The PGYTech CreateMate is a card reader built into a card case: it stores your SD/microSD (or CFexpress, depending on version) cards and reads them over USB-C at high speed, so the reader is always where the cards are. Hands-on notes, speeds, and specs below.
Memory card readers aren’t exactly the most exciting photography accessories out there. They won’t help you take better photos or make the process more fun — they’re entirely utilitarian. The core differences between them usually come down to one being slightly faster than another.
But every once in a while, a manufacturer tries a new design to boost flexibility and convenience. Sometimes it’s for a studio setup with a modular, stackable concept. In the case of the reader I’m focusing on here, it’s about the convenience of combining a high-speed reader with secure memory card storage.
It’s the PGYTech Createmate.
It makes perfect sense when you think about it. Instead of carting two separate items around on your travels, you can consolidate them into one rugged unit.
That said, this is limited strictly to SD and microSD cards for both reading and storing. It’s going to be of less use to you if you’re shooting with a high-end mirrorless or DSLR that relies on CFexpress Type B, XQD, or CompactFlash.
I originally bought and tested the SD/microSD version. Since then, they’ve released versions for CFexpress Type B and CFexpress Type A that have much faster transfer speeds (see below).
In use
There’s not much to the setup; it’s refreshingly simple to use. One of the things I like most about this design is that PGYTech kept it elegant — they haven’t overcomplicated it with latches, buttons, or spring-loaded locks that are prone to breaking.
The card reader/storage section simply pushes into the silicone casing and is held in place by friction. The USB-C cable is attached and wraps neatly around the storage area to stay out of the way when retracted. The card holder slots also use a tight friction fit to hold your media securely.
The memory card reader
The device connects via a built-in USB-C cable. There’s one dedicated slot for SD cards and another for microSD cards. While I couldn’t find an explicit mention of UHS speed classes in the initial documentation, PGYTech support has confirmed that both slots are UHS-II compatible.
The USB 3.1 connection and UHS-II compatibility mean you have the potential for very fast transfers, provided you’re using a fast UHS-II memory card and a modern computer or tablet. It remains backward compatible with older cards, but you’ll obviously see slower data transfer rates in those cases.
Memory card storage
In addition to being a reader, the Createmate provides internal storage for a surprising amount of media:
- 4 x SD cards
- 4 x microSD cards (often labeled as TF cards)
- 2 x Nano SIM cards
- 1 x Ejection Pin (included in its own dedicated slot)
The card storage is wrapped around the exterior of the reader mechanism. Because the entire center assembly slides deep into the silicone casing, your cards are well-protected from both the elements and the risk of vibrating loose in your bag.
Durability & ingress protection
PGYTech gives this an IP54 protection rating. If you aren’t familiar with ingress protection codes, here is how that translates to real-world use:
The “5” denotes dust protection. While it isn’t hermetically sealed, dust entry is limited enough that it shouldn’t interfere with the internal electronics or card slots.
The “4” refers to water protection. It is rated against splashing water from any direction. It’ll survive a rainy hike or a coffee spill, but it is not designed to be submerged in water.
Key specifications
- Interface: USB 3.1 / USB-C (Transfer speeds up to 312MB/s)
- Slots: Dual UHS-II slots (SD and microSD)
- Rating: IP54 Weather Resistance
- Materials: Aluminum alloy and Silicone
What’s in the box?
- PGYTech Createmate Reader/Storage Unit
- Silicone Protective Case
- Travel Carabiner Clip
- SIM Ejection Pin
Wrap up
Is the PGYTech Createmate going to revolutionize the world of memory card readers? No, probably not. But it absolutely deserves a place in your bag if you value a minimalist travel kit.
The less time I have to spend digging through the bottom of a dark camera bag for a stray reader or a tiny plastic card case, the better. I love that this keeps my spare media and my offloading tool in one rugged package.
While I’d love a version that also handled CFexpress Type B, for photographers relying on SD and microSD, this is one of the most practical travel accessories I’ve tested in a while. (Update: They’ve since come out with just such a version!)
Price & availability
Its formal name is the PGYTech Createmate High-Speed Card Reader Case.
It now comes in a few different variations based on the cards it can work with, including SD, microSD, and CFexpress cards (Type A and Type B).
I bought mine at Amazon, but you can pick them up elsewhere as well.
