Reviews for SCM SCR3500 Smart Card Reader

I bought the CAC reader and couldn't get it to work with the Oberthur brand ID card. I went this morning and got a new CAC, the GEMAL TO TOPDL GX4 and it works fine. So, there's obviously a difference in the type of CAC that you receive. I like it now that it works.

I don't know why Apple would sell something that their latest OS does not support. Even after spending the additional $25 to get the driver suite from an outside company, scbsolutions, it still does not work.

I don't understand what Apple's deal is here. Something like this is obviously very important to the people who use it. I cannot work from my computer.

I use this to access a LOT of military websites for work and personal use. In conjunction with the PKard software offered via sites like cac.com or AKO, this reader is probably the best one I've used. I just switched from PC to MAC, and can't get enough of the user friendly apps and hardware like this reader that MAC users are able to get their hands on. This reader will easily fit into any pocket on a standard notebook case. The only warning that I can come up with is that when not in use and folded, the reader is really small so can be lost easily. Otherwise - great purchase!

If you have the card reader and upgrade to mountain Lion, be prepared for stop work issues. If you are buying it for the first time, I recommend researching for a solution before you buy this hardware. It worked Awesomely in Lion, but ever since the upgrade, I cannot even get the system to see the card reader.

Depending on where you plug it in, it blocks the other USB port and/or mini DVI port. The question is, is it worth buying then losing more ports? What if you need to use 1 usb port with this smart card reader? I'm surprised I'm the first one to say this in all the "stellar" reviews.

I bought this so I could go to the Air Force Portal with my '11 MBP. Possibly one of the best purchases I have made for my MBP. Didn't realize OSX LION didn't support it though. The package had a troubleshooting link to go to. Downloaded one program and BOOM. Works like a CHAMP!! Now, I don't have to go to work to check my emails while on leave, and can now check it while I'm TDY away from an AF computer. AWESOME product!!

I got one of these because I lost my other one.. this one is compact, about the size of a thumb drive, no cables, and works like any other one on the market! When coupled with Pkard, any DoD-function site runs seamlessly in Safari!

I have been looking for as CAC reader for a couple of years now and couldn't find any that the local net NAZIs would recommend as they "all had issues" of one form or another, so after reading about this one in the other comments i decided to try it.
I plugged it into my MBP running Snow Leopard, stuck in my CAC, went to the AFPORTAL and it after selecting my email certificate was in just as though i was at my bench. No weird stuff, no errors, no invalid anything! I even went over and accessed my pay, TAX data, EVALS,,, everything i need to do on a secure server but don't normally have time while at work is now available without having production pressures looming in the background. This little device is invaluable and at $30 an absolute steal... I read one review stating it did have an issue with the older Oberon cards and while i did have one of them previously, my current one is not. That said this is one of those little "toys" that is small enough and cheap enough that i may just get a second one as a backup and keep it in the car because now that i see how well it works i don't think i want to go without it. 3 words "JUST DO IT".

Worked right out of the box. Works with later editions of Lion to 10.6.8 Snow Leopard. Safari and Opera browsers limits accessing certain government sites - a problem easily circumvented by either adding the required java updates or switching to google Chrome(tm). Apple store has the lowest total price as of 12/11. This is compact enough to lose, and it is not child-proof. Wish it was $10 more and made of some tougher material. It would be 5 star in that case. Highly recommend this if you are operating Lion to Leopard, it works, and is cheaper and faster (shipped in two days to East Coast) then trying various unreliable third party solutions.