Full Version: Hitachi Microdrive 4GB
I've found that if you buy the Creative Labs Muvo 2 4GB MP3 player, (ie with the hitachi 4GB drive) it's a whole bunch cheaper than buying the cards separately. And you have the bonus of an mp3 player!
I got two 4 gb microdrives on ebay a while back for under $200 each. I see that there's still lots of them listed. These were no doubt taken out of the Muvo players. Apparently some people still have plenty of the old style players to take apart for the microdrives.
I recently got an "error 2" on one of the microdrives. I was able reformat and now it works again. I'm so scared that this might happen some time when I have images on the disk that I ordered 3 more 1 GB solid state compact flash cards. I don't really want more than about 75 images on any one device.
I recently got an "error 2" on one of the microdrives. I was able reformat and now it works again. I'm so scared that this might happen some time when I have images on the disk that I ordered 3 more 1 GB solid state compact flash cards. I don't really want more than about 75 images on any one device.
I have 5 microdrives (4 1GB, 1 4GB). 50,000 exposures so far, zero problems.
I have owned 1G MD's (IBM's) as well as currently own a 4G Hitachi and found them very reliable -- even after dropping them on occasion.
However, the 1G versions seemed to use more battery than the CF cards in my 1D so I sold them -- probably not a huge issue in a MKII.
FWIW I now use the Hitachi 4G in my Contax 645/Kodak digital and have had zero problems, though I do believe the CF cards are less prone to impact damage than MD's so I prefer CF's for my MKII and 1Ds.
However, the 1G versions seemed to use more battery than the CF cards in my 1D so I sold them -- probably not a huge issue in a MKII.
FWIW I now use the Hitachi 4G in my Contax 645/Kodak digital and have had zero problems, though I do believe the CF cards are less prone to impact damage than MD's so I prefer CF's for my MKII and 1Ds.
I just purchased another 2 Hitachi 4GB Microdrives from Memorysuppliers.com. The price was only $369.00 each plus $4.95 ground UPS shipping.
I've been using one for about 2 months with my new Canon 1D MkII. It is fast and reliable (knock on wood).
Bud James
Lansdale, PA
I've been using one for about 2 months with my new Canon 1D MkII. It is fast and reliable (knock on wood).
Bud James
Lansdale, PA
Be carefull ! Creative labs has launched a new edition of the MuVo that does not allow this (it specifically says on the box).
I was able to get one of the older ones and take out the microdrive but it was hard to find a shop that still had the older model.
I was able to get one of the older ones and take out the microdrive but it was hard to find a shop that still had the older model.
I also have three 1 GB CF cards.
I don't know exactly why but I just don't trust a 4 GB microdrive enough. I also find it slower than the CF cards so I try to use it only when I have filled the other cards, and never to the end. I usually put around 150 photos in raw format in it and then download them.
I don't know exactly why but I just don't trust a 4 GB microdrive enough. I also find it slower than the CF cards so I try to use it only when I have filled the other cards, and never to the end. I usually put around 150 photos in raw format in it and then download them.
I found that the microdrive is too unreliable for storing photo. I once use a 128 and it gives me errors all the time. Finally got back to CF.
I just recently got a F828 but it'll only recording the highest quality vids on either microdrive or mem stick pro. I think I'll just stick with the stick pro eventhough it's more expensive.
I just recently got a F828 but it'll only recording the highest quality vids on either microdrive or mem stick pro. I think I'll just stick with the stick pro eventhough it's more expensive.
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