MimoMicro MicroSD Card Reader & Drive

MimoMicro MicroSD Card Reader & Drive - Yoda

Score: 85%
Developer: Mimoco
Device Type: Memory/Storage

Compatible With:

Function:

Despite being a part of the MimoBot series, the MimoMicro MicroSD Card Reader & Drive - Yoda is not actually a thumb drive. There is no built-in memory and it has no storage. I know it says it right in the name, but I want to make this clear, this is actually a card reader for a Micro SD card. Although, instead of merely reshaping the MicroSD card to look like a standard sized SD card like most converters, this converts the memory card into a USB-compatible device so that you can treat the MicroSD card as if it were a thumb drive.

In this case, the MimoMicro is shaped to look like Yoda, but the only functional piece is the part that swivels out of Yoda's back. On one end of this part is a USB jack and on the other is the cradle that you slip the MicroSD card into. In fact, looking through the list of different MimoMicro products, this is the same across the board. It's the rest of the card reader that gives it its shape and theme.

The MimoMicro MicroSD Card Reader & Drive - Yoda also comes with a green braided cord that hooks around Yoda's left elbow. The other end has a small carabiner-style clip to make it easy to attach your MimoMicro to something and not lose the card reader.

Performance:

MimoMicro MicroSD Card Reader & Drive - Yoda does exactly what is advertised. Plugging a MicroSD card into one end of the reader and plugging the other end into a computer lets you easily read the data on the card without having to have a built-in card reader. Instead, any device that has a USB drive, even a car radio, won't be able to tell the difference between your MicroSD card and any other flash drive.

Because of the way the card reader is designed, the only moving part is the piece that you plug the MicroSD card into. This is a hinged piece that swings out from Yoda's back. Pulling and twisting on this piece a bit, you get the feeling that it could pop out of its hinges, but on the flip side, short of the pegs it rotates on actually breaking, it also seems like it wouldn't be much trouble popping the piece back into place. Thankfully, since all of the hardware and electronics are encased in the one piece, if the card reader portion of the MimoMicro does pop off, it should still work.

Features:

Use as a USB Flash Drive with Removable Memory
Use as a MicroSD Card Reader to Transport Data Between Your Computer and Mobile Phones, Digital Cameras or MP3 Players

Drawbacks & Problems::

I see very few problems with the MimoMicro MicroSD Card Reader & Drive - Yoda. The main one, and one you will find with most themed or decorative thumb drives, or USB-based devices, is that you can’t really plug multiple USB devices next to each other with the MimoMicro hooked up. This is an issue that you will also see with the MimoBot series, and it should be fairly obvious when you see the shapes of the card readers, but I feel it needs to be stated just to make sure all the bases are covered. That being said, a small USB extension cable should be all that you need to carry around with you if you want to use this MicroSD Card Reader with other devices. Then again, that’s yet another thing to lug around with you.

The only other issue I can find think of with the MimoMicro is the part that rotates out. There is the potential for that to pop out of its place, but as I said above, this shouldn’t cause any functional issues with the device. Worst case scenario, you will end up with a small MicroSD to USB converter and a plastic Yoda figure.

At this point though, I don’t see a big need for the MimoMicro. Only people who use the MicroSD card in various devices, like their cameras, should really consider this gadget, and really only if you find yourself using computers that don’t have SD reader slots or you don’t have the standard MicroSD to SD converter that seems to come with this type of memory card.

-J.R. Nip, GameVortex Communications
AKA Chris Meyer

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