Eye-Fi WiFi-equipped SD memory card Review

Anyone who owns a digital camera knows how much of an annoyance itcan be to have to pop out the memory card or attach the USB cable toget to your pictures. For those with a camera that uses SD memorycards, the Eye-Fi may just solve this very problem. The Eye-Fi SD cardis a Wi-Fi supported memory card that enables you to send pictureswirelessly to your computer, even if your camera is not Wi-Fi supporteditself.

Eye-Fi WiFi-equipped SD memory card Review

Published August 25, 2008 at 01:16:12 PM, by David Fried

Eyefi SD Card

Anyone who owns a digitalcamera knows how much of an annoyance it can be to have to pop out thememory card or attach the USB cable to get to your pictures. For thosewith a camera that uses SD memory cards, the Eye-Fi may just solve thisvery problem. The Eye-Fi SD card is a Wi-Fi supported memory card thatenables you to send pictures wirelessly to your computer, even if yourcamera is not Wi-Fi supported itself.

Design
Upon returning from a recent trip to the land of our neighbors to thenorth, (specifically Toronto) the last thing on my mind was hooking upmy camera to the computer. To my rescue from the painstaking process ofdropping and dragging the photos onto my desktop comes my saviorbrandishing a bright orange plastic jacket.

You may ask who myhero in a fluorescent ginger exterior is, and I will inform you it'sthe Eye-Fi wireless SD card. Numerous minutes, possibly tens ofminutes, are saved by this miniscule device (if size really matters,its dimensions are exactly standard, meaning 32mm x 24mm x 2.1mm) TheEye-Fi enables me the opportunity to waltz into my abode, remove myjacket, turn on my camera, and proceed to warm my toes by the fire,knowing that in a couple of minutes my photos will be ready for me toreminisce over. The Mac and PC compatible Eye-Fi SD memory cardflawlessly adds Wi-Fi to any camera and boasts a respectable 2GB ofmemory. The card is pretty sleek (as most SD cards are). As for thecoloring, I guess if you are a fan of the cereal iconoclast Tony theTiger, the orange tint will leave you saying 'That'sGrrrrrrrrrrrrrreat!'

Connectivity
 Thefree Eye-Fi service supports uploading to numerous photo based websiteswith the touch of a button; including Flickr, Shutterfly and Webshotsto name just a few. Setup is a snap as it takes about five minutes orso to program the card. From there you're home free, just snap somepics and within a few minutes (as long as you're in range of yourrouter), the pictures will be available on the computer for yourviewing pleasure. For those of you who are paranoid, no need to worry,as the site claims 'photo transmission is secure and private.'

However, a major flaw is the fact that the card doesn't supporthotspots, which is quite the flaw. The price comes in at a non-bankbreaking $100, but snapping photos and uploading in real time is worththe extra coin. The Eye-Fi is not a battery-draining vampire, so needto worry about the battery running out on you right in time for thatpicture perfect sunset.

The card is built about as ruggedly asany SD and weighs in at a petite 0.1oz, so no added weight to thecamera. The ease of use is about as simple as using a normal SD card,and if wires are truly an issue for you, the Eye-Fi SD card isavailable for around $99.

Features

  • Uploads photos automatically from Eye-Fi Card inside your camera. Built-in Wi-Fi connects to your home network.
  • Provides free and unlimited photo uploads to your computer and yourfavorite photo or social networking website via the Eye-Fi Service.Photo transmission is secure and private.
  • Supports sharingand printing websites, including KODAK Gallery, Shutterfly, Wal-Mart,Snapfish, Photobucket, Facebook, Webshots, Picasa Web Albums, SmugMug,Flickr, Fotki, TypePad, VOX, dotPhoto, Phanfare, Sharpcast and Gallery.
  • Handles full-resolution jpeg images and intelligentlyre-sizes photos if limited by your chosen photo or social networkingwebsite.
  • Fits digital cameras that use SD memory cards.
  • Includes USB memory card reader to make set-up easy.

Conclusion

Pros:

  • Upload photos to your computer wirelessly

Cons:

  • Cannot use at public hotspots

The price is worth paying if wires are honestly an issue, however ifyou don't mind just plugging in the camera or putting the SD card in areader, then the Eye-Fi is excessive. However, when uploading picturesit's an all or nothing kind of deal, as the card sends everything,every time. Additionally, there is no indication as to when everythinghas finished uploading. Setup is simple and the card is easy to use,just pop it into your camera's SD slot and your good to go. Overall,the card is easy to use, and possesses novel features in a sleek orangepackage.