Re: Pretec Flash Card (10Mb)

Hitesh Brahmbhatt (hitesh@opti.com)
Wed, 20 Nov 96 16:43:51 PST

> From owner-ogo@lifelike.com Tue Nov 19 23:14:15 1996
> Date: Wed, 20 Nov 1996 01:49:53 -0500
> From: Latham@aol.com
> To: ogo@lifelike.com
> Subject: Pretec Flash Card (10Mb)
> Sender: owner-ogo@lifelike.com
> Content-Length: 1831
>
> Thought I'd write a short review on these cards since noone has yet.
>
> Upside:
> 1. 10 MegaBytes (seems roomy now, but the junk theory hasn't realized itself
> yet)
> 2. Zero power drain when in stand by (none that I can measure anyway)
> 3. Comes ready for the Ogo (no drivers necessary)
> 4. Did I mention it was 10 Mb !!!!!
> 5. Direct from Pretec ^^^^^.... only $179 (they have larger and smaller ones
> too) ^^^^
>

How come their website quotes $199 for 4MB ATA Flash card (compatible w/
OGO) ????

> Dowside:
> 1. HUGE power drain on sustained writes.
> (Backup up to it pulls so hard it takes a pair of Lithiums down to zero
> ....
> However, when you let them relax they recover well, so it must just be
> momentary. Functionally impossible to backup data on batteries only)
> 2. A little slower than my SRAM card, but quite bearable.
> 3. When you download a new program you have to reboot to see them
> (with the SRAM card I seem to remember the Ogo pausing then re-reading
> the card to show the new programs ... could be wrong )
>
>
> Since I have constructed the AC/DC converter from a RS 3/4.5/6 V 800 mA
> converter
> the response is still snappy and the drain during writes isn't enough to
> overwhelm
> the converter. But I don't have any readings yet to confirm this.
>
> I had a converter built from the 3V 250mA model .. but sustained writes
> pulled it
> down far enough for the Ogo to screen blank (too far no doubt ;-P )
>
> I only backup to the Pretec while I'm connected to the .8A power, so I carry
> my old
> SRAM in case I need to backup in transit.
>
> Since I use RAM for everything, and only backup once a day the battery drain
> is
> minimal and I am free from the desktop. A pair of Lithiums last me 2 months.
>
> In short use:
> Flash for minimal drain during regular operation AND high drain for
> backup/loading
> SRAM for medium drain during regular ops AND medium drain for
> backup/loading
>
> Comments?
>
> Ken
> latham@aol.com
>
>