Memory-Card Reviews

I like this because it reads the SD cards in my digital camera, but I am not using for a portable thumb drive like I thought I would.

The main reason it hasn't turned out to be a device I use everyday is because the cap keeps falling off. I have to keep it in its own pocket in my bag because otherwise the cap gets lost. Also, I found it popped open once (exposing my SD card) which really concerned me. The other reason I don't use it all the time is that it's so big, I have to connect it to a short USB extension cable to fit it into a USB port alongside other devices. (But a short USB cable was included -- very nice.)

Rather than being indispensible, this device turned out to just be my backup card reader. Usually I just use my SimpleTech Mini FlashLink for a card reader, which is a sturdier and simpler card reader (even though it's not USB 2.0.)

This product works great. I stuck an old 8mb Memory Stick into it and it worked right away. My Windows XP laptop recognized it within seconds, and it also worked on another XP machine I tried it on. I gave it for stars because:

PROS:
*It works great at what it's supposed to do.
*Its about 3 times faster than a Zip disk (250MB USB).
*As soon as I get more money, I can easily upgrade its storage capacity, which is impossible with most USB Thumb drives.

CONS:
*It is made of relatively flimsy plastic, and the cover for the memory stick is always coming out when you try to unplug it.
*It is about twice the size of my Lexar Media 256MB Jump drive, because it has to have space for the memory that you put in. This large size can be a problem if there are things plugged in surrounding ports, but a cable is included that solves this problem.

All in all, this device is a good solution for somebody who wants a thumb drive, but cannot afford the expensive, high capacity ones. You can use a memory stick/card from an old digital camera, and purchase more memory at a later date.

Well almost. Can't use Smart Card or Compact Flash with it. O.K. so the plastic feels flimsy at first, but I've had mine for 9 months now and it goes from bag to pocket and sometimes sitting on it....man I tell ya it's tough! The cap is always coming off in my bag... but no harm and no foul. I like the idea of using my extra camera and MP3 memory for computer files. And, I like the thought of maximizing the memory use (just an excuse to have nearly unlimited camera memory for outings). My notebook has a Secure digital slot so I often don't need the Jumpdrive Trio for the notebook but take the same memory card to the desktop and this thing is a jewel. Bag the camera USB cable! I use my Jumpdrive Trio. Want to share that/those digital photo(s) with a friend and presto Jumpdrive Trio to the rescue. I have had to carry a USB cable when I know I'm going to use it on older desktop PC's with those USB ports that are wedged between the other ports. Granted that is a hassle, but less hassle than pulling the case out to find the USB port though :-O and the cable is easily carried in the/a satchel.

And....What a price!

As others state here, it is very easy to use! It's the cheapest and simplist solution to solve the lacking of memory issue. Howeve, be careful when you move your data files to the flash card. In my case, half of my applications will still function properly after the data files being moved to the flash card. The other half either crash or the application can't find the data files any more. So, you have to test each of your applications after the move. Fortunately, if it doesn't work, you can always move them back to HS memory.

If you own any Visor from the Visor family model-line and need extra RAM, this is for you.

Pros:
--easy and intuitive to use
--should be all the extra memory you'll need in one package
--I got it for only thirty two dollars (big factor for me)
--no major problems encountered so far

cons:
--certain applications or parts of an application won't work correctly or at all if its only on the module and not internal memory (however, It'll still store them)
--the above usually results in fatal errors and will require soft resetting and/or pulling out the module (but NOT permanently, just long enough to restore files back to the handheld) to remedy it
--MAY put a small drain on your battery life
--usually won't work in low battery situations (due to safety reasons to when transferring your data)

This is a good alternative to upgrading and shelling out unnecessary money on a new PDA that may not have enough enhancements/improvements to justify another few hundred bucks. Is memory shortage about your only issue? Then you're set. But before you do buy this memory module, here are some things that you should consider:

If you're buying this and some 8MB PDA as opposed to buying a PDA that has 16+MB of internal memory, u may want to reconsider. Typically the former will be the same price as the latter, if not more.

Certain applications won't be able to run directly off the module. If you have something on both, your Visor will automatically access the one on the PDA's internal memory. Otherwise, it'll try to run it right off the module. Problems arise when the application you're using (or parts of the application, such as database files) requires modifying data, and the module doesn't let you do this directly, as the process of updating stuff on the module is really just deleting the old stuff and replacing it with a newer version of it. This means you'll still need to keep certain stuff on internal memory. You'll also need to figure out which stuff will "blow up" if you don't do this and which won't if you want to store as much as possible on the module (The documentation that it comes with gives you some recommended guidelines, but I've discovered that some of them can be broken without any fatal errors when running the app).

There's also other memory formats available for the Visor, such as flash memory and compact flash. In a nutshell, get the Springboard format if:
--you won't need more than 16MB or memory (or any large amounts of memory)
--don't need the compatibility with other media devices such as MP3 players or digital cameras.
--Just want something that'll work, without any headache from worrying about limitations from the other formats...If your using this to backup info then this is very good at backing up specific items or group of items. If you want to back up your ENTIRE handheld, get an appropriate backup module. It's faster and only requires 1 tap on your screen

Oh, and finally, This Hagiwara Springboard module also has the same type of functionality as the one made by Handspring, so there shouldn't be any reason to shell out more money for the latter when Hagiwara's module is usually offer at a cheaper price

It couldn't be easier to use. I opened my package from Amazon, inserted the 16MB Springboard Module, and voilà, I have more than double the memory. The file mover is simple to understand, and it's easy to move both applications and data to and from the module. I've had no problems with reliability, and the only drain on battery life has resulted from increased usage since I have I have a lot more applications and games.

Owners of 2MB Visors need to be forewarned, however, that individual data files and applications are still limited by that 2MB barrier since they are first installed onto the Visor's internal memory and then moved to the module. Chances are this won't be a problem for you.

This is a VERY user friendly way to transfer your digital pics to your PC. All you have to do is install the drivers, then put your SmartMedia 'into' the Flashpath Adapter and open your 'A' drive. Simple huh? Highly recommended for those who are not computer savy and don't want to waste your digital camera batteries.

I had very good success using this product until I upgraded my PC to Windows XP. I now can not get drive A: to recognize that the FlashPath disk is inserted into drive A: What do I need to do to use the FlashPath Disk and continue to load my pictures from my camera to my PC?

Please contact me at ...

Thanks,

Bill

Instead of taking up more space in my PC with a PCI card and the hassles of installing it, I decided to opt for the Delkin FlashPath SmartDisk smart card reader. Perfect!

It's much faster than plugging my camera into a board on my PC. If I'm on the road at a relative's house and need to unload my Smart card then I just load up the software (it takes seconds to install, then a reboot) and I'm ready to go to email my pics home.

I'm glad I discovered this alternative means of getting my digital camera pics to my PC. Thanks Amazon for selling this item!

I thought this would be the usual "hassle" but not at all. If you have XP and a USB port, there are no drivers required. This is the very first device I have found that is truly "Plug and Play". I was downloading my pics from my memory stick 45 seconds after unpacking the device. Great deal.

I just got a 128 MB Stick and the Memory Stick Reader (both from Lexar) for my Sony Digital Camera. Both packages were almost impossible to open, but that's OK. I've heard some complaints about Windows XP driver-compatibility, but I didn't have any problem at all. You can't beat the prices in comparison with Sony products.

I opened the package and plugged the reader into my USB port, stuck the stick in, which in this case is a sony stick from a cybershot and whoop there it is! The new device showed up and I was immediately able to access the files. I like that ALOT!

This Kingston DDR-2700 ram is the best all around value out there. I have baught two sticks of the 512 in the past and am about to purchase a third! Whether this will be your first stick or your third,this Kingston ram is a great value.Kingston is the most compatable with other brands of ram,if you decide to buy one of those bargain of the week sticks you see so often,and don't because you're not sure if it will work with your existing ram.Now you can! Kingston adds a definate kick to a machine that has been starving for more ram,and improves noticeably the load and seek times on machines that already have a good supply of memory.The only downside to this Kingston ram,is that it does not seem to overclock well.You can do it,but it's reliability drops to about 45%.If you like to O.C. your rambus you shouldn't push it above a 370 front bus speed. Besides that this is a wise investment.

i'm running on dell 4550 and this works great. compatability is not a major issue.

-if your computer is extremely picky about RAM, this is NOT NOT NOT the way to go. You may need to use something like the more expensive HyperX

I bought this memory to give fresh air to my computer. Personally , I never thought that will improve performance to levels that it did!, near 15-20%, My old memory was generic and the change was very notorios.
I also tested others brands but with no good results.
It was a simple solution to upgrade, but watch out, don't make a mistake with the brand. Take this one!
Simply, a great product!

I have been using a 64 MB SanDisk SmartMedia card in one Olympus D-520 2 MP digital camera for about 7 months, and another 128 MB SanDisk SmartMedia card in a second Olympus D-520 for about 10 months. Both have worked just fine. Have taken probably around 2,000 photos on the 128 MB card with no problems. We read the images directly from the D-520 through USB to iPhoto on an Apple Power Mac dual G4 system, and usually erase the card contents immediately after downloading the images. Everything has worked fine and I plan to buy another 128 MB SmartMedia card shortly.

I have had this 128 meg SM card from SanDisk for over a year and have had no trouble with it. I use it in an Olympus 3040 camera and two different brands of card reader on two different computers, and I have had no problems at all.

I have moved data as well as pictures and Mpeg movies taken with the camera. I only wish I could get 256 meg cards, but I fear that the format has been superceded by the newer XD cards, so we'll probably see no further development with Smart Media.

I gave it 5 stars because it has done everything I have asked it to do with no problems for well over a year. I haven't bothered to time it, as all digital cameras are slow to me after 30 years of 35mm film cameras. Still waiting for digital cameras to catch up on many fronts, although picture quality is getting very close to 35mm. Digital is also extremely convenient and cost effective.

I accidently sent a SanDisk SmartMedia card (without a case) through my washing machine. Dryed it off and was amazed to see that it didn't lose any picture files. Several months later and the card is still working fine.

