On Jan 9, 2007, at 9:26 AM, Kenneth Waller wrote: >> Talk to anyone who worked within the retail industry and they will >> have >> some >> sort of horror story about bent pins on CF cards. > > I don't doubt that for a minute. My question is why are CF cards "more > prone" to issues than the SD card?
- CF card are much more regular in shape compared to SD cards, so it's easier to recognize correct orientation with the SD cards when inserting into the a reader cage. The SD card shape also has a physical block to prevent insertion with the wrong orientation. - CF cards use a fine pitch, 50pin interface ... the card has to be very precisely aligned to slide those 50 sockets over their pins exactly right, and the pins have to be very fine wire, while still capable of withstanding a bending load. Compare that with an SD card's small number of broad contract patches that spring-loaded contact fingers slide across ... the sliding contact alone helps keep the surface clear. - The multipin interface socket of the CF card has a nearly symmetrical shape and must fit snugly for best pin contact, which makes insertion and removal more difficult in many implementations. The SD card interface and card spec allows a simple latch-over spring ejection mechanism, which makes it easier to put them in and take them out. Godfrey -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
