Is it worth the effort?

[cameltree]

Hi guys,

I was trying to find people's opinions about using microdrive in D70 and some people say yes and other says no.

While I was browsing the web and came across something interesting. http://www.greghughes.net/rant/PermaLink,guid,e9bdfa3f-da94-4c6e-a2f9-5ff3260040f1.aspx

The MP3 player itself is about $465.00 from http://www.expansys.com.au/product.asp?code=RIO_CARBON. The 5GB microdrive must be more than that consider it's a Seagate ST1.

If I am going this route, then I am risking of voiding warranty on the mp3 player as well as I can't complain if I lose any pictures from the microdrive.

What do you guys think?

[xerubus]

you could safely say good-bye to the warranty of the mp3 player...

have you thought about just purchasing the hitachi 4gb microdrive?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control ... 870&is=REG

$240US - $50MFR with pc-card adaptor

cheers

[gstark]

I have a 2.2GB microdrive type device, and it's painfully slow.

Perfectly suitable for music, but where qick response is required - such as when taking photos, it's reaaly not up to the task.

As to problems that some people have with these devices, they need a bit of extra special handling - by the edges only My guess is that nany of the problems people see occur due their own mishandling of these devices.

[Greg B]

cameltree, it seems like a lot of stuffing about and expense for something that will probably work, but maybe not or there could be negative issues.

Why not just buy a 2 gig card now, then when they come free with the special k in about six months, get another one

By the way, welcome to d70Users. Enjoy. I think I have heard of you before... wait, no I am wrong, that was a toe.

[Dargan]

Term of endearment?

[sirhc55]

Hi Cameltree

Basically the Microdrive is quite old technology and has inherent problems when used with the modern DSLR such as the D70.

As has been mentioned it is painfully slow in both read and write. It also has heads (as per a normal hard disk) that are prone to damage through misuse etc.

The compact flash card is totally solid state and as such is faster, more reliable and has a g shock factor that could not even be applied to a microdrive.

For my 2 cents worth - don’t even bother.

Cheers

Chris

[birddog114]

cameltree
Welcome to the D70 forum,
Microdrive is terribly slow, CF card is mile faster and robust.
Reliable:
CF card survived the drop, not a test but one of my CF card survived after I left in my jean pocket and gone thru the process of washing machine and gas dryer (we use gas dryer at home for drying all clothing)

Microdrive dead after few accidentaly drop on the concrete floor.

[cameltree]

Thanks guys for the advise.

I am looking forward to learn more from all of the gurus here.

I don't want to go through the pain of losing pictures as some of you might have. Finally had a chance to look at a microdrive during the weekend and found out that they are just a smaller hard drive. I know how fragile hard disks since i work in the IT industry. Rather save up now for bigger CF solid state.

[Glen]

Cameltree, you made the right choice for all the above reasons, the cf is a safer choice. Also there was a rash of posts 6 months ago how some controller is now missing from the drives and this doesn't work anymore, so probably too much of a risk now