I have purchased many, memory upgrades. There is nothing worse than buying memory, getting it, installing it only to boot up your computer and get that annoying beep that tells you that you have incompatible memory. You might also boot up and not even find the new memory size. Well put all that aside with this memory from "PNY". Line up the notches, slide it in, clip in the locking clips, boot up and presto, you now upgraded your system. Excellent!

I went from 128 megs to 512 megs on my Dimension 4300 (the max) and I noticed an 100% speed increase, and I dare say even faster than that. The improvement prob wouldn't be as great going from 128 to 256 or 256 to 512. Instead of taking around 6.5 minutes to boot XP, now it takes 2.5. Good show!

The hardest part was taking it out of the packaging! After taking it out just put it into your mainboard and secure it. then boot up the computer. Mine instantly recognized it. My computer is able to handle processes a lot better with all the programs I try to run at once. Great product!

i did a lot of research before buying this card, and in my honest opinion this is one of the best PCI graphics cards you can get, and at $100 is a great deal. i was playing unreal tournament 2003 on my dell dimension p4 1.8ghz with 512mb ram and standard onboard intel 3d graphics running windows XP home, and i had to play with practically all graphic options unchecked and set on the lowest settings. after i installed the card (see below) i gleefully checked every box and pumped all options to the max, and was rewarded by a beautiful game in its fully glory, and at an even better framerate than before. well worth it.

to install, it was somewhat of a hassle. the drivers included on a cd didnt work, and i had to go to pny's site to download them. but they send you over to nvidia to get the drivers, and since nvidia is the chipset and not the card, they provide drivers only with no support whatsoever. so, i got the drivers in, got direct x 9 installed, and no dice. you have to (again, this is windows XP home) go to the display, enable the dual monitor support, select the GeForce FX 5200 as your display for the second monitor, then choose that as the default, then dont expand display over 2 montiors. then you shut down, then plug the monitor from your onboard video to the new GeForce FX 5200. this is more of a windows XP/dell onboard video problem, which is what i still gave the card 5 stars, but you should still be aware of it.

anyways, bottom line: great card! good value, great performance, and if youre stuck in PCI graphics land, you cant go wrong with this for $100 bucks.

I love this card. It's versitile, its east to install, its great for newbies or hardcore graphics users. The price ain't bad either :-) What more could you ask for?

I bought this card because I was attempting to install dual videocards to expand my desktop. As it turns out this card comes equipped with two outputs. Instead of having to run this card along with a crumby 8meg ATI rage, I was able to run both monitors off of a single PCI slot @ 128 megs. Bravo.

This product worked fine for about a year and then died. It seems as this is a common problem. Be careful.

Compared to my old USB card reader, this thing is very fast. Setup on Windows XP is basically unneeded. It sets itself up when you plug it into the firewire port. If you have large cards to read in, this is worth the extra money over USB to save you time.

I've had this card reader for about two months now, running on a Mac G4 500 Dual processor under system 9.2. No problems. Does it's job well without glitches. Takes both Compact Flash Type 1 and CF type 2 cards, including my IBM microDrive. Download of large digital photo files is considerably faster than with my USB reader. Simple device without a lot of bells and whistles. Does what it's advertised to do at a good price.

Not compatible with my Sanyo VPC-X300. (Also a camera that won't go higher than 8MB).

The little research I've done shows that 32MB definately works(suppose to) with these digital cameras; more should be out there:

*FUJIX: DX-10.MX-500,600,700,2700.
*LEICA: Digilux.
*OLYMPUS: D-620L,C-1400XL,C-2000Zoom,D-400Zoom,C-900Zoom.
(These can use it WITH an Olympus upgrade: D-340L,D-340R,C-840L,D-500L,C-1000L,D-600L,C-1400L)
*RICOH: RDC-5000.
*SANYO: VPC-Z400.
*TOSHIBA: PDR-M3,PDR-M4.

!Hope this review enlightens you! ~ Bodhisattva8 ~

The SanDisk 32MB SmartMedia card was the largest available when I bought it last year to supplement the 64MB onboard the Rio500 MP3 player. It worked flawlessly, easily accomodating about 38 extra minutes of 160-kHz quality MP3 music data - enough to get the last couple of tracks off of 72-minute CD albums. The card is about an inch square and really "wafer-thin." (less than 1mm thick)

Bear in mind that since that time, a 64MB card has become available, and it will work flawlessly in the Rio500; larger MB cards are promised and should be compatible as well.

If you also use a Compact Flash digital camera, it's worth considering a cardreader/writer such as the Viking Intelliflash (also available from Amazon.) With this you can easily read and write data from both card formats, SmartMedia and CompactFlash.

I'm very pleased with this card. It is real simple to install. Just turn of the camera and pull out the old card and pop the 32 mb card in. The price is much cheaper than the Olympus 32 mb card. The only difference is that you can't take panoramic shots. Save your 8 mb card for that. The nice thing about the added memory for the camera is now I can take it on vacation and snap as many pictures as I want without worrying about downloading them to a PC. My next purchase will be a USB card reader because the serial connection on my digital camera is painfully slow.