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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> 4GB Compact Flash for $59!
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06/23/2006 01:30:03 AM · #1
I couldn't believe it when I found this deal at Fry's today. I'm shooting a wedding this weekend and needed another card after loaning one of mine to a friend. You can get a generic PQI 4GB 100x Compact Flash card for $89 with a $30 rebate. Check it out at Outpost.com.

Has anyone had any issues with PQI Compact Flash cards? I've only owned SanDisk and Lexar until now.
06/23/2006 01:57:37 AM · #2
I bought the 2GB PQI from Fry's - I hate Fry's - and it has been great as in no flaws or slowdowns, no lost data. I have shot quite a bit with it.
06/23/2006 02:11:18 AM · #3
I remember buying a 64MB card for $109 at Costco several years ago...
06/23/2006 02:15:06 AM · #4
I have a 1 gig PQI. No problems at all Bryan ;)
06/23/2006 08:56:25 AM · #5
Anyone know if the number "100" in the name of this card really means it is 100x? It doesn't say so anywhere in the name or the description that the number 100 is anything more than a model number. I'd like to know if the 100 really is the write speed before buying....

Message edited by author 2006-06-23 09:03:51.
06/23/2006 09:03:01 AM · #6
I'd be interested to know what the read/write speed is for sure. If my buffer doesn't get clogged up with info, this could be a damn good deal.
06/23/2006 09:09:41 AM · #7
Originally posted by dwterry:

Anyone know if the number "100" in the name of this card really means it is 100x? It doesn't say so anywhere in the name or the description that the number 100 is anything more than a model number. I'd like to know if the 100 really is the write speed before buying....


Says here it is 100x.

//www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820141054

-Chad
06/23/2006 09:36:28 AM · #8
Even the regular price is extremely low for a 4GB card. I keep hearing 'you get what you pay for' and that makes me wonder just how good this card can be for that price. I was pricing 2GB cards last week and they were around 80 USD. Hrm, tempting but suspicious!
06/23/2006 09:45:56 AM · #9
I use three 1G PQI CFs, all of which outlasted a certain Sandisk that I had. Like Patriot, Viking etc PQI does memory so they know what they are doing.
06/23/2006 09:49:09 AM · #10
I never heard anyone complain about their CF cards. Their card readers though don't have a great reputation.
06/23/2006 09:57:16 AM · #11
I had a 512mb PQI CF that died early. Not just failed - died. After-sales service and trying to get them to honour my warranty was not a pleasant experience at all.

But with components like these, it can just be bad luck. Lexar and Sandisk probably have just as good a chance of failing.

That said, I'm sticking with Lexar and Sandisk for now because I'm hoping their bigger brand presence means after-sales service might be better.
With electronic components, the 'get what you pay for' adage sometimes applies more to after-sales and warranties than the product itself, because usually most of the chips and internal components are shared between brands anyway.
06/23/2006 10:13:47 AM · #12
I have been using PQI for 6 months - no problem. I think they are moving out the 100x as this morning's Fry's ad in Houston Chronice had 2 Gb at $49. but was 133x - so perhaps new model for them and clearing out 100x inventory. I bought one of the 4Gb cards 4 days ago at $89. I'll but another for $59. Can't have too much memory for trips - no need to download onto a computer. By the way 5 year to lifetime warranty.
06/23/2006 10:44:19 AM · #13
Unfortunately, there's no firm industry standard for defining "X" speeds. Thus, a 50X Kingston Elite Pro card can be slower than a 45X or even 30X card from another manufacturer. That said, a 100X PQI should fall between a SanDisk Ultra II and SanDisk Exteme III in terms of performance.

$59 is a fantastic price for 4GB, but I'll probably go for a 2GB Transcend 120X at $46 instead since I've had good results with Transcend cards, and they've been tested for years over at Rob Galbraith.
06/23/2006 10:49:39 AM · #14
Originally posted by scalvert:

a 100X PQI should fall between a SanDisk Ultra II and SanDisk Exteme III in terms of performance.


I've heard that once the write speed of the camera has been exceeded by the ability of the card, anything over that write speed is wasted overkill and unnecessary.

Is this true?

