« [ NUMBER TWO TRIES HARDER ] | Main | [ IT’S FREEBIE TIME AGAIN ] »
July 03, 2008
[REVIEW—SANDISK USB-PLUG MEMORY CARDS]
SANDISK ULTRA II SDHC PLUS CARD 8GB
SANDISK MICRO CARD 8GB WITH MOBILEMATE READER
Price: Plus Card $117 Micro and reader $107
What’ll they think of next!
The low-down: These are two clever variations on SD and Micro SD memory cards. The Micro card is a conventional memory medium for mobile phones and Sandisk’s MP3 players, but in this package it comes with a tiny card reader that plugs straight into a USB socket, obviating the need for the usual Micro SD adapter. With 8GB of space on the card this provides good memory expansion for mobile phones and players. The SDHC Plus card is even smarter – take it from the camera and it plugs directly into a USB port. The memory card is hinged, and it is opened out flat for insertion into the camera. Then, for file transfer to the PC, it is folded closed and the USB pins are exposed. In this configuration it plugs into the socket.
Like: There is evidence of brilliant lateral thinking in these memory cards. Most PCs and laptops these days have readily accessible USB ports, and now the camera or MP3 files can be transferred without cables of any sort.
Dislike: The hinge on the Plus card is small. This looks like the weak point in the design – but that is something that can only be tested with extended use. The price is high, compared, for example with the Ultra II SDHC card bundled with the Sandisk USB card reader. The conventional card with reader is about $20 less than the Plus.
Verdict: These two new forms of memory cards are clever adaptations of the standard SD and Micro SD media. We have been using the SD Plus card in a compact camera we are testing and we found it a boon to be able to whip the card from the camera and push it straight into the USB port on the front of the PC. The MobileMate Micro reader is a better way of transferring files than the standard SD card form adapater because it also plugs the Micro SD straight into the USB port. Very smart and highly recommended.
*
Posted by terry at July 3, 2008 01:09 AM
Trackback Pings
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://bleedingedge.com.au/cgi-bin/mt/mt-tb.cgi/1524
Comments
I have been using the "hinged" SanDisk SD cards for over two years. I initially had concerns that the hinge may have been the weak point but in use those fears have proved groundless.
These are now my preferred SD cards and I have several.
Posted by: RichardR at July 4, 2008 12:14 AM