Do I need a camera dock?

[rafikirules]

I was nice enough to pick out my own Christmas present this year, an HP R707 digital camera. On Christmas day, DW surprised me with the R-series dock. This was a great surprise because she is a real technophobe. She avoids technology like she avoids ToT. Therefore I don't want to disappoint her or discourage her efforts, but I am having a tough time seeing the benefits of a camera dock.

My camera seems to have all the functionality of the dock with the exception of a TV slideshow. Also, it seems that I can duplicate the functions of a dock with a card reader and travel charger for half the price.

What am I missing? :confused: Should I keep the dock? :confused: If I return it, will I ever see anything but sweaters from DW again? :sigh:

[Keith]

I don't think you're missing anything.... the dock just makes it easy for people to transfer photos just by putting the camera in it.

Personally I'd keep it just in case you do get sweaters for ever ;-)

[ukwdwnut]

no point of it if you can transfer pics using usb cable direct to pc, you can do a tv slideshow by just burning to a cd and playing on your dvd player, providing the player sees jpeg's :D

[rafikirules]

I am glad you both agree. I might just return it quietly and risk the woolen consequences.

One more point to clarify. One of the "techs" at a local electronics superstore suggested that a card reader will save a lot of wear and tear on the camera because downloading directly from a camera will shorten the camera's life span. I have never heard this one. I think if I use the card reader, I will lose the "instantshare" features of HP and its software.

[Keith]

I always use a card reader I must admit... I don't like the thought of plugging cables in and out everytime and in my experience the card readers are faster

[ukwdwnut]

I always use a card reader I must admit... I don't like the thought of plugging cables in and out everytime and in my experience the card readers are faster

good thinking batman, i might just go get a cad reader to save the connections getting worn, but then again i dont use it loads, could put the money to better use :D

[Keith]

Well I ended up getting a combined floppy drive and card reader ! really cute... 14quid I think from www.scan.co.uk

[ukwdwnut]

oh well thats ok will get one then, somehow i thought they were dearer :D

[Keith]

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=87669

really nice and fast and a flooooooopy drive too

[ukwdwnut]

yeah saw it mate, thanks for the link :D

[Slowhand]

I treated myself to a new camera just before Christmas.
A mains adaptor to use when downloading photos would have cost an extra £75 or so.
Instead, I bought a card reader from PC World for £9.99, and this was one of the best value for money purchases I`ve ever made.
The only "problem" I had was that with only being on Windows 98, I needed a driver to operate it. However the reader came with a cd which installed the driver in around 5 seconds flat.
Downloading photos is now no longer a chore [connecting all of the cables etc.] ... in fact it`s a doddle!

[Keith]

Hows the d70 doing???

[BevW]

Yes, card reader is a must in my household! I have a dock for my Kodak, but I use it to charge the batteries that came with the camera, and when I can't locate my card reader. And your DW won't mind....she's learning something every day! :lol:

[Slowhand]

Hows the d70 doing???

So far so good Keith thanks!
I must admit though, up to now I`ve mainly used the "Auto" setting until I get used to it.
I am currently on page 34 of the manual so I`ve still got a lot to learn!

[Keith]

excellent!!!!!! Can't wait to see some shots!!!!

[JuniorMickey]

OKay, someone please tell me the reasoning for a card reader?

[Slowhand]

OKay, someone please tell me the reasoning for a card reader?

You simply insert your memory card into it and the plug it into your USB port, without the need to hook up your camera to your pc.

[BevW]

AND if you want to share pics with someone else who has their laptop, it's very easy to share. No wires, no drives, like Slow said, put the card into the card reader, pop it onto the computer, and BING! you're done.

You can get card readers that read different types of cards too.

And Card readers fit in your pocket. Docks don't.

[JuniorMickey]

Right now I just stick a cord in my camera and into the USB, easy peasy..... I'm just wondering if this is something I should have

[ukwdwnut]

it would certainly save the camera sockets from wear and tear JM :), i'm gonna get one :)

[BevW]

Ok, mine doesn't look like that..I have a card reader that looks like a Jumpdrive...what did you call them Nut?

[ukwdwnut]

call what a jump drive?

usb pen drive :shrug:
jazz drive
or
Iomega Zip disks

[BevW]

This is the one I have.

[ukwdwnut]

pen drive or pocket drive :D

[BevW]

I'll try to remember that. :lol: And I'm going to go look at the card readers too....one more thing I can add to my list for next year.

[rafikirules]

Great advice!

DW was fine with the return. Especially since I used the $ saved to buy a burner and a card reader.

Thanks again.