Seagate 4.0 GB CompactFlash Photo Hard Drive - First Impressions

[yanyewkay]

Some time ago, I left 2 cf card in the car, one 256MB Kingston Normal CF and the other is the 340MB MD, Well sad to say for some reason the 256MB Kingston CF card decided to retire! While the MD survived!

Anyone has similar experience that solid state CF retire after some heat treatment? :think:

Interesting experience...

 

[TMC]

Lock the thread. This has generated more than enough heat.

 

[Newman]

Some time ago, I left 2 cf card in the car, one 256MB Kingston Normal CF and the other is the 340MB MD, Well sad to say for some reason the 256MB Kingston CF card decided to retire! While the MD survived!

Anyone has similar experience that solid state CF retire after some heat treatment? :think:

If you look at the specifications for a product, there is usually an operating temperature range. Sometimes devices won't function if it's subjected to very low temperatures or it may be damaged when subjected to high temperatures. Since a MD generates a lot more heat than a CF when it is operating, I would think it is manufactured to withstand more heat whereas a CF would not be required to do so. Therefore it is not surprising that your CF card went to tech heaven under the scorching heat in your car.

 

[alucard]

I'm puzzled. when everyone talks about MD "failure". What kind of "failure" are we talking about? Could we be more specific and narrow down to some form of failure instead of a broad spectrum of 'failures'.

It is the failure of the HDD to respond. As in the case of 2.5" or 3.5" HDDs, most of the failure is due to the head (the moving part) not being able to respond. But, in MD's, the time to failure will be rated higher, since the estimate that it's usage is higher. It all depends on build quality, materials used, etc...

The industry itself is moving towards a flash based solution, because they see that the memory is more stable as compared to HDD.

 

[alucard]

ok. lets see. Who has a broken Microdrive and lost his/her data please raise his/her voice here.

Anyone? We need statistics to determine something here.

primary rule: Statistics always lie.

And for this kind of a statistic, you need photographers who use the disk everyday, under varying conditions, etc. Try doing the survey for a world wide audience, then you might get a better result.

 

[BirdRobin]

what happens if you drop the thing arhhhggggg! :sticktong

 

[roygoh]

To hifisiao, unseen and Deadpoet,

Please cool off for a while, walk away, have kopi, and then visit other threads where you are not involved in an argument.

There are some good discussions here, so please do not continue your argument and force the thread to be closed.

Thanks!

- Roy

 

[syl]

I'm about to buy MD's and therefore am very interested in this thread. Are there any stats about the MD's MTBF and those for CF cards? This can be the final determinant for me to make up my mind whether to get the MDc or not. Help please. Thanks.

 

[roygoh]

By the way, to hifisiao, you have used abusive language and name calling which is against the CS terms of use. Please read and follow the CS terms of use to help maintain a harmonious environment for everyone.

 

[Wai]

I'm about to buy MD's and therefore am very interested in this thread. Are there any stats about the MD's MTBF and those for CF cards? This can be the final determinant for me to make up my mind whether to get the MDc or not. Help please. Thanks.

go google

MD = 30000 hours = 3.4 years
CF = 1000000 hours = 114 years

Chance of having failed MD is 33.3x higher than CF :think: :think:

IMO, just get CF for the peace of mind, most CF card got lifetime warranty while microdrive only 1 year...few years down the road, at least u still can get your CF card replaced (make sure u get a reputable brand) while the microdrive will become a paperweight (probably too light to be paperweight)

Other spec to consider

Shock Tolerance : 1000Gs Operating
Vibration Tolerance : 15Gs
Endurance: 300000 cycles per logical sector

 

[Isaiahfortythirtyone]

By the way, to hifisiao, you have used abusive language and name calling which is against the CS terms of use. Please read and follow the CS terms of use to help maintain a harmonious environment for everyone.

:thumbsup:

 

[ckbekeong]

go google

MD = 30000 hours = 3.4 years
CF = 1000000 hours = 114 years

Chance of having failed MD is 33.3x higher than CF :think: :think:

IMO, just get CF for the peace of mind

Paiseh... I don't know whether i am right but the figures is based on usage hours right? If so, then 3.4 years is a very long time.

Just like i heard the lifespan of a camera shutter is in the range of 100,000... I have used my cam for one year and the shutter count is only 6500 so if i would to divide 100,000 by 6500, it would roughly translate to 15 years!

I think all of us can agree that when it comes to moving parts, it has higher chance of failure compare to products with no moving parts. So for people who depend on photography for a living, the choice is clear. But when it come to value for money, then it is a different ball game.

As long as you take care MD and don't let it drop from a certain height, i don't see why it can't last for years...

 

[iceprojeckt]

MD = 30000 hours = 3.4 years
CF = 1000000 hours = 114 years

so let say if i use only around 100 hours per month x 12 = 1200 hours / year

MD : 30000/1200 = can last for 25 years
CF : 1000000/1200 = 833.333 years..

for me both are same interm of life time.. new technology invented every year.. i think we never use the same technology for 20 years right? i wonder who still using 100MB Harddisk drive nowadays?
so no effect for me interm of life time...

 

[trlnlty]

just adding my 2 cents..

read the first and last page of this thread.

I think its worth the couple of bucks spent of a solid state memory to have a peace of mind that your memory will most probably never fail.

after all, you're spending thousands of dollars on a camera. Not to mention lenses as well.

Its like buying a ferrari and buying the cheapest tyres u can find, using the cheapest gas and oil.

 

[yanyewkay]

Lock the thread. This has generated more than enough heat.

agreed. :thumbsup:

Verdict:
BUY CF This pleases everyone. Introduction of MDs were blasphemous and have incited lots of undue distress amongst CS members.

I'm still sticking to my cheapskate ways of using a 4GB at a price you can only imagine. I will post a new thread the day when it fails me.

Peace. May the force be with you. :angel: