CF (Type I) vs. Microdrive (Type II)

[ShawnC]

With the recent price drop of CF cards, I was considering returning my recently purchased 1G microdrive. I had always assumed that the primary advantage of the MD was the cost. But that the CF caused less battery drain and would last longer because of the solid state circuitry (I think that means no moving parts).

I was wondering if anyone would share their thoughts on the advantages vs disadvantages of the two types of cards.

Thanx in advance.

I just returned my Microdrive to Comp USA, they actually accepted it back after 18 days, less the 15% restocking fee of course. I paid $350 for it, now I can get one at memorysuppliers .com for $218, so if I want one in the future, I will still be ahead about $80. Most of my use of the Microdrive was in my camera, so I did not handle it very much, they are fradgle (so I am told) not good if you have butterfingers. I loved the drive, it wrote very fast, faster than the CF cards I was using (128MB PNY), and the technology is just amazing. I didn’t notice a big difference in battery drain, but this was a camera. Hitachi bought out IBM’s Microdrive business and they are supposed to be coming out with a 4GB Microdrive later this year.

One of the main reasons that I returned it was the price drop, the other reason is because Dell decided not to include an eject button for type 2 cards like the Microdrive, you have to use the tiny little groove (and it is almost non existent) in the edge of the Microdrive, this method of removal is not recommended by the manufacturer, it can be done, but my guess is that it will put stress on the frame of the Microdrive and cause failure sometime in the future, maybe, depending how often you remove the drive. I practiced removing the Microdrive from my camera (my Axim is still 2 weeks from delivery) using the groove, it was very difficult.

If I where you I would wait a while, prices may drop even further, and the next model of the Axim may have an eject button, or maybe Hitachi will put a tab on the drive for easier removal.

Mike

[mialutz]

The only advantage microdrives held over CF cards was the price per MB...

They no longer hold that advantage. Period. End of story.

I am a pro digital photographer and I spend alot of time on digital photo message boards. Many people there are saying the same thing you just did. They can sell a used microdrive for $225-250 on ebay and buy a 1 gig CF card. There have been story after story of a microdrive falling from 3-4ft and dying with someones wedding photos on it. On the other hand there have been posts where people have litterally washed and dried their CF card and it came out fine.

Remember drive means little moving parts...kinda defeats the purpose of using a solid state device like the axim doesn't it? :D

[mialutz]

Oh and dell is selling 1gig Sandisk cards for $202 how can you beat that? Oh and free shipping too.....