512MB SD Card recommendations

[1966]

I'm looking to buy a 512MB SD card for my shortly-to-arrive Dell Axim X30 PDA. Looking on eBay and various online stores there seem to be loads at different prices.

I understand the unbranded cheapy ones, like the eBuyer one are best avoided as they can be unreliable and prone to corruption. So which brands are to be regarded as reliable? SadDisk, Toshiba, Crucial and Kingston all seem to well rated, can anyone suggest any alternatives (preferably cheaper)?

Also, looking on ebay, they seem to have different speed ratings, 45x 60x etc. Is there really much difference between these in everyday use with a PDA or digicam? Is it worth paying extra for the faster ones?

Oh and if anyone can recommend any good ebay sellers for sd cards that would be great. most seem to ship from the US, so if anyone has had fast, customs free shipping from one, please let me know!

Thanks!

[nigel_williams]

I bought a Kingston 512Mb card from E Buyer last week for around 49 quid. Works fine in my Axim X5.

[Tempest]

Giving you a bump up :)

Im in a similar position with my Palm Tungsten T2 (need a memory card)

I'm tempted by these:
http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_4_401_40105&products_id=27882

the 512MB version is twice the capacity, but 3x the price.....

But like you, I don't know how good this make is.

To be honest I don't even really know what's the difference between MMC and CD cards (something about security I think but not sure as never had to find out before)

[Russ D]

I bought a SimpleTech 512Mb SD card from an eBay seller in the states (for my X30 as well) - no problems with the card or delivery. I have mailed you with 2 reliable eBay sellers in the states. ;)

[Russ D]

An excellent place to look for all things SD card related is HERE. (http://sdprob.aximsite.com/)

The memory card list (http://sdprob.aximsite.com/theproblemlist.htm) is of particular relevance.

All the above taken from the excellent Aximsite. (http://www.aximsite.com)

[Frustin]

i just bought a 512Meg Sandisk Ultra II SD card from the US for £60 delivered. from this seller on ebay: bestelectronicsonline

[Tempest]

Like the original poster. I too am confused about SD memory quality.

Is there some unwritten law re the specs of these SD cards ?

eg: Are some only intended for like Camera use (storing pics) and others intended for more secure PDA uses ?

The ads don't really say anything, and to the punter, hey, a SD card is an SD card (forgetting the new speed issue for a moment)

I mean, the 7dayshop 256MB Cards for £18 are they any worse than any other 256MB card ? Are they all made to the same specs ?

[Tempest]

An excellent place to look for all things SD card related is HERE. (http://sdprob.aximsite.com/)

The memory card list (http://sdprob.aximsite.com/theproblemlist.htm) is of particular relevance.

All the above taken from the excellent Aximsite. (http://www.aximsite.com)

Oh dear, that info about cards not working sounds horrid!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh the confusion :?:

[1966]

Confusing indeed! In the end I gave up trrying to work out what would be best and just ordered a 512mb Sandisk SD Card for £39.99 inc. But not before accidentally buying a 512mb Compact Flash card :lol: now for sale here (http://www.thedvdforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=316683).

[res]

I now get my memory cards from Warehouseexpress.com (http://www.warehouseexpress.com/). Usually quite cheap and reliable. Ordered a couple of 512MB CF cards at about 2:00pm and got them the next day at 8:30am.

As for the brand, I always get Sandisk. Have seen good reviews in camera mags. I think there is a difference in quality between different brands of card but I can't be more specific. Like most things you get what you pay for.

[adam.mt]

Basically, buying SD cards is a bit of a lottery (unfortunately). Thankfully, it's a lot better now than it has been in the past (see the Axim site).

Many companies actually out-source their supply, and sometimes they do this on and off! Thus, eg SanDisk and Lexar cards can be produced in a number of countries and yet they aren't labelled as such when you buy them. Thus, why some people say to look for a card "Made in Japan" rather than one "Made in China" (however, I believe this isn't always true now!). Consequently, some people swear by eg Lexar, whilst others swear at them!

Best bet is just to buy one then to try it out quickly after you receive it and check for any problems - try the test procedure listed on the Axim site posted. If your card passes the tests then great, if it fails then return it for replacement/refund.

(I've personally got a standard SanDisk 512MB SD card, obtained cheaply from an ebay trader from the USA about a year ago and "Made in China", however it passes the test and works just fine. This is despite SanDisk cards tending to get bad opinions - just see the Axim site or numerous posts in PDA forums).

If you want a (near-) guaranteed good one then buy "Panasonic", however they are a bit more expensive. Alternatively, try and buy a 'faster' rated card (check the specs, if provided, for transfer rate read/write).

BTW, most of this only applies to PDA users (Pocket PC/Palm); digital camera users 'should' be fine whichever card they buy.

[Tempest]

These sound good - fast and cheap too.

TwinMOS Secure Digital 512MB SD-Card, Ultra-X series, 40x
£48 + £5 Delivery

Did read some iffy bits about kingston tonight.

http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/ki.asp?sku=114692&cks=PRL

[TERMIN8TOR]

These sound good - fast and cheap too.

TwinMOS Secure Digital 512MB SD-Card, Ultra-X series, 40x
£48 + £5 Delivery

Did read some iffy bits about kingston tonight.

http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/ki.asp?sku=114692&cks=PRL

Anyone have any experience with these? TIA.