microdrives vs. compact flash at DVinfo.net

Dylan Couper · July 13th, 2005, 11:33 PM

I've always been a little worried about using microdrives as a storage media compared to good old Compact Flash cards. All those tiny moving parts makes me nervous. Should I be? Or should I go ahead and buy one?

ALso, how about brand names vs. quality? I found some cheap ones by Magicstor, but don't know anything about the name.

Also, does anyone know anything about the CF manufacturer Kingston? Quality/reliability, etc...

Robert Mann Z. · July 14th, 2005, 01:17 AM

compact flash is faster and uses less power, the mechanical part theory seems to make sense, but nobody officialy ever proved it

Rainer Hoffmann · July 14th, 2005, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dylan Couper

Also, does anyone know anything about the CF manufacturer Kingston? Quality/reliability, etc...

Dylan,

I have several 1GB Kingston CF Cards. So far (about 20,000 frames with 2 cameras) I've had no problems at all.

Boyd Ostroff · July 14th, 2005, 06:04 AM

The only experience I can offer is my Garmin StreetPilot 2620 GPS which I've had in my car for a year and a half. It uses a MagicStor 2.5 GB compact flash microdrive to hold a database of the entire US. It's running for long periods of time in a moving car, going down bumpy unpaved roads, getting exposed to extremes of temperature and humidity. Never any problems. I can think of maybe 3 times when I got a data error after hitting a big pothole or whatever. Re-booting the unit solved the problem.

Frankly, this impresses me because I had some concerns about reliability as well. But of course I purchased the 3 year service plan just in case. Having said this however, considering the direction that prices are going with compact flash cards, I would opt for that if possible.

Jacques Mersereau · July 14th, 2005, 06:59 AM

I just had my 1 GB IBM micro drive die. No reason. "It's dead Jim."
Luckily I had already ordered a 2 GB Kingston CF card. $155 via Amazon.
That's almost half what I paid for the microdrive two years ago.

Dylan Couper · July 14th, 2005, 10:49 AM

Ok, you guys convinced me I think. Looks like the CF for me. Too bad because I found some 2.2gb microdrives for about $80us/$100cdn.

July 13th, 2005, 11:33 PM	#1
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	microdrives vs. compact flash I've always been a little worried about using microdrives as a storage media compared to good old Compact Flash cards. All those tiny moving parts makes me nervous. Should I be? Or should I go ahead and buy one? ALso, how about brand names vs. quality? I found some cheap ones by Magicstor, but don't know anything about the name. Also, does anyone know anything about the CF manufacturer Kingston? Quality/reliability, etc... __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

July 14th, 2005, 06:59 AM	#5
Jacques Mersereau Trustee Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 1,334	I just had my 1 GB IBM micro drive die. No reason. "It's dead Jim." Luckily I had already ordered a 2 GB Kingston CF card. $155 via Amazon. That's almost half what I paid for the microdrive two years ago. __________________ Jacques Mersereau University of Michigan-Video Studio Manager

July 14th, 2005, 10:49 AM	#6
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	Ok, you guys convinced me I think. Looks like the CF for me. Too bad because I found some 2.2gb microdrives for about $80us/$100cdn. __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

July 14th, 2005, 01:17 AM	#2
Robert Mann Z. Skyonic New York Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NYC Posts: 614	compact flash is faster and uses less power, the mechanical part theory seems to make sense, but nobody officialy ever proved it

July 14th, 2005, 06:04 AM	#4
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,787	The only experience I can offer is my Garmin StreetPilot 2620 GPS which I've had in my car for a year and a half. It uses a MagicStor 2.5 GB compact flash microdrive to hold a database of the entire US. It's running for long periods of time in a moving car, going down bumpy unpaved roads, getting exposed to extremes of temperature and humidity. Never any problems. I can think of maybe 3 times when I got a data error after hitting a big pothole or whatever. Re-booting the unit solved the problem. Frankly, this impresses me because I had some concerns about reliability as well. But of course I purchased the 3 year service plan just in case. Having said this however, considering the direction that prices are going with compact flash cards, I would opt for that if possible.