The CF to Nearly Everything Adapter

[Anthony Caruana]

The best thing about standards is that there is one to suit everyone. At least that's how it seems to me with memory. Once upon a time ago it was easy. You could choose from Compact Flash and ...Compact Flash. But, over the last few years a number of competitors have emerged. Sony gave us the Memory Stick, Toshiba, Sandisk and Matsu****a brought us Secure Digital. And there's MMC and SM. So which one are we to use? With CF being the oldest of these it stands to reason that a CF to everything else adapter would be a useful tool. Semsons have a CF to SD/MS/SM/MMC adapter for just this purpose.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/caruana-jun03-CF Adapter0.jpg" /> <br /><br /><!> <i>The CF 4 in 1 Adapter is a brilliant idea and looks to be well engineered. I was able to easily use this with an iPAQ 3850 (with CF Sleeve) and Jornada 548 to read and write to my Sandisk secure digital card and to a Sony Memory Stick. It worked the first time with no need to install any drivers. The only downside that I can see, is the size. At 89 mm long, it is longer than a normal PC Card. This means that it protrudes significantly out of the device you plug it into.</i> <br /><br /><span><b>Vital Statistics</b></span> <br />So what does this adapter deliver? It lets you use SD, MS, SM and MMC cards from either a Type 1 or Type 2 CF slot. It does this without loading any drivers. So that means that it is basically a passive interface between CF and the other media type. The other vital statistics are <li>Dimensions: 89mm (L) X 50mm (W) X 10mm (H)<br /><li> Weight ~ 30 grams <br /><li>Supports Windows 98/98SE/2000/ME/XP, MAC OS 8.6 and above and Windows CE 2.0 and above<br /><li>Draws power directly from host computer/PDA<br /> <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/caruana-jun03-CF Adapter1.jpg" /> <br /><i>Figure 1: The CF 4 in 1 adapter with a PC Card network card, a CF memory card and an SD card. As you can see the adapter is not all that small.</i> <br /><br /><span><b>So, how does it perform?</b></span> <br />I tested this adapter in three different devices <li>iPAQ 3850 with CF Expansion Pack<br /><li>Jornada 548<br /><li>Kodak DC 3200 digital cameraWhen using the adapter in the two different Pocket PCs it worked the first time, every time with no issues. I just plugged it into the CF slots, inserted either an SD card or Memory Stick and it just worked. That's the good news. However, you can only insert one memory card into the adapter at a time. Because of its small size, you can't get two cards into the adapter at the same time.<br /><br />I was also able to use the adapter in my digital camera. This is really handy as I can now use my SD card with my camera to view and edit images on my Pocket PC. However, the entire adpater end of the card was left hanging out of my camera.<br /><br />I did not notice any extra battery drain in my use. However, I am sure that it will use a little more power as it has a couple of LEDs. One is used to indicate that the card is receiving power from its host and the other indicates when the adapter is in use. <br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/caruana-jun03-CF Adapter2.jpg" /> <br /><i>Figure 2: The CF 4 in 1 adapter with an SD card inserted. About 10 mm of the SD card protrudes from the adapter when inserted.</i><br /><br /><b><span>Gotchas</span></b> <br />This device does exactly what it's designed to do with a minmum of fuss. It's reliable and, from my experience, compatible with a variety of host devices and memory cards. The specifiactions are pretty specific about compatibility being with memory cards so I doubt that it will support SDIO devices.<br /><br />The biggest issue with this adapter is the size. When inserted in a CF slot about 50 mm of the adapter is left hanging out. While I did not find this to be a major problem it may limit its use in devices like digital cameras as it may alter the way you need to hold the device.<br /><br /><b><span>Availability and Price</span></b> <br />The CF 4 in 1 Adapter is available from <a href="http://www.semsons.com/4in1comflasc.html">Semson and Co.</a> The normal retail price is $50.99 USD. However it is currently on sale for $29.99 USD.<br /><br /><b><span>Conclusions</span></b> <br />The CF 4 in 1 adapter is pretty cool piece of hardware. It does what it sets out to do simply and reliably. While it is a little cumbersome because of its size this is not a major drawback. Its real value comes from its flexibility. It lets you use the most common memory formats easily in any device with a CF slot.

[GoldKey]

Pretty cool. I think the $50 price is a bit much for this, but the $30 price seems OK. Probably most useful for those with a digital camera that uses a different media than their PDA. I would like to see a CF to PC card adapter in this price range for hooking a PC card hard drive up to a PDA.

[amcat]

:?: Did you by chance check compatibility with the Memory Stick Pro format? Sony has some pretty cool compact 5 Megapixel digicams out now, and I'd sure like to view my images out in the field on my bigger PPC screend...

[albsilva]

Well, I guess that there's one thing missing: the adapter itself should have, let's say, 256MB of memory capacity, so you could copy files between cards, even if you have no memory available on the device.

:)

Alberto Silva

[Paul Martin]

This would be a great way to expand my Jornada 568 to add other types of cards...did I read correctly that it would be compatible with CF type I? I guess so since you tested in on a Jornada 548.

If you used a CF device (i.e. WiFi card), that would be quite a sight sticking out of the slot. You mention SDIO, but would it support a CF device? Wonder if that would put any extra strain in the way of "weight" on the pins?

[JonnoB]

Well, I guess that there's one thing missing: the adapter itself should have, let's say, 256MB of memory capacity, so you could copy files between cards, even if you have no memory available on the device.

Of course, that would just add to expense (more than double perhaps triple the cost)

[Paul Martin]

Of course, that would just add to expense (more than double perhaps triple the cost)

Perhaps we could downgrade the expectations a little. I have a 7-n-1 memory card reader from Proporta that has 16 meg memory build in...nice little cushion to transfer a few files.

[Will T Smith]

The size is a killer. The thing is way to big. I've seen smaller CF GPS receivers.

For Type1 connections, pretec has a much better solution.

http://www.mobileplanet.com/product.asp?cat%5Fid=103&cat%5Fname=Other+PDAs+%26+Handhelds&dept%5Fid=1440&pf%5Fid=MP970838&listing=1

I dare say that for Jornada users, a Type 2 backpack converter combined with the Pretec would STILL be a more desirable solution.

[droppedd]

ooh - that Pretec is just what i need to transfer files back and forth from my little teeny Sony DSC-U20 camera while on the road... i just gotta get myself a nice big SD card and a 1 gig CF card and i'll be all set with my 2210 :D

[powder2000]

Pretty cool. I think the $50 price is a bit much for this, but the $30 price seems OK. Probably most useful for those with a digital camera that uses a different media than their PDA. I would like to see a CF to PC card adapter in this price range for hooking a PC card hard drive up to a PDA.


Isn't that the semson cf to pc card adapter? Or am I missing the question? I'm pretty sure you can use this card with pc card hard drives (ie. toshiba 2 or 5 GB). :roll:

[QYV]

The size is a killer. The thing is way to big. I've seen smaller CF GPS receivers.

For Type1 connections, pretec has a much better solution.

http://www.mobileplanet.com/product.asp?cat%5Fid=103&cat%5Fname=Other+PDAs+%26+Handhelds&dept%5Fid=1440&pf%5Fid=MP970838&listing=1


This looks very cool. So here's my question: in a year or so when it's possible that CF may have died out as a viable format for I/O peripherals, would this allow me to use an SDIO card in my Axim's CF slot?

[Anthony Caruana]

:?: Did you by chance check compatibility with the Memory Stick Pro format? Sony has some pretty cool compact 5 Megapixel digicams out now, and I'd sure like to view my images out in the field on my bigger PPC screend...

Sorry - I didn't have access to a MS Pro but it worked with an older MS

Regards

[Anthony Caruana]

Pretty cool. I think the $50 price is a bit much for this, but the $30 price seems OK. Probably most useful for those with a digital camera that uses a different media than their PDA. I would like to see a CF to PC card adapter in this price range for hooking a PC card hard drive up to a PDA.

I reviewed a CF to PC Card adapter earlier this year that lets you use a PC card in a CF slot. I have been using one for nearly a year and it works well. You can find them at www.semsons.com

Regards

[Anthony Caruana]

Wonder if that would put any extra strain in the way of "weight" on the pins?

The device is pretty solid. I would not expect that "weight" on the pins would be a significant issue (unless you put the adapter with something in it in your back pocket and sat on it) 8O

Regards

[Paul Martin]

(unless you put the adapter with something in it in your back pocket and sat on it) 8O

8O Now that IS a scary thought!

[tw]

If you just need an CF to SD/MMC adapter check out the Minolta SD-CF1 adapter. It has exactly the size of an CF Type I card !!
So it fits perfectly into every digicam, MP3 player etc. with CF slot.

http://www.minoltausa.com/cpgimages/SD-CF1_Adapter_145.jpg

http://www.minoltausa.com/eprise/main/MinoltaUSA/MUSAContent/CPG/CPGProducts?cname=acc&fname=acc_cfa&Mname=

[GoldKey]

The Semson adapter looks perfect. Now, anyone know of any good drive deals. Tiger direct had some great ones a while back, but they are all gone. :(

[urologyhealth]

CF card with adaptor that accepts PCMCIA card--see www.semsons.com

This is different than the new one they came out with.

I gave up my Casio E-200 for a Siemens SX56 PPCPE and I have no use for this anymore.

I will sell it for $10.00

Thanks

[GoldKey]

urologyhealth

What is the difference between the one they sell now and the one you have?

For a second, I thought you were selling the Casio for $10 8O

[urologyhealth]

I returned my Casio E-200 3-4 times and each time the unit had to be replaced. I finally got them to refund my monies in full--that was over a 2 year period. I really liked to unit.

The semsons card I am selling is only for CF TO PC.

The new one is CF to mmc/sd etc.

Hope that clarifies it--check out their website.

[Thinkingmandavid]

This reminds me that there is a cf/pc card available at best buy that is blue tooth. I know this want blue tooth but I found it very useful the combo set. Good for pda/laptop usage.
I would check www.ecost.com if you are looking for some really great deals on cf,sd, ms. mm, etc.
That is a good idea of having memory along with it for transferring. I to do not like the size but I can see where the usefulness for it is great.