Mini MicroDrive Review

[HackeR_54]

Ok, I have now had my 4 GB Hitachi a few days and decided to write this mini review.

Most people say that the MD drains the battery, in fact I dont agree at all. Today I have done these things with my MD:

• Listened to music 1 hour
• 2 Simpsons episodes (43 min)
• 1 Macgyver episode (45 min)

The battery is only down to 30%! Thats so much better than with my SD card. I am using the standard 1100mAH battery.

The train was cancelled this morning, I had to wait 15 min extra, that means I listened to music 1 hour (Instead of 45 minutes) and the battery was only down to ~83%, when I use my SD flashcard it gets down to 76-78% after around 40-45 minutes. YES I have all the settings the same!


SPEED? The speed of the MD seems alittle bit slower than my normal SD card (Just a regular normal speed card). But on the other hand its a mini harddrive! Can you imagine how small the parts must be in it? Its amazing how they manage to make it work

I have heard one person here said that you can hear the MD spin, I had to put my ear next to it and couldnt almost hear it at all. NO! I am not an old "man" with bad hearing, Im only 17



Conclusion

If you need the extra storage capacity go for it. The MD is much cheaper than flashcards. Just make sure you dont drop it.

[pocketpower]

Hey cool! Thanks! You may have read my thread asking about installing everything to the MD and my concerns. Nice to hear things are well with you so far.

Just curious if you are watching 640 video and if so what's the bitrate, file size, format, etc.

Thanks!

PS Angus rules!!!

[HackeR_54]

I am using PocketDivXEncoder to encode my movies etc

Im running "PC" resolution which is 512x something
the bitrate depends, its normally around 300 kbps.

Its running smoooth

[ShortyMac]

My 6 GB Hitatchi drive simply rocks!! I have the complete maps for iguidance and OCN5 loaded on it, 2 gigs of music and a few videos as well. I have iguidance running along with mortplayer playing my favorite music at the same time. Works great!!

[jledesma]

I also have a 6GB Hitachi MD. I use it mostly on my Digital camera. I've dropped it once (without protective case, directly to a concrete floor) and it's still working P E R F E C T L Y!

[alpha9020]

Thanks, this helps me decide a bit on whether to get one or not.

[saerdahl]

Where did you get your microdrive? no issues with x50v compatability? i'm stuck with a 2.2g magicstor md that isn't compatable.

[blinkin2000]

I love my 6gb hitachi, the only thing that sucks is when you transfter over 6 seasons of southpark (~80mb each episode, ~16 shows/season and only about 5 seasons fit) and takes more than a couple of minutes to fill up the microdrive. Something you shouldnt do just as you are about to leave for work.

Southpark episodes are awesome for meetings.. eeh.. i mean break times

[jledesma]

Where did you get your microdrive? no issues with x50v compatability? i'm stuck with a 2.2g magicstor md that isn't compatable.

I got mine with my brother. He made a trip to Portland and found me a 6gb hitachi MD for just $180 buckaroos... Guess that pilot's club really paid off!!

[axzilla]

I also have a 6GB Hitachi MD. I use it mostly on my Digital camera. I've dropped it once (without protective case, directly to a concrete floor) and it's still working P E R F E C T L Y!

the failure happens if you drop a md while it is spinning full speed ie: you drop your ax while its accessing the md

[jledesma]

the failure happens if you drop a md while it is spinning full speed ie: you drop your ax while its accessing the md

Nice to know. Still... If I dropped my axim (or my Digicam) I'd be more worried about it than about the MD

[axzilla]

I have dropped my x5 a few times hard enough to make the cf card pop out while it was reading the card but it always survived with no problems but that was cf not md and my ax is much tougher than a md

[saerdahl]

REALLY!?! I live in Portland (Vancouver, WA). Do you know where he found it?

I got mine with my brother. He made a trip to Portland and found me a 6gb hitachi MD for just $180 buckaroos... Guess that pilot's club really paid off!!

[jledesma]

In a store that gives discounts to all Star Alliance's pilots. I'll ask him as soon as he gets back.

[Badgerdog]

http://www.ZipZoomFly.com always has good deals on everything plus free shipping. The 6GB is $209 and right now there is a $40 rebate making the total $169.

On the down side, they are out of stock on the 6GB but they have the others.