IBM Microdrive failure

[clkgtr37]

I was just at the local camera store today and heard some rather disturbing news. The sales person I was talking to told me that the IBM microdrive 1GB has been know to fail if heldby the top an bottom rather than the sides. I havent found any places on the net that mention this happening, but I was wondering if anyone has had this problem.

Thank You for you time,
Blair

[mugsie]

The micro drive contains several moving parts, all spaced extremly accurately through the use of micro bearings. Holding the drive from the top and bottom will put undo pressure on these bearings, effective changing the calcualted loads and cause a failure of the drive. I would recommend, in all cases, to handle the drive by the edges only. Incidently, I have used this drive outside in 28 degree weather, taken it inside, inserted it into the card reader had had it work perfectly. It's an absolutely incredible piece of machinery. Good luck and good shooting....

[gerry]

how much of an impact can a microdrive take?

I dropped mine once, from about three feet, and it survived.

[Mike K]

I have heard from a souce in the CF industry that if you drop the MD from any significant height and it hits on a corner it can be damaged. The G force it can withstand is actually greater than a CF, but the CF card is so light that it doesnt strike with much force, while the MD is quite a bit heavier and will reach a higher velocity, remember force = mass x velocity. The MD is safest when not removed from the camera, but downloads will be slower. Then if you drop it the camera will break first!
Mike K