Hate the CF Card Gap?

IronMonkeyGF · 03-10-03, 12:10 AM

I didn't like the gap in between my type I CF card and the back of the axim, so I found a site with a suggestion to alter the CF cover that originally came in the axim. I think it's good to keep out dust (is it me, or does the new Sena case draw a lot of dust?) and it looks much neater. I would post a link, but I don't remember where I found it. Anyway, it involves filing down the original slot cover using your favorite high speed rotary tool. The pictures pretty much explain themselves, so here is a link to a couple:

Axim CF Slot Mod Pictures

Hope this helps. I can paste more pictures later if anyone wants, but I better get to bed soon...early class tomorrow.

IronMonkeyGF · 03-10-03, 04:08 PM

I forgot to mention, though this is apparent if you actually start this project is that the cover will no longer stay in place without a CF card. I always keep mine in with songs and stuff, so I didn't care about that.

sbcnjc · 03-11-03, 02:53 PM

I too have wondered about the gap. I can see where this would collect lint. Is DELL going to make a cover to insert into this gap to solve this problem? I think I will Email the Dell Dude and bring this up.

opus1971 · 03-13-03, 11:30 AM

Just saw your post and had to look. So far I have only had my wi-fi card in the slot. I grabbed a chip from my camera and threw it in. Sure enough, what a strange thing :crooked: Sure hope dell makes a block for it. I can't cut down the orig block because I use it all the time. LOL, oh well.

mdshd · 03-15-03, 02:22 AM

probably best to always keep a cf in the slot...sue one of those lw memories you get with a digital camera as a dust screen

i would not leave the slot exposed

peterbright · 03-16-03, 02:04 PM

Dell should definately produce a cover for those of us who keep a Type I CF card in most of the time.

maarten · 03-17-03, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mdshd
probably best to always keep a cf in the slot...sue one of those lw memories you get with a digital camera as a dust screen

i would not leave the slot exposed

a SD or CF cards uses battery.. I carry the cover around and stuick it in whenever I don't need the Cf card for a period of time.

nomar05 · 03-17-03, 07:54 PM

I'm in the market for a COMPACT FLASH card (maybe 512MB), but I'm concerned about the gap problem with Type I cards.

Can anyone speak to how much gap, if any, exists with Type II cards?

Per the URL below, Type I and Type II are similarly priced...

http://www.buy.com/retail/searchresu...+Card&dclksa=1

Any advantage in buying a Type I card over a Type II card?

According to the CompactFlash Association, the Microdrive is a CF Type II card.

"CompactFlash provides the lowest cost flash storage solution for capacities of 16MB and above. With the built-in controller, a wide variety of low cost flash technologies can be used. The built-in controller lowers costs further by reducing costs in the host device and allowing defective flash chip cells to be mapped out, thus increasing flash chip yields. Microdrives provide the lowest cost data storage solution for capacities of 340MB and above. "

rrf · 03-22-03, 12:27 AM

I tried a Microdrive 340 on the Axim. The gap is significantly less than with a CF I card. The only issue I have with the Microdrive is the increased battery draw when in use (that's true in any application using the Microdrive -- MP3 player, digital camera, etc).

Mike C · 03-22-03, 09:01 AM

I just got a CF-II 512mb card, and it fills the slot pretty well.
It was about $90 shipped after rebait.

nomar05 · 03-22-03, 09:42 AM

Maybe I misunderstood....

I was thinking that all CF Type II cards use a Microdrive, hence the extra thickness. But I no longer think that is the case. Here is some more info I found on Microdrives after a google search. Good point on power consumption. My guess is that prices on high capacity CF cards have dropped to the point where Microdrives are no longer cost competitive.

I'm thinking the card must clearly be labeled Microdrive if that is the technology it uses. Just because it is a CF Type II card, it does not mean it is a Microdrive. Is that right?

If that is the case, I think I'll go with a CF Type II card so I won't have a big gap.

Mike C · 03-22-03, 09:50 AM

Yes, that 512 type 2 is not a micro-drive.