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.
| Signal Voltage | 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 PowerReviewsPros
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Reviewed by 9 customers
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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!
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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.
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Comments about Sonnet Echo ExpressCard/34 Thunderbolt Adapter:
works like a charm on my iMac 27" 2011 !
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!!
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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.
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