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Lexar Media 256 MB Memory Stick (MS256-281)

Lexar Media 256 MB Memory Stick (MS256-281)

List Price: $99.99
Your Price: $44.64
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Coming up short
Review: I bought this 256 MB memory stick because I wanted the flexibility of traveling for more than a few days at a time with my Sony (DSC P-9) camera without bringing along my laptop or any of the cumbersome devices for downloading photos. I figured that where my 128 MB memory stick proved too limited, combining its capacity with this new 256 MB stick would be just what I needed.

In the end, I was only partially right.

I don't have a problem with having to flick a tiny switch to have access to the second memory partition on the stick, and I've long realized that using a Lexar stick didn't present any obvious difficulties or shortcomings compared to the more costly Sony stick the camera maker recommends. But I was unpleasantly surprised to discover that each of the two parts of the 256 MB device held significantly less than the 128 MB stick I used before.

This is something I can't figure out, and I am not the kind of technical whiz who could accurately theorize why this takes place. But the evidence is clear: my 128 MB stick holds around 68 or 70 full resolution photos before filling up and on separate occasions, the 256 MB stick held about 55 or 56 on each side before it topped out. Both are from Lexar, so the problem is not problem stemming from the memory stick maker. And the 128 MB stick is older, so the blame can't be placed on any unannounced technological advances. The only thing I can assume is that the partitioning of the stick or the cataloguing of so much information somehow uses up some of the memory built into the product.

Does that mean this product is a bad investment? Well, I'm not sad that I bought it. It more than doubles the total number of photos I can take without downloading, to around 190 from around 80 (counting the 16 MB stick that came with the camera) for what seems to me to be a reasonable price. But if you are buying this counting on having exactly twice as much space as you'd find on a 128 MB memory stick, I think you'll find this product comes up more than a little bit short.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Not Reliable
Review: I bought this memory for my Sony TRV-50 camcoder, so that I can store more digital pics on the memory, before downloading them on my computer. Few days later, the memory stick stopped working. My camcorder gave memory error, and was unable to read it or reformat it. I tried in other devices too, and the same thing, unable to read the memory stick. All my pics got lost and I of course lost the memory stick too. Kinda waste of money for me. I think Sony's memory sticks are costly, but atleast they are reliable.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Just like Sony brand
Review: I bought this stick a month ago and it works terrific for me. Just like the original Sony branded stick but without the extra cost. I use it with my Sony P-32 and an external USB 2.0 reader. Although it would be great to have the entire 256MB partition at once, keeping it separated indeed helps me keep my stuff organized. Pics on one side, data on the other. I'm looking forward to buying another one. A++

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Know what you're getting
Review: I bought two of the 256 MB memory sticks assuming they would work the same way as the 126's. They actually work very well in my Sony DSC-P10, and I love having the large capacity so that I don't have to change sticks so often if I'm taking a large number of pictures.

However...like the previous reviewer, I was extremely disappointed that the 256 MB doesn't work with our Sony television which displays wonderful slide shows by inserting a memory stick into a special slot at the front of the TV. The 126's work fine. As a result, I'm considering going back to all 126's so the family can enjoy the slide shows on the large TV screen.

If that's not a consideration for you, and you know from the information provided by other reviewers that the 256's will work in your camera, go for it.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Not as adverised
Review: I had the same problem as other customers with the mail in rebate that never arrived. Also the product needs drivers installed with older windows versions, which can be annoying to find and download. Other than this it works fine.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Good Memory Stick
Review: I have 2 of Lexar's 256MB (128MBx2) memory sticks. Bought them a month ago and they work flawlessly with my Sony DSC-P72 camera and my SanDisk ImageMate card reader. Did not even require any drivers to be downloaded or installed. I just wish they made a 256MB memory stick without one having to manually switch from bank A to bank B. It's an inconvenience especially if you're shooting lots of pictures and pressed for time. But other than that, I like this product and would recommend it.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: For the price a pro stick is better
Review: I have this Lexar stick and the SanDisk SDMSP-256-822 256 MB Memory Stick Pro. Unless you have an older camera that is not compatible with the Pro technology I highly recommend buying a Pro stick instead. The Pro stick does not have an a-b switch and it writes faster than