Sonnet Echo ExpressCard/34 Thunderbolt Adapter
- No Longer Available
- B&H # SOECHOE34
- Mfr# ECHO-E34
Product Highlights
- Add Peripherals via ExpressCard/34 Card
- Hot-Swap Cards
- For Most Sonnet ExpressCard/34 Cards
- Compatible with Macs with Thunderbolt
Remember the Essentials
A Thunderbolt cable is required but not included with this item. Please be sure to purchase a Thunderbolt Cable.
The Echo ExpressCard/34 Thunderbolt Adapter from Sonnet is an excellent way to expand your interface options on your Thunderbolt-enabled Mac computer. This external adapter connects to a Thunderbolt port and features an ExpressCard/34 card slot with the PCI Express 2.0 x1 bus interface. You can add Gigabit Ethernet, FireWire, USB 3.0, CompactFlash, and SDXC flash card connectivity to your computer. All you need is the relevant ExpressCard/34 to fit into the adapter. In addition, the adapter also supports specialty adapters like the latest revision PCIe Bus Extender for Sonnet's Qio Professional Media Readers, and the interface adapter for the AJA io Express. Plus, you can hot-swap cards.
This adapter supports high-performance SxS memory cards that are used in Sony's XDCAM EX line of professional HD camcorders and the ARRI ALEXA line of digital cameras. With the added capability to read SxS, SxS Pro and SxS-1 cards, this adapter enables Mac computers to read SxS cards at over 100MB/s via Thunderbolt.
To setup the adapter, simply connect it to the end of your Thunderbolt device chain and to your computer via a separately sold Thunderbolt cable. Because the adapter is plug-and-play and does not require an AC adapter for power, you can immediately begin using it. The only software you might need to install would be for your ExpressCard/34.
Note! This adapter is compatible only with select Sonnet ExpressCard/34; however, other manufacturer's ExpressCard/34 products are expected to become compatible as their drivers are updated to be Thunderbolt technology-aware.
Sony's Thunderbolt technology-compatible SxS driver for Mac OS X may be downloaded from this Sonnet support link.
- Expands Your Computer's Connectivity and Capabilities
- Enables you to use ExpressCard/34 adapters with Thunderbolt technology-equipped computers
- Fast Interface
- High-performance 10Gbps Thunderbolt technology and 5Gbps ExpressCard/34 2.0 interface
- Supports Common ExpressCard/34 Adapters
- Supports Sonnet CompactFlash and SDXC readers; FireWire, Gigabit Ethernet, USB 3.0, and select eSATA adapters
- Supports Specialty ExpressCard/34 Adapters
- Supports ExpressCard adapters for specialty devices such as Sonnet's Qio and the AJA io Express
| Bus Interface | PCI Express 2.0 x1 |
| External Connectors |
1x Thunderbolt 1x ExpressCard/34 |
| Data Transfer | Up to 5Gbps |
| RoHS Compliant | Yes |
| Compatible |
Mac Compatibility (Macs with Thunderbolt Technology): iMac (Late 2011) Mac mini (Mid 2011) Mac mini Server (Mid 2011) MacBook Air (Mid 2011) MacBook Pro (Early 2011) Mac OS 10.6.8+ Mac OS X Lion compatible Note: Use of the adapter requires a Thunderbolt cable Supported ExpressCard/34 Adapter Types: PCIe-based with driver support for Thunderbolt Technology List of Compatible ExpresssCard/34 Adapters: eSATA Sonnet Tempo SATA Pro ExpressCard/34 Sonnet Tempo SATA 6Gbps ExpressCard/34 Sonnet Tempo edge SATA 6Gbps ExpressCard/34 FireWire Sonnet FireWire 800 Pro ExpressCard/34 Sonnet FireWire/USB ExpressCard/34 Memory Card Readers Sonnet SDXC UHS-I Pro Reader/Writer ExpressCard/34 Sonnet Pro Dual CompactFlash Adapter ExpressCard/34 Specialty Product Adapters Sonnet PCIe Bus Extender ExpressCard/34 Note: Other manufacturer's ExpressCard/34 products are expected to become compatible as their drivers are updated to be Thunderbolt technology-aware |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 2.7 x 4.0 x 1.3" (6.7 x 10.0 x 3.4 cm) |
| Weight | Not specified by the manufacturer |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 15 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
91%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Fast (11)
- Easy to set up (9)
- Easy to use (9)
- Good power output (4)
Cons
Best Uses
- Upgrade (6)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Quality oriented (9)
- Primary use:
- Business (11), Personal (3)
Most Liked Positive Review
Works great if you can find the driver
I'm an advanced amateur photographer who gets impatient when it takes more than a few minutes to download items from my CF card. So a few years ago I bought a Sandisk Extreme Pro CF...Read complete review
I'm an advanced amateur photographer who gets impatient when it takes more than a few minutes to download items from my CF card. So a few years ago I bought a Sandisk Extreme Pro CF reader. Problem is, it turned out my computer did not have an Expresscard/34. So instead of returning the card reader as I should have, I stored it in my desk at work for the last several years.Finally, this Thunderbolt adapter appeared, and it was just what I needed. After waiting a few months for the price to come down I plunked down the cash for this and a cable. It arrived a few days later. I wrestled it out of the package, hooked it all together (computer, T-bolt cable, T-bolt adapter, CF card reader, CF card) and ... nothing. The card was not recognized.I tore through the Internet, downloading drivers from Sandisk, Lexar, what have you. I even e-mailed Sandisk customer support. Here's their non-helpful response: "We understand that you want to know if the SanDisk Expresscard adapter drivers would work with Sonnet Echo Expresscard adapters. We are sorry to inform you that SanDisk Expresscard adapter drivers were released only for SanDisk Express cards and we do not have any published information about Sonnet Echo Express card adapters. If you need any further assistance please revert back to this e-mail."I was all set to send this product back when I downloaded the Sonnet driver for their Expresscard/34 CF reader. Hallelujah! It works! I don't know why, nor do I care, but now that it's all hooked up I feel confident of being able to download images with blazing speed. And you can too. Just be open-minded when you're searching for drivers for your own Expresscard devices.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
It works great but...
I bought this to have USB 3.0 capabilities. It worked fine for the first couple of days but when I went to store it away in my desk drawer, I heard a rattle inside ...Read complete review
I bought this to have USB 3.0 capabilities. It worked fine for the first couple of days but when I went to store it away in my desk drawer, I heard a rattle inside the unit. I had the adapter for under a week and used it twice before hearing "the rattle" sliding around inside the adapter casing…I handle ALL of my equipment with tender, love and care. So, I brought it back to B&H and they replaced it. The new unit is working fine with no loose parts!
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 15 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-15
Pros
- Fast
Cons
Best Uses
- Upgrade
Comments about Sonnet Echo ExpressCard/34 Thunderbolt Adapter:
This is cheaper than the older Sony USB SxS reader and you can put different adapters in it!
- Primary use:
- Business
Pros
- Easy To Set Up
- Easy To Use
Cons
Best Uses
- Enhance Experience
Comments about Sonnet Echo ExpressCard/34 Thunderbolt Adapter:
It works just like advertised, and provides increased functionality for my thunderbolt equipped MACBOOK PRO.
- Primary use:
- Business
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Sonnet Echo ExpressCard/34 Thunderbolt Adapter:
Perfect for professionnal
- Primary use:
- Business
Pros
- Easy To Set Up
- Easy To Use
- Fast
Cons
Best Uses
- Add flexibility to Mac
Comments about Sonnet Echo ExpressCard/34 Thunderbolt Adapter:
MacBook Pro does not have native SATA ports. Use this adapter to go from Thunderbolt to ExpressCard to SATA to external drives. Very fast.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Easy To Set Up
- Easy To Use
- Fast
- Small Footprint
Cons
- Card ejects too easily
Best Uses
- Upgrade for macbook 13
Comments about Sonnet Echo ExpressCard/34 Thunderbolt Adapter:
I initially had four firewire devices daisy chained in my studio: Mackie Onyx 1640i, TC Helicon Impact Twin, Hard Drive, and UAD 2 Satellite Duo- all on one firewire port. It worked, but if ever I wanted to grow I had to find an alternative. In comes the Echo adapter. First, it should be noted that it's two channels, so it's really like adding two more firewire ports on two different busses. Then it's way faster and it can excede even firewire 800 speed, if used for other purposes. I've connected my UAD and my harddrive to, even though I could've went the other way with my interfaces. As a matter of fact, I'm sure I could connect all four of my firewire devices and more with no problem and loads of bandwidth to spare. Right now, the only issue i have with it is that the card ejects too easily but I have it away from everything and I shouldn't have a problem with that.
- Primary use:
- Business
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fast
- Powerful
Cons
- Hard To Set Up
Best Uses
- Photography
- Upgrade
Comments about Sonnet Echo ExpressCard/34 Thunderbolt Adapter:
I'm an advanced amateur photographer who gets impatient when it takes more than a few minutes to download items from my CF card. So a few years ago I bought a Sandisk Extreme Pro CF reader. Problem is, it turned out my computer did not have an Expresscard/34. So instead of returning the card reader as I should have, I stored it in my desk at work for the last several years.Finally, this Thunderbolt adapter appeared, and it was just what I needed. After waiting a few months for the price to come down I plunked down the cash for this and a cable. It arrived a few days later. I wrestled it out of the package, hooked it all together (computer, T-bolt cable, T-bolt adapter, CF card reader, CF card) and ... nothing. The card was not recognized.I tore through the Internet, downloading drivers from Sandisk, Lexar, what have you. I even e-mailed Sandisk customer support. Here's their non-helpful response: "We understand that you want to know if the SanDisk Expresscard adapter drivers would work with Sonnet Echo Expresscard adapters. We are sorry to inform you that SanDisk Expresscard adapter drivers were released only for SanDisk Express cards and we do not have any published information about Sonnet Echo Express card adapters. If you need any further assistance please revert back to this e-mail."I was all set to send this product back when I downloaded the Sonnet driver for their Expresscard/34 CF reader. Hallelujah! It works! I don't know why, nor do I care, but now that it's all hooked up I feel confident of being able to download images with blazing speed. And you can too. Just be open-minded when you're searching for drivers for your own Expresscard devices.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Easy To Set Up
- Easy To Use
- Fast
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Sonnet Echo ExpressCard/34 Thunderbolt Adapter:
I bought this to have USB 3.0 capabilities. It worked fine for the first couple of days but when I went to store it away in my desk drawer, I heard a rattle inside the unit. I had the adapter for under a week and used it twice before hearing "the rattle" sliding around inside the adapter casing…I handle ALL of my equipment with tender, love and care. So, I brought it back to B&H and they replaced it. The new unit is working fine with no loose parts!
