Chi Ranger Card Reader & Storage Case Air

INTRODUCTION

Our workflow is designed for efficiency and security; while travelling, we rely on a card reader to download our images daily. We ensure that our photos are safeguarded by creating backups on two compact external hard drives—one remains at our accommodation, and the other travels with us. Given the sheer volume of photos we capture during our travels, we have never opted to upload our images to the cloud. Once we return home, we transfer our images directly from the external hard drives to our 4-bay NAS (see image below), and we also maintain an additional copy with a neighbour for added protection. Consequently, we don’t utilise a memory card reader when at home.

Above: A 4-bay Synology NAS

Now, not everyone works the same way, so this is where the subject of this review becomes relevant.

Over the last couple of months, we have been reviewing products made by Chi (Chinotechs) and were pleasantly surprised to find that they manufactured a card reader – the Ranger, which is not only a card reader but a memory card storage case as well. They kindly sent us the Ranger for this review; however, we have not been paid for the review, and all opinions expressed below are ours alone.

WHAT’S IN THE BOX

The Chi Ranger Card Reader and Storage Case Air arrives in a sturdy (W) 12.4cm x (H) 9.7cm x (D) 3.3cm rectangular black box with the Chi logo on the front in Silver. On the side of the box are the words “First Edition”- not sure what this refers to. Maybe a future upgrade will be a Second Edition?

Inside the box is a –

• One-sided printed “Specifications” card with the tech specs and details of the product.
• The Chi Ranger Card Reader
• A soft bag to store the card reader
• A small zip-lock bag containing a USB-A adapter (for those that want to connect via a USB-A port rather than a USB-C port

THE CARD READER

The cord is fairly short and stiff, so it will have to sit fairly close to your device unless you are plugging it into a Hub.

On the opposite side of the card reader is the storage area, which will accommodate 2 x SD cards and 2 x TF/Micro SD cards on each side of the storage area. So it can hold 4 of each type of card. The slots hold the cards quite securely. Once inserted, the cards will definitely not fall out when re-opening the storage area. This will be extremely handy for many photographers, especially those who store backups on cards rather than an external hard drive and for those who shoot sports and fill cards really quickly. This is not a feature that we would use as we download frequently when travelling and then re-format our cards. Nevertheless, the feature is there should the need ever arise.

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SPECIFICATIONS

The Chi Ranger Card Reader will simultaneously read and write to two Cards  (SD/TF/Micro SD) and will support up to the UHS-II (SD4.0) card specification.

To achieve optimal performance, it is recommended to connect the device directly to your device using the USB-C plug, as this ensures a transfer speed of 312mb/s. This is at the high end for card readers that support UHS-II cards, so you are getting a very fast transfer. Keep in mind that the actual speed is limited by the slowest component, so the card and the reader must be compatible for the fastest performance.

Also, connecting through a hub or utilising the USB-A adapter may result in reduced speeds. If your workflow involves using a hub to transfer data from a memory card to an external hard drive, treating the laptop or tablet as an intermediary, you may experience slower transfer speeds.

The USB-A adapter included with the card reader is a USB 3.0; however, if you plug this into a USB 2.0 port on your device, then the transfer speed may be affected. So, to get the most out of this product, you will need a USB-C port or a USB 3.0 port in your device.

The Chi Ranger is compatible with the following:

• Windows 7 and above
• Mac OS 10 and above
• Linux
• Android
• iPad OS

CONCLUSION

Ultimately, the Chi Ranger Card Reader and Storage Case Air proves to be an exceptional accessory for content creators who value efficiency and durability in equal measure. By successfully merging a rugged, weather-resistant storage solution with a high-speed UHS-II reader, it effectively eliminates the “dongle fatigue” that plagues many photographers.

While it faces stiff competition from the bulkier PGYTECH CreateMate, the Ranger Air distinguishes itself with its premium CNC-aluminium construction, which offers a more robust feel without adding significant bulk. If you are looking for a device with a fast transfer speed to streamline your field workflow and ensure your images or footage remain safe, the Ranger Air is an affordable, reliable, all-in-one device that pays for itself in convenience and peace of mind.

Would we use it in our workflow? Damn right we would. The Chi Ranger is a light, fast, and reliable device that will be handy in the field, although, due to our workflow as mentioned, it may be a little slower. Nevertheless, we will give it a whirl on our next adventure and update this post accordingly.

RATED: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED