Red Station MiniMag 3.1 + Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB C) to Thunderbolt 2 Compatibility

[edward vijayavargiya]

Hi RedUsers,

I wanted to know if anyone has tried a combination of the new USB 3.1 MiniMag reader to convert to Thunderbolt 2 via Apple's new dongle. The Spec says the dongle is Bi Directional, but I don't know how cross compatible USB C (3.1) is with Thunderbolt 3 protocol.

The Chain would be

3.1 MiniMag Reader > USB C/TB3 to TB2 Dongle > TB2 Cable > MacBook Pro

http://www.apple.com/uk/shop/product/MMEL2ZM/A/thunderbolt-3-usb-c-to-thunderbolt-2-adapter?fnode=8b
http://www.red.com/store/products/red-station-mini-mag-usb-3/750-0084

Thanks

Ed

 

[Dan Kanes]

Haven't tried yet, but in theory a person could just use a USB C to USB A cable to go into their USB 3.0 port... transfer speeds should be similar... I know that might not be ideal if you want to use your USB ports for other things - a thunderbolt to USB 3.0 or 3.1 dock would likely perform similarly. (If this is about max performance)... I could try when my USB c card reader arrives.

 

[Alex_M]

I do have the new reader and it comes with a usb3 and USB 3.1 (c type) cable. Keep in mind that while USB-c can be thunderbolt (as it is on the new MacBook Pro) it does not have to be. The new USB 3.1 minimag reader is USB 3.1 class 2, which is backward compatible with usb3.0 and maxes out at 10gbps. You cannot use a thunderbolt 3 to 2 adapter to get the reader to hookup on your older thunderbolt 2 machines. What you need would be a thunderbolt 2 to usb3.1 adapter or hub, which I believe does not exist.

 

[Dan Kanes]

These two definitely exist (Yes, they are USB 3.0, as you said, backwards compatible, probably top out at 5gbps or less)

http://amzn.to/2eTANWD

http://amzn.to/2ePdgmk

 

[Alex_M]

Absolutely, but not USB 3.1 class 2. No need for an adapter as the reader comes with a usb3.0 cable, so no performance gain there. To take advantage of USB 3.1 class 2, we would need a thunderbolt 2 adapter that supports this, which right now seems not to exist

These two definitely exist (Yes, they are USB 3.0, as you said, backwards compatible, probably top out at 5gbps or less)

http://amzn.to/2eTANWD

http://amzn.to/2ePdgmk

 

[edward vijayavargiya]

It was more about freeing up my USB ports on my macbook, Thanks for the input, guys