- Primary use:
- Business
Pros
- Easy To Set Up
Cons
- Not for SXS cards
Best Uses
Comments about Sonnet Echo ExpressCard/34 Thunderbolt Adapter:
Currently, this product does not support SxS cards. We were hoping for a fast transfer of SxS cards using thunderbolt.
- Primary use:
- Business
Pros
- Easy To Set Up
- Easy To Use
- Fast
- Powerful
Cons
Best Uses
- Enhance Experience
Comments about Sonnet Echo ExpressCard/34 Thunderbolt Adapter:
works like a charm on my iMac 27" 2011 !
- Primary use:
- Business
Comments about Sonnet Echo ExpressCard/34 Thunderbolt Adapter:
This think does work to add supported express cards to it. Make sure the express card you are trying to use is supported. I have a sonnet tempo 2 slot esata express card, and I am getting no where near the speed I expected. A little slower than FW800 which is odd. I read some other online reviews where people were getting much higher speeds from esata than I am. Not sure what the deal is on my end.
Pros
- Easy To Set Up
- Easy To Use
- Fast
- Powerful
Cons
Best Uses
- Enhance Experience
Comments about Sonnet Echo ExpressCard/34 Thunderbolt Adapter:
This little converter is an absolute charm. It made connecting one of 2 Thunderbolt ports to my existing Sonnet 500 eSata towers with my existing Sonnet Express-34 card. Instead of having to spend a fortune on purchasing a Thunderbolt compatible drive tower, I was able to use my existing hardware.
Some people complain it's too big. For the size and the data conversion that has to happen, this is perfectly sized. It fits into the cable mass behind the computer.
I did have to download the driver from Sonnet's site to make this adapter and the Express-34 to work correctly on my 2012 iMac. Once that was solved, the drives came up in a few moments.
If you have existing eSata towers, this is the way to go. Also, the unit keeps the port-multiplier aware ability of the Sonnet Express-34 card available, so I can connect 5 SATA drives to a single cable. And the Express-34 card has 2 eSATA connectors, so theoretically, I could hook up to 10 drives.
This is being used on an iMac 27" with 2 Thunderbolt ports. Once port is for this device and the 2nd is for a 2nd monitor with Thunderbolt to DVI adapter also purchased at B&H.
This unit is cheap for what it saved me, it works and I'm very happy with it.
- Primary use:
- Business
Pros
- Easy To Set Up
- Easy To Use
- Fast
- Powerful
Cons
Best Uses
- Expansion for data
- Upgrade
Comments about Sonnet Echo ExpressCard/34 Thunderbolt Adapter:
Great for expansion to give you 2 extra eSata or FireWire 800 ports. Good build quality & so far it seems to be a reliable piece of my toolkit.
- Primary use:
- Business
Pros
- Easy To Set Up
- Easy To Use
- Fast
Cons
- Card latching mechanism
Best Uses
- Adding ports to new MACs
Comments about Sonnet Echo ExpressCard/34 Thunderbolt Adapter:
By already having a nice series of Expresscard/34 adapters, Sonnet made the logical choice of incorporating those products into a simple Expresscard/34 to Thunderbold adapter. This product does what's advertised, but is obviously a pricy way of gaining two firewire ports after buying the Expresscard/34 card and the Apple Thunderbolt cable. The latching mechanism makes me a little nervous, but I've had no issues thus far with it.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Easy To Install
- Fast
- Highly Compatible
- Quiet
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Sonnet Echo ExpressCard/34 Thunderbolt Adapter:
I've got an iMac with 2 thunderbolt ports but no thunderbolt drives, too expensive right now. There's only one firewire 800 port on the iMac and that's not enough. I now have two additional firewire ports by adding the
FW800 express card to the Echo!!
- Primary use:
- Business
Pros
- Easy To Install
- Fast
- Highly Compatible
- Quiet
- Reliable
Cons
- Flimsy
Best Uses
- High-End Multimedia
Comments about Sonnet Echo ExpressCard/34 Thunderbolt Adapter:
Used it to get more FireWire ports on our iMac. You plug in an ExpressCard FireWire extension and you are in business. The click connection is a little flimsy, the card disconnects to easily for my taste. As long as you leave it alone, everything works great though.
Oh and don't forget the buy a separate Thunderbolt cable. This item should have been included.
- Primary use:
- Business
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