Dockcase Studio Good USB-C Hub 8-in-1

The Dockcase Studio Good USB Hub provides an array of ports with an uncommon twist.

Along with typical ports like USB-C and HDMI, the Dockcase Studio is likely one of the first hubs to deal with the newer CFexpress Kind A (CFe-A) and CFexpress Kind B playing cards (CFe-B).

In a intelligent little bit of engineering, the identical slot can be utilized for CFe-A or CFe-B playing cards. With their fully totally different type components, it is uncommon to see a reader that helps each in the identical reader.

An built-in LCD display screen on the high of the hub gives suggestions on its ports and connections. You may marvel why a hub wants a contact display screen, which I did, and even after testing, I nonetheless marvel about it.

The show gives good suggestions, however after utilizing hubs for many years, I’ve by no means thought, “I want I might see if I’ve an SD card inserted. If solely this card reader had a built-in show as a substitute of simply trying on the slot.”

At $200, this machine is on the higher finish of the pricing vary for high-performance hubs. The built-in display screen appears to be accountable for most of that larger value.

A number of card reader slots make this hub an incredible selection for photographers.

Hubs are available in two varieties. The most typical are low cost plastic hubs with questionable efficiency. These hubs often embody HDMI ports, a number of USB ports, and SD and MicroSD card readers.

These hubs intention for portability and low value, whereas pace is an afterthought. The built-in SD card readers are often slower than a devoted card reader.

Most reasonably priced hubs draw energy from their linked laptop relatively than an AC adapter. Since USB-C contains powering units, pulling energy from a pc is often not a priority.

For years, I’ve used Anker hubs, most not too long ago the 555 USB-C Hub 8-in-1. This $49 machine helps USB C at 10 gigabits per second and has twin USB Kind-A connections, Ethernet, and microSD and SD slots. It definitely is not the quickest hub, nevertheless it dealt with all my wants whereas I used to be on the highway.

The opposite hub class contains extra high-end “docks” that present pro-level efficiency at a equally excessive value. These docks provide a number of USB ports with the quickest connection help. They typically totally help Thunderbolt speeds, and their card readers are exceptionally quick.

One instance of this class of ports is OWC’s $149 14-port Thunderbolt Dock. This dock has two Thunderbolt ports, 5 USB 3.2 ports, mini DisplayPort, Gigabit Ethernet, audio out, and might energy one 5K show or twin 4K shows.

The Dockcase Studio Good USB-C Hub 8-in-1 occupies an area between these two classes, one I did not know wanted to exist.

The packaging signifies there is a drive on this product, nevertheless it’s referring to the cardboard readers.

The Dockcase Studio Good USB-C Hub 8-in-1 attracts energy from the host laptop whereas providing the efficiency of most AC-powered high-end docks. All ports are high-speed, however there are fewer connections than on most docks or hubs at this value.

It features a twin CFe-A and CFe-B reader, which is intelligent as a result of Sony cameras use the CFe-B playing cards, whereas Canon and Nikon use the CFe-A playing cards. Customers of each manufacturers should purchase this dock and have their playing cards supported.

However, together with CFe-A and CFe-B slots means this dock is not as helpful for common customers. It is squarely aimed toward photographers or videographers with the most recent digital camera gear.

There’s additionally an SD slot (in addition to MicroSD). A photographer with a digital camera that includes a CFe-A or CFe-B slot may also make the most of the SD card slots. Nevertheless, a person with cameras that solely help SD playing cards will not profit from these next-gen CF playing cards.

The SD card slot can also be high-speed, with UHS-II speeds for SD playing cards and help for playing cards as much as 2TB capacities. The USB ports are USB 3.2 Gen 2, working at the usual’s quickest 10 gigabits per second.

The dock comes with a high-speed USB-C cable working on the most pace of the USB commonplace, which is a pleasant contact. The cable is a bit brief, so the hub sits awkwardly when tethered to my Mac, however it is a minor quibble.

The included cable is rated for the very best USB speeds, however is a bit brief when plugged into the again of a Mac.

Dockcase’s literature for this hub touts the built-in coloration show on the highest of the unit, and definitely, it is what units it aside. I have been utilizing this hub for weeks now, and I am not sad it has a display screen, however I nonetheless have not discovered a compelling purpose to make use of it.

The Dockcase Hub has an intriguing show on the highest of the unit.

The display screen gives details about the ports, connection speeds, incoming energy, and HDMI efficiency. You possibly can inform at a look if playing cards are within the SD or CFe slots.

An influence standing indicator exhibits how a lot juice the hub is utilizing and whether or not the linked cables can use the utmost energy of the USB-C PD connection.

