Nextrox® 5.25" PC Media Dashboard Front Panel USB 3.0 HUB SD MS MMC CF XD TF M2 Card Reader SATA ESATA

I bought this because my PC did not have a media card reader and I needed one. The fact that it also has two (2) USB 3.0 ports, an ESATA port, as well as a SATA port and power adapter (to connect an internal HDD to it), made it all worth while. The device was easy to install and worked as it should as soon as I powered up my computer. Make sure your PC's MOBO has all the necessary connections on it. For the price and what it does, I would definitely recommend this device.

U need to load the PCI/E to USB 3 driver mini-cd in order to use the USB 3 function and insert the PCI/E 1 cable into any free PCI/e slot (1-16) and plug the USB 2 cable into the USB 2 MOBO slot. Once done it works with all USB 1, 2 or 3 devices. Power switch is just for the power out socket, other features work independent. SD and mini SD are great features too. For SATA functions you need extra sata's plugs availabe on the MOBO, older boards may not have enough so check inside your PC, flashlight handy. Just a note, the 4 pin molex power connector may have the pins not seating, so when you push it on to your power supplies matching connector they might not mate, neither USB 2 or 3 will work unless all the molex pins are mated, you might have to push the pin(s) in with a small flat head screwdriver to get it running.

I purchased this item mainly as a way to transfer data from my camera's SD card onto my computer. I saw it was a fairly inexpensive, simple item, so I decided to give it a shot. The installation was easy enough, but my computer case comes with the quick release style 5.25" drive slots. The only downside to these is that the media dashboard is actually shorter than an average 5.25" drive, such as a DVD drive. The screw holes didn't quite line up with all the necessary holes on my 5.25" bays, so I was only able to install 3/4 provided screws. Even so, the drive still seems to hold solid in the bay.Now for the biggest flaws. When I first inserted the SD card into the media dashboard, the very bright blue LED lit up and started flashing. I waited for the "Open folder to view files" option to pop up on my PC, but nothing happened. I pulled the SD card out, and repeated the process four times before my computer would even register that external media had been inserted. Throughout multiple occasions, it generally takes 2-3 tries before the dashboard will finally read the SD card. Also, I realize that this is a very inexpensive product, but the transfer speeds from my SD card to the PC were just too slow for me to bear. When it was going to take approximately 40 minutes to transfer 80 photos from my SD card to my computer, I decided it was time to look elsewhere.Overall, for the price, I would say this media dashboard isn't too bad. If you are looking for a 100% reliable, fast transfer media reader, look elsewhere. If you are looking for a low budget item to just get the job done, then this is the right equipment for you.

Unlike the reviewers who accept that the USB 3.0 does not work because they do not have a spare PCIE slot, I have two spare slots. Yet it still does not work as far as the USB 3.0 is concerned. I can confirm that my slots work with a sound card since they can often be disabled based on the bios settings. Not the case here. It just does not work.What a waste of money. The main reason I purchased this was for the extra 3.0 slots.

I was excited about this. A real USB 3.0 card reader and SATA ports to boot. I've had it for a few months...and it works OK, but there are some issues that prevent me from recommending it.Upon unboxing, I found that it is NOT a USB 3.0 card reader. There are USB 2.0 cables to plug into your motherboard for the card reader. The PCI-e adapter for the USB 3.0 ports is only for the built in USB ports, not the reader.The major issue is the CF slot. The pins inside constantly get bent. The card goes in upside down and doesn't slide in far at all. It's almost impossible to get a card in without the pins getting bent. I always have to take a bent paperclip and straighten pins then try again. For some this may not be an issue, but if you are shooting a more pro-level SLR that still uses a CF card, beware.

Thought I had rated the product before but don't see it here.I see others had similar issues to understand what was purchased and how it should work. It took me awhile to figure it out since I didn't see the other comments when I was trying to get it to work.1. A few printed instructions would make the setup process easier. At least a warning that the manual is JPG pictures only on the CD.2. It was unclear about the provided eSata port function - I assumed the cable marked eSata was to be plugged in to any internal sata port (since the cable was not eSata itself). I do see a slight orange/red light on one side of the eSata port when the power switch is on, so I assumed it was internally powered and that was correct.3. A molex connector for power? An input from a Sata style voltage connector input would have been nice. I use a modular PSU's and had to look for and run a molex power supply otherwise not used in my systems.4. The blue LED comes on when you insert a memory card, so the marking "LED" is superfluous, LED for what? It should be card reader working or "reader on".5. An attached Sata drive was not recognized although power was on to the drive. I assumed I needed to reboot to get the HD drivers to load and this was the case.5. I suggest the USB 2.0 cable be labeled as for card reader.So after first thinking the product was wrong, I have come to the conclusion that it works as described. Quite a nice product, once the over simplistic manual is understood.

Im Prinzip ein super Teil mit intelligenter Sata Lösung und seperatem USB 3.0 Controller.Aber, warum sind die Kartenleser Slot's nur mit USB 2.0 angebunden ???? Mir total unverständlich !!!!

Ordered on Sunday arrived the following Saturday! Really good service well packaged and awesome product which I had up and running in 20 minutes. I particularly liked the "Free nail clippers!" lol nice one.

I like this model best, of all the various versions available, as I have a separate fan controller anyway so I don't need that function. This has an excellent mix of ports: USB3, SATA, eSATA, Multi-Card reader, even Power outputs for testing SATA drives, but IT COULD BE EVEN BETTER. I don't understand why this needs to have a PCIe card to get 2x USB3 ports when many current motherboards already have USB3 headers already built-in. Why not have a model that replaces the PCIe card adapter with a USB3 header instead, as an option (or has both cables included). There must be many people like me using an m-ITX motherboard, whose SINGLE PCIe slot is already occupied, either for a graphics card or for some other expansion card (eg HBA for a NAS). This Dashboard would be SO much better if it didn't need a PCIe card slot to provide 2x USB3 ports. AND it would be a VERY SIMPLE design change. It's not even that hard to do as a modification. I did this myself but I wouldn't recommend this to anyone else unless they're also qualified in Electronics and have all the necessary lab gear like me, but I bought another Dashboard, this time with a USB3 header to 2x USB3 ports included. I didn't care what other ports it had. I got out a fine hacksaw some super glue and before long, hey presto, job done. I don't care that I invalidated the warranty, but I'd much rather have bought a model which didn't need a PCIe card adapter. So I can only give this 4 out of 5. Give it some thought for next year's model.

The instructions could be a heap better I had to search to find out which model I had before I could load the right drivers. It does work fine with windows 8.1 which is the reason I had to switch units. The old one was causing lots of problems.Nice units and easy to install once you have figured it out.

No problems. Everything works as it should. Very satisfied.