Review: Moshi Cardette 3 Card Reader

The Moshi Cardette 3 cannot properly be regarded as a HUB because, just like the previous one, provided it has a USB port in exchange for just two. This would be enough technically to the definition of HUB but it is certainly not what its primary purpose.

You can consider it as Swiss boxcutter connections, able to duplicate a USB port and at the same time provide a reader CompactFlash, Memory Stick, M2, MMC, Micro SD / TF Card, xD-Picture Card, SD, SDHC, SDXC and SDHC / XC meet the specific UHS-I.

Compared with the previous model is wider, thicker and deeper than about 2 mm on each side, while remaining rather pocket. It can be safely used with a desktop computer,  but it is, by its nature, the ideal companion for a laptop. The logo Moshi is now etched deeper, resulting in more readable, and the dot of the ” i ” contains a practical status LED that flashes a delicate blue during transfer.

The Moshi Cardette 3 cable is hidden inside the structure, just slide the stand forward, and we will have access to the compartment that houses it. Flips out and we are ready for connection. Being designed to couple with a laptop is rather short and close to a MacBook is perfect, but if you are thinking of using it with an iMac or Mac mini USB extension cable 3.0 is practically required.

The main feature of Moshi Cardette 3 is to be self-powered. Many HUBs they are, as well as many readers, but it is able to   do both and to support the full card and USB devices feeding them all without any problems. In the example below there are two USB pendrive and a card for each of the three multi-slot: Micro SD, CompactFlash, SD.

Moshi Cardette 3  – Conclusions.

The Moshi Cardette 3 is built well. It  works perfectly, and his style is combined with that of the Mac is not aluminum, as the pictures might suggest, but the structure is solid and very nice aesthetic. The two ports are the largest multi-format, so they can be wider than the card that is inserted, but the internal path is accurate and tabs do not move from the housing. It is fast, full of connections and suitable to be brought always with you, a single product that includes a USB 3.0 duplicator (not to call it HUB) and a multi-format card reader.

It is a veritable Swiss boxcutter for connectivity of memories of all kinds, including of course the Hard Disk. The cable is perfect for laptops but short for desktop computers: if you want to use it on the desk bodies with a USB extension cable 3.0.