Customer Reviews

Kingston 512 MB Type I CompactFlash Card (CF/512) (Retail Package)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This Kingston card uses a multi-level-cell (MLC) Flash made by Toshiba and writes much slower than the single-level-cell (SLC) models. I would avoid Kingston if you have a high resolution digital camera or frequently use the burst mode on your camera to take several pictures back to back. For MP3 players or lower resolution cameras, this card may be fine. Just keep in mind that it will also take longer to write MP3s from your computer to this card than it will with others. I would opt for a card made by SimpleTech, which is in the same price category but much faster.

Well theres nothing much to say about when it comes to Compact Flashes, they are all nearly the same (except for speed) and Kingston done the job well in this area. I am using my card with Cannon PowerShot G3 (Digital Camera) and the results are pretty amazing, its definitely faster than the card which is shipped with the camera (and many other brands like sandisk, viking, etc)and i had no problems using/installing it.
I am using the Lexar FireWire card reader which transfer the whole card into my laptop in seconds.
Kingsoton == five stars.

It would be really great if Amazon and other resellers did a better job outlining which accessories were compatible with which products. This is stated as a CF Type I card yet this does not work with a Nikon Coolpix 4300--another, more expensive Kingston card, must be used.

This 512MB card by Kingston is my camera's right hand man. I've used it extensively with a Canon Powershot S50 and haven't had any problems with it to date. A day's shooting on the highest quality JPEG setting fills the card at 200 photos - plenty for a hobbyist like myself. And the wait to download a full card's worth of photos, either through the camera or a card reader, is never more than a couple of minutes. The card is what you'd expect from CF memory - durable (I've accidentally stepped on it once and it's still okay), ultraportable and roomy. Highly recommended for anyone eyeing a 4+ MP camera or any other device with a need for lots of storage.

Beware of KINGSTON rebates!

Of course, I hope your experience would differ, if you were to buy Kingston product(s), but mine was terrible.

I bought a Kingston CompactFlash card that offered a $50 mail-in rebate. I promptly (as in, the day AFTER I received the item delivery) went to photocopy my rebate certificate and UPC code and sales receipt; then sent it all on its merry way. Yes, I was well within the rebate period, both for the purchase AND for the postmark date. My purchase was a valid retailer (think HUGE online e-tailer).

The rebate REQUIRED sending THE ENTIRE ORIGINAL UPC label, which was like the entire outside package for my CF card, about the size of 1 ½ business cards when flattened. No problem.

About TWO MONTHS later, I get a letter saying "your rebate request was denied because you failed to furnish the appropriate ORIGINAL UPC code as required by the rebate offer."

Well, now WHAT? I can't RE-SEND the original (it was already in their possession). I called, and they insisted on repeating what the letter said. I re-sent my PHOTOCOPIES and they said a photocopy is invalid proof of purchase.

After another 6 weeks of pursuing this, I figured this is their scam. They simply wouldn't honor the rebate. And without the ORIGINAL UPC in my possession, I couldn't really submit to their requirements.

If you're looking for a RAM upgrade, I'd suggest you look at a quality company like OCZ (the BEST!), or Patriot, Geil, or Corsair. If you're looking for a value Flash Memory Card, I might suggest SanDisk.

For one, Kingston does NOT make the best products, they are VALUE-driven products.

Two, there are competitors to Kingston with just as good or better value-to-performance ratios at the same prices.

Three, Kingston will not stand behind their customer as I have experienced.

I urge you to, please, be cautious of Kingston and their rebate scams.

I find that Kingston cards will suddenly corrupt themselves beyond repair after a year or two of faithful service. This has happened to me on three 512-MB Kingston cards.

Never had this kind of trouble with SanDisk Ultra II CF cards. Fortunately I had just moved photos off of it before it decided it wanted to have a nervous breakdown. But I will not be buying any more Kingston products. Too unreliable.

Bought the Kingston CF/256 for my Nikon CP5000, to replace the little SanDisk 32 MB card I got with the camera. Turns out this Kingston model isn't compatible with the Nikon CP5000. If you want a Kingston CF card for that camera, consult Kingston for their model recommendation.

Bought a Lexar 12X 256 MB card (faster than 12x makes no difference in that camera) and it works great.

I bought a Minolta Dimage 7Hi recently and needed to upgrade my 128 MB CF cards.

I got a SimpleTech 512, which worked for a day and then let me down, even though it still works with my Canon A40 and carries my class presentations to school.

The Kingston has never let me down so far. I took several hundred shots, but can't really vouch for its speed, since the Minolta has 64 MB RAM, so you can take about 16 pix at superior quality or 5 at RAW quality before the card writing speed could bother you.

Overall, the Kingston seems to be a quality product - can't find any caveat with it.

Well, it works well with my Olympus c5050.

I haven't had a problem yet.
Copy/cut/paste/format .. over and over again, and
no problems.

This is the first flash card i have used and i wasn't dissapointed.
I have always trusted Kingston for flash storage, and will continue to do so in the future.