CFTek Trimmer

Smart CFexpress Type B Card Reader

Company introduction

CFTek focuses on the development and production of CFexpress related devices based on its extensive experience and accumulated technology in the field.
We are going to move forward with technology research and development that takes into account superior product quality, optimal user experience, and sustainability for the future.
As a leader in CFexpress related technology, customer satisfaction is our top priority and seek continuous and sustainable innovation.

HOW TO USE?

Very Easy-to-Use operation method

FEATURES

  • Speed Up CFexpress Card
    A Feature that restores the slowed write speed from prolonged use to the same state as when it was first purchased
  • Display the remaining lifespan of CFexpress
  • Display USB speed for connected Device
  • Display PCle speed for connected CFexpress card
  • Display CFexpress Card(NVMe) Information
  • Monitor the temperature of CFexpress Card
  • CFexpress Card Firmware Update Ready
  • USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 20Gbps
  • USB Type-C, Type-A cable included
  • Patented product

Note

Test results by USB 3.2 Gen2x2(20Gbps)

  • The memory card supported by this reader is CFexpress Type B memory. XQD memory card is not available.
  • The reader supports,
    USB 2.0(480Mbps)
    USB 3.0(5Gbps)
    USB 3.1 Gen1(5Gbps)
    USB 3.2 Gen2x1(10Gbps)
    USB 3.2 Gen2x2(20Gbps)

Inserting Memory Card

When you insert the CFexpress Type B memory card into the reader, displayed the lifespan of the memory card. The number flashes when the remaining lifespan is less than 50%. In this case, it is safe to prepare a secondary memory card when you have an important shotting.

 

<Additional Explanation>
CFexpress memory uses TLC Flash memory, which has a lifespan of approximately 1,000 total writes. This is a long enough life for users who only take pictures, but it is not nearly enough time to shoot a video. Therefore, the remaining lifespan mark function is a very important function to prevent shooting accidents in advance.

Once the button is one clicked, the functions below are displayed sequentially.

Display the remaining lifespan of memory card

Display memory card information

Display memory card capacity, Model name, Firmware version, NVMe version, maximum usage temperature

<Additional Explanation>
CFexpress memory is produced to the NVMe specification. You can check more details memory card information from NVMe information. For example, if there is a difference in performance when using the same memory card, you can check what is the difference from the NVMe information.

Display whether the CFexpress card supports Initialization Function

Display whether the CFexpress card supports Initialize(Full Initialization), Low Format Function

Display USB connection speed

Display USB speed for connected the reader

<Additional Explanation>
Have you ever thought that the USB device you are using is a little slow?
USB supports various speeds from version 2.0, 3.0 to 3.1 Gen1, 3.2 Gen2x1, 3.2 Gen2x2. So data transfer rates vary up to 41 times depending on which USB port on your PC you plug in. (480Mbps for USB 2.0 and 20Gbps for USB 3.2 Gen2x2).
The CFTek Trimmer reader is very convenient because you can check the USB speed to which the reader is connected.

Display PCIe speed for connected memory card

This function works with Gen1, Gen2, and Gen3 according to the USB speed.

<Additional Explanation>
CFexpress Type B memory card uses PCIe Gen3 x 2 lane. If “x1” is displayed, the memory card will be used at half the speed of normal. You can check “Bad state” of memory card by this function.

Display Firmware version of the reader

Press the button 3 times in a row, the memory card initialization function is activated. Once you click the button, you can select the Initialization function and the Low Format function.

<Preceding Explanation>

All flash memories erase the sector before writing data. Erase time is very slow in units of 4~7mSec. All flash memories also use “Wear Leveling” technology to protect the lifespan of flash cells. This Wear Leveling technology records data evenly across all blocks of a flash chip. As the results, CFexpress memory manages separately the address where the actual data should be placed. This is called a “Mapping Table” in the industry. So, as you use the disk for a long time, this Mapping Table becomes full, slowing you down in finding where you really need to record your data. If you are shooting in this state, it may stutter when shooting continuously or the shooting may stop for no reason. So, the function to recover to the original speed through memory card initialization is very important. 

Factory Reset Function

This function increases write speed as if you had purchased a new product by deleting all area data on the memory card.

This function may not be supported depending on the memory card firmware. In this case, this screen will be displayed.

Press the button for more than 3 seconds to proceed with initialization.

Low Format function

This function increases write speed by deleting mapping table data on the memory card.

 This function performs the same function as the Low Format function built into the camera.

 Press the button for more 3 seconds to proceed with initialization.

After using the Initialization function, the memory card must be formatted with the quick format function built into the camera before being used. The Low Format function built into the camera does not need to be used.

To exit the Initialization function menu, click the button 3 times or wait at least 10 seconds. Use this feature to reduce memory card lifespan by 0.001 to 0.1%, so just use it when memory card speeds are significantly slower.

<Additional Explanation>

Press the button 7 times in a row, the memory card temperature monitoring function is activated.

<Additional Explanation>
CFexpress memory card generates a lot of heat as they operate at high speeds. Severe heat generation reduces write speed to protect flash chips. In this case, the storage speed may be slow and the shotting may be interrupted. This function is useful for professionals to help you understand the temperature characteristics of CFexpress memory card.

Firmware update of CFexpress Type B memory card is possible according to NVMe specification. In this case, it needs to Firmware image file.

CFTek Trimmer Operation Video

Download

FAQs for CFTek products.

FAQ

If you get an error window when you connect an empty reader.

When you connect the reader without inserting a memory card, an error window like the one below appears.

This is because Windows’ Autorun feature is enabled.

Autorun is recommended to be turned off due to security issues such as viruses, but this is a symptom of it being turned on.

Please disable Windows’ Autorun feature as shown below.

Press “Windows key +i” .

Or please click the setting icon.

Search for Autorun in the Windows search bar.

Please select “Bluetooth and devices” -> “Autorun” as above.

Set ‘Use Autorun for all media and devices’ to ‘Off’ as above.

If you are using Windows 7 or Windows 8, ‘Start’ -> ‘Control Panel’ -> ‘Hardware and Sound’ -> ‘Autorun’ -> ‘Autorun’, and check the box for

and uncheck the box for “Use Autorun for all media and devices”