Comments on: First Visor Compact Flash Adapter Available

A small company named MatchBook Products announced yesterday that they will begin immediate production of the MatchBookDrive Adapter, the first commercial product to allow the use of Compact Flash memory cards in the Visor. It is a passive adapter that fits into the Springboard slot and allows files to be copied from the RAM to a Compact Flash card for storage.

The MatchBookDrive Adapter relies on software being developed by Kopsis, Inc. that is scheduled to be commercially released in January, 2001. Presently, it is available as a time-limited free beta.

The MatchBookDrive Adapter will retail for $30 U.S., including shipping to U.S. addresses. Shipping to Canadian addresses will be $2 extra, and shipping to other international addresses will be $5 extra. Until January 15, 2001, MatchBook Products is discounting the Adapter to $20 including US shipping.

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MicroDrive Compatible?

palmcoder @ 12/29/2000 10:14:19 AM #

anyone know if this adapter can be used with the IBM CF MicroDrives?

RE: MicroDrive Compatible?

I.M. Anonymous @ 3/3/2001 1:58:28 PM #

i think it is, but i heard that the problem is that since they have moving parts, it drains your batteries VERY quickly. it wouldn't be worth running the drive.

Looks like the CF card sticks WAY out...

willyard @ 12/29/2000 10:49:08 AM #

I just looked at the picture of this gizmo on the MatchboxDrive web site ( http://www.kopsisengineering.com/in_visor_full_s.jpg ). Is it just me, or does the CF card protrude almost completely out the back of the Visor case when it's installed into the adapter? Looking at the pictures of the adapter itself
( http://www.kopsisengineering.com/flashadapter_3.html ), it appears that the adapter fills up the Springboard slot, leaving the installed CF card dangling out in the breeze. Yuk! If this is indeed the case, I see very little practical use for this thing apart from a curiosity.

Never mind!

willyard @ 12/29/2000 10:50:48 AM #

Just saw this: "The MatchBookDrive Adapter allows the compact flash card to remain totally within a standard springboard housing, which makes a much more pleasing form factor."

*blushing*

Reading...it's fundamental. ;-)

Sony's memory Stick 4 Visor

I.M. Anonymous @ 12/29/2000 1:21:37 PM #

You know.. Ithinkthis may be a good solution, for some, but I am waiting and banking on Sony's memorystick for the visor, shown below;
http://www.pdabuzz.com/Features/Comdex2000/Innogear.html
But I am also hoping that it would also server more than just a storage device. I am hoping that you can actually use it as Ram as well.
We'll just have to see.

RE: Sony's memory Stick 4 Visor

I.M. Anonymous @ 12/29/2000 2:14:25 PM #

from what i remember, a memory stick is cheaper than a CF card when you compare them MB for MB.

I think i'll wait for the the MS module aswell...besides, maybe by then we'll be able to actually run programs right off the extended memory instead of copying it onto the visor AND THEN using it. Only to have to copy it back onto the card when we're done.

Run Apps from the MemoryStick

Ed @ 1/2/2001 11:54:17 AM #

You can run software directly from the memory stick... sort of. Just download the MSAutorun file that copies the database or application from the MS to the Clié's main memory, then launches it.

http://www.ita.sel.sony.com/support/clie/softupdates/index.html

While I'm on the subject, Sony posted an update to the gMedia movie software that gives support of Jog Dial navigator operations, as well as video playback directly from a MemoryStick. It is available from the above link, too.

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Finally!!

Tom B @ 12/30/2000 1:24:16 AM #

Finally a CF adapter for the Visor! I have spoken with the designer and his specs are right on the money. Mass storage for the Visor is finally here.

Sony Clie?

Tom B @ 1/1/2001 7:57:54 AM #

I know a few of you out there are really optimistic about the memory module that allows us to use the memory stick (myself included) for our Visors but doesn't the Clie use the same basic “copy to RAM“ format with it's memory stick as this new CF adapter does to the Visor?

RE: Sony Clie?

I.M. Anonymous @ 1/1/2001 11:01:33 AM #

> doesn't the Clie use the same basic “copy to RAM“ format with it's memory stick as this new CF adapter does to the Visor? <

Yes.

What Happened?!

I.M. Anonymous @ 1/11/2001 2:12:09 AM #

Hey Does anybody know what happened to the Matchbook wedsite? It looks like it has vanished!

MatchBookDrive SpringBoard Price Reduction

Ed @ 3/3/2001 4:39:23 PM #

MatchBook Products has reduced the price of the MD-001 MatchBookDrive Adapter to $25, with free shipping to U.S. destinations, $5 shipping to international destinations.

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Palm Infocenter