2019 - 02:42

        Sharpie.

        • Russ on 01/12/2019 - 02:46

          Doesn't last, and paint gets scraped off by the coins in my wallet.

          I'm looking for a more permanent solution, and I think I like the readers described by AdosHouse, below, for under AU$4 each.

          • Yummy on 01/12/2019 - 14:00
            +1

            @Russ: So you can just let the coin blocks the light then? Problem solved?

            Here a cheap alt for you, I got a few of these, the light is bearable I reckon. Or else sharpie is your friend, multiple times.

  • brendanm on 30/11/2019 - 20:00
    +1

    Just drill out the led

  • AdosHouse on 30/11/2019 - 20:00
    +1

    https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/658398-REG/Kingston_F…

    I have one, it works and is tiny. Only USB 2.0 but MicroSD isn't that fast anyway.

    Amazon Aus link, https://www.amazon.com.au/Kingston-microSDHC-Memory-Reader-F…

    • Russ on 01/12/2019 - 02:14

      That looks excellent for my purposes, I'm going to try it out.

      It appears to be no longer made - several stores say "no longer available", and Kingston don't list it on their "card readers" webpage.

      I found it on Ebay for under AU$4 each, if I like it I'll buy several to last me a decade or more.

      I am rather concerned that there are a lot of reviews that say "DOA" or "snapped in half", but I reckon it'll last longer if I make up a little cradle to store it in, made from scraps of fibreglass circuit board material.

      Thanks!

  • nandystam on 30/11/2019 - 20:20
    +1

    I brought some of these when I was in JP via Amazon JP:

    https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B001MQBRJE/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=%…

    I have seen this exact same unit rebranded in other markets so you should be able to find one. But like the Kingston one above, it is very tiny. In comparison to other USB 2.0 card readers I thought these were a bit slower but it did the job.

    Are using vinyl paint when painting over the LED? Vinyl paint should penetrate the plastic (it's more of a dye than 'paint') so it shouldn't scratch off easily.

    • Russ on 01/12/2019 - 02:22

      I used to have one of those, a couple of years ago, and then I couldn't find it. I searched through my emails to find where I bought it, tried to buy it again, but everywhere I looked said "no longer available". Good to see it's still available somewhere, but I don't think it will be available for much longer, and I can't find a way to buy it.

    • Russ on 01/12/2019 - 15:26

      Are using vinyl paint when painting over the LED?

      I didn't know vinyl paint existed. I can see that Supercheapauto has cans of vinyl spray paint for about $16, do you know where to buy smaller/cheaper quantities? If not, it's cheaper and easier for me to just buy a new card reader from EBay.

  • elgrande on 30/11/2019 - 20:21
    +1

    It's so bright that it lights up the room if used in the dark.

    Dark room…. files kept offline in wallet…

    Sounds shady.

  • mskeggs on 30/11/2019 - 20:49
    +1

    I have the same one Adoshouse linked above.
    It is about $4 on eBay, search for fcr mrg2

    • Russ on 01/12/2019 - 02:28

      Yep, found it. Thanks!

  • boomramada on 30/11/2019 - 21:15

    SanDisk got the best Mirco SD (USB 3.0) reader but it's $$$.

  • scrimshaw on 01/12/2019 - 01:34
    +1

    I've gone through a lot of cheap SD card readers, some of them are terribly unreliable and can corrupt data.

    I currently use a Kingston MobileLite G4 that I bought 3 years ago (costs $15), still working fine and it has an aluminium body that stands up to everyday carrying. While the unbranded ones tend to fail after a year.

    If the Kingston too big for you, a similarly priced option is the Sandisk Mobilemate. Ugreen is also a decent brand.

    • Russ on 01/12/2019 - 02:49

      They're both a bit too large for me.

      If only uGreen made an all-metal reader that is the size of their metal USB/USB-C memory sticks, I'd jump on it, if it had a USB-A plug.

  • Russ on 01/12/2019 - 02:52
    +1

    Thanks everyone for your help, I'm going with the Kingston one described by AdosHouse.

    I was surprised to get so many answers so quickly, my previous forum posts haven't generated that large a response.

    Thanks again!

    For anyone else looking, I also found a small USB3 reader with both USB-A and USB-C plugs:
    https://www.kingston.com/us/memory-card-readers/mobilelite-d…

    But it's a little too large for me.

  • bamzero on 01/12/2019 - 17:11
    +1

    I see you've found something already (only saw this post in the OzB Newsletter email) but just thought I'd mention I remember seeing a tiny reader where the MicroSD plugged into the usb connector end so the whole thing is the size of one of those tiny dongles. Can't seem to find them at the moment though which doesn't help much.

    EDIT: Actually, found a page to show what I mean, though not sure where to buy. Guess if you search AliExpress enough might find it.
    https://usb.brando.com/usb-microsd-hc-card-reader-with-easy-…

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