SanDisk Extreme Ducati Edition CompactFlash

SanDisk released their fastest CompactFlash card as the Ducati Corse Official Sponsor. This card is fast and features 45MB/sec sequential read/write speeds. This is the ultimate card for a Ducati fan or photographer who wants the highest level of performance.

Product Details

• Available in 4GB and 8GB configuration
• Fast 45MB/sec. sequential read/write speed
• Tested for use in extreme temperatures -13 F to 185 F
• Includes travel case and RescuePro Deluxe software
• Lifetime limited warranty
• UDMA card for the fastest transfer rate with professional cameras

SanDisk Extreme FireWire Reader

One of the problems with larger compact flash cards is the time required to transfer 1500 or more pictures. SanDisk solved the problem with the Extreme FireWire compact flash reader with a transfer rate up to 40MB/sec. The reader uses either the supplied standard FireWire 400 or FireWire 800 cable. All of my testing and use has been with the standard FireWire connection.

For testing I used a set of 544 files, 1.89GB of photos. Testing included the SanDisk 2GB Ultra II, 8GB Extreme IV and 8GB Extreme Ducati Edition CompactFlash cards.

SanDisk Ultra II 2GB

I decided to use a SanDisk 2GB Ultra II CompactFlash card for the speed comparison. The Ultra II transfer speed of 15MB/second does not benefit from the Firewire readers speed compared to the USB reader tested.

• Transfer files with printer USB reader - 30+ minutes. I gave up waiting.
• Transfer files with USB reader - 7:35 minutes.
• Transfer with Extreme FireWire reader - 7:35 minutes

SanDisk Extreme IV 8GB

I have been using a SanDisk Extreme IV 8GB CompactFlash as my primary card. It's speed and capacity means when using a 10MP camera I rarely change cards during an event or at the track.

• Transfer files with USB reader - 4:15 minutes
• Transfer with Extreme FireWire reader -1:33 minutes

SanDisk Extreme Ducati Edition 8GB

The SanDisk Exteme Ducati Edition is not just a co-branded product, it really is faster. During my testing it was clear the Extreme Ducati Edition was faster than my Extreme IV and much faster than my Ultra II card. When the card is full the speed of the Extreme cards and readers are useful to minimize file transfer at the end of a long day.

• Transfer files with USB reader - 3:20 minutes
• Transfer with Extreme FireWire reader - 1:10 minutes

SanDisk RescuePro Deluxe Software

I also tested the RescuePro Deluxe software designed to recover deleted files. We all fear the thought of accidentally deleting all the files after or during a photo shoot. RescuePro worked like a charm, I recovered the deleted files with no problems.

Summary

If you want a compact flash card that provides the highest performance and reliability choose one of the SanDisk Extreme cards, for motorcycle enthusiasts or Ducati fans the 4GB or 8GB SanDisk Extreme Ducati Edition is the obvious choice.

I'm looking forward to using the Ducati Edition to photograph Ducati MotoGP riders Casey Stoner and Marco Melandri at the U.S. Grand Prix, July 18-20.

Check out these and other SanDisk products at http://www.sandisk.com.

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