Lexar USB3 Card Reader Works on MacBook Pro Retina with Lexar Firmware Update
Related: camera cards, laptop, Lexar, loupe, MacBook, MacBook Pro, SDXC camera storage card, USB
Well, I thought I was all set for ingest on my new MacBook Pro with Retina display (see my review).
I was sorry to report that the Lexar Professional USB 3.0 Dual-Slot Compact Flash / SDXC card reader was inoperable on the MacBook Pro Retina. The blue light blinks forever, but nothin' happens with either SDXC or Compact Flash cards. But this is all FIXED with the firmware update.
UPDATE: Lexar has posted a fix for the problem. [nit pick: “No device is found” when I run the updater (which installs into the Applications folder), it requires a system reboot to detect and update the reader (run it again). It also refers to firmware as “FW”, which I find confusing similar to the abbreviation for “Firewire”. After updating, run the uninstaller script (requires Terminal command line, then reboot). Feels just like Windows. ] But all is well afterwards—
Performance of the Lexar reader with a fast SDXC or Compact Flash card is SUPERB in my initial testing, with SDXC speeds particularly attractive.
Lexar 400X SDXC 64GB: reads at 78 MB/sec (!)
SanDisk Extreme Pro 90MB/sec Compact Flash: reads at ~61MB/sec
This now completes the in-the-field puzzle: a fast card reader along with a super-fast USB3 SSD and I am set for field work with the MacBook Pro with Retina display.
I’ve ordered the Hoodman USB 3.0 UDMA Reader to try also.