Because of CFe playing cards’ options, the hub can show their well being, the variety of hours used, and any disconnections the place the playing cards weren’t ejected correctly. None of this info is on the market with SD or MicroSD playing cards, as neither commonplace helps recording this info.

The display screen is vibrant and effectively laid out, and the contact interface works like comparable embedded shows. It isn’t an iPhone show, however the contact interface is fast sufficient to not really feel laggy, and it is simple to swipe by way of the info screens.

That mentioned, nearly none of this knowledge is beneficial. You possibly can inform what number of playing cards are inserted in a hub by it. Should you purchase a high-speed USB-C dock, the ports naturally function on the quickest speeds doable for the cables and units.

Likewise, I do know what resolutions and refresh charges are supported with HDMI standing as a result of that info is listed in System Settings.

What I want Dockcase had accomplished was construct further performance into the hub.

Greater than a decade in the past, Epson had a tool for photographers with a card reader slot and an inside laborious drive. Inserting the cardboard into the machine triggered a backup of all new information to the interior drive.

I’d love a hub with a show that allowed inserted reminiscence playing cards to be backed on the contact of a button. There are quite a few conditions the place I would prefer to again up a card filled with video information with out bringing my Mac.

The bundle for the Dockcase Studio made me suppose that these options have been a part of the machine. The field reads Good USB Hub And Drive. I had hoped the hub had some extent of inside storage.

As an alternative, it appears just like the phrase “drive” pertains to the truth that there are card readers within the hub. I think this wording will likely be eliminated on the ultimate packaging since there aren’t any references to a drive on the product’s Kickstarter web page.

On the subject of pricing, let’s take a look at the aggressive panorama.

The Dockcase Studio Good USB-C Hub 8-in-1 is $200. I might discover no different hubs with CFe slots, not to mention with CFexpress Kind A and CFexpress Kind B. If you would like a hub with these slots, that is your greatest and really possible solely possibility.

Stand-alone readers for CFe playing cards vary from $10 to simply over $100. They are not as handy as one constructed right into a hub, so the Dockcase Studio Good USB-C Hub 8-in-1 may suit your wants. However you’d pay a hefty premium over a separate USB-C hub and a devoted reader.

The marketplace for multi-function hubs is very large, a easy Amazon search brings up pages of hubs from respected firms and from an unlimited array of third-party comparatively unknown merchandise.

Anker, one of many better-known manufacturers and one which many Apple customers flip to for dependable energy provides and different merchandise, has a number of hubs priced a lot decrease than the Dockcase.

Anker makes dependable, reasonably priced hubs.

Its 14-in-1 USB-C Hub has a number of USB A and C ports, though they function at USB’s slower 5 gigabits per second speeds. However it provides extra USB ports, plus Ethernet and HDMI.

Anker additionally has a $149 Thunderbolt 4 mini dock. This machine has a number of combo Thunderbolt 4 and USB-C ports and operates at 40 gigabits per second when linked to a Thunderbolt machine. The dock may also energy a show as much as 8K.

The tradeoff is the shortage of the Dockcase’s a number of automotive readers.

The closest various USB-C dock I do know of that helps CFexpress is OWC’s Thunderbolt Dock Professional. Practically $200 greater than the Dockcase answer, the Thunderbolt Dock Professional is overkill for the viewers the Dockcase targets.

This OWC Thunderbolt dock is an instance of highly effective but large hubs,

The dearth of portability on the OWC dock eliminates it from competing with the Dockcase, which is one other level in favor of the Dockcase hub.

You may get hubs and docks which might be cheaper. You may get exterior card readers that help CFe-A or CFe-B playing cards. You possibly can’t get a mix of a high-speed, moveable hub with a in-built CFe card reader from every other firm.

• Help for each CFexpress card sorts
• Stable, sturdy design
• USB-based energy eliminates the necessity for AC brick
• High-end USB-C efficiency
• Constructed-in show offers at-a-glance standing

• Want for a built-in show is questionable
• Excessive value relative to different options

Regardless of the vary of competitor merchandise at a cheaper price level, none provide the identical number of connectivity choices because the Dockcase.

As a photographer, I like the concept of a dock supporting the latest reminiscence card requirements. As a largely Sony shooter, I do not want the CFe-A reader. Having a port I do not use is ok so long as I get the port I do want. The intelligent design of this hub means I am going to at all times have the cardboard reader I want.

I hope Dockcase considers making a hub providing CFe-A and CFe-B at a cheaper price and not using a display screen.

In any other case, the hub’s sturdy design and the intelligent inclusion of the brand new card slots make this a tantalizing product at a value that is simply out of my attain.

As of the writing of this text, the Dockcase Studio Good USB-C Hub 8-in-1 is a Kickstarter venture, and is totally funded. It’s anticipated to retail for $199.