Message edited by author 2006-06-23 10:50:11.
06/23/2006 11:18:36 AM · #15
that's a myth
06/23/2006 11:29:43 AM · #16
Speed in any computer term is always the lowest common denomonator, so if your card reads at 10MB/S (pulling numbers out of my ass folks, don't quote me) but your camera can only push 8MB/S you'll go at 8. That's why it's only truly important to get above your camera's speed (if you can calculate it). However, because they're tricky to get accurate numbers, I usually say get the fastest memory card that you can, cause you may want that extra speed someday.
06/23/2006 11:32:20 AM · #17
Originally posted by yakatme:

Is this true?


Mostly, but a faster card is still somewhat faster no matter what camera you use. For example, the fastest CF cards on a Canon 300D write at 1.3+MB/sec. A 1GB Hitachi Microdrive writes at 2.851MB/sec on a Canon 20D, but only 1.071MB/sec on a 300D even though the Rebel is capable of 1.3 and the card can obviously go faster. Once you get beyond 80X or so on current models, the camera becomes the limiting factor and you only appreciate the faster speeds when transferring files to your computer via a card reader (ideally Firewire). The fastest cards max out at just over 5MB/sec on a 20D and nearly 7MB/sec on a 5D, but they can transfer a whopping 13MB/sec with a fast card reader.

You can check the speed of various cards in your D70 HERE.

Message edited by author 2006-06-23 11:33:49.
06/23/2006 11:33:05 AM · #18
In reply to eckoe

That is what I have heard. And that's why I would think that this card would be more than fast enough for anything that the D70 demands of it if it falls "between a SanDisk Ultra II and SanDisk Exteme III in terms of performance" as scalvert put it.

I hope that this is the case, I just ordered one

Message edited by author 2006-06-23 11:34:16.
06/23/2006 11:36:39 AM · #19
Ok assume I'm technically dumb (yeah yeah not a far stretch) but the fastest write speeds on cards is only really important when shooting in burst mode, right? I mean even the most slowest of cards should be able to handle the average time between shots. So if you're not a big burst mode user then you can afford to get the slower write speeds. And what about WA technology?
06/23/2006 11:39:36 AM · #20
Originally posted by scalvert:

You can check the speed of various cards in your D70 HERE.


Wow, thanks for that link. They certainly cover a lot of cards and I'll compare my collection later when I get the chance.
06/23/2006 11:40:18 AM · #21
Originally posted by TrynityRose:

...the fastest write speeds on cards is only really important when shooting in burst mode, right?


You still have to wait for the camera to write the image data before you can see it on the LCD, and that can be annoying with a slow card. With high-speed 2GB cards readily available for under $50, what could you possibly save by buying a slow card?
06/23/2006 11:43:40 AM · #22
Originally posted by scalvert:

Originally posted by TrynityRose:

...the fastest write speeds on cards is only really important when shooting in burst mode, right?


You still have to wait for the camera to write the image data before you can see it on the LCD, and that can be annoying with a slow card. With high-speed 2GB cards readily available for under $50, what could you possibly save by buying a slow card?


Well it's not so much buying a slow card but not going out of your way to buy a super fast card if you dont need the extra speed. My preference is Lexar but I have a sandisk too and I've never really had to wait too long except when maybe doing 10second+ shots. People talk about CF cards and they seem to immediately want to know all the technical speeds and stuff, I'm just wondering if that's as important to know all those *eyes glaze over* numbers if you dont do something as specific as burst mode.
06/23/2006 11:45:05 AM · #23
Originally posted by yakatme:

I'll compare my collection later when I get the chance.


The new 120-133X cards hitting the market now might manage 4.2MB/sec on a D70, but note that a 50X Kingston Elite Pro is still 3.91MB/sec, so you aren't likely to notice any difference outside of a card reader.
06/23/2006 11:47:57 AM · #24
Originally posted by TrynityRose:

Well it's not so much buying a slow card but not going out of your way to buy a super fast card if you dont need the extra speed.


My point is that new high-speed cards are generally cheaper than the slow models they replace, so why pay more for a slower card? Even if your current camera can't take advantage of the speed, your next one probably will.

If you search NewEgg and Amazon, you'll see what I mean: Transcend 2Gb 120X card $46, Transcend 2Gb 80X card $51, SanDisk 2Gb original 4X card $76. This should be a no-brainer.

Message edited by author 2006-06-23 11:53:41.
06/23/2006 11:59:58 AM · #25
you really only need a few gig in cards and then a device like my Epson 2000 (40 GB hard drive). I just came back from Yellowstone and shot about 7 gig of pics (average 5 meg per pic) using my D200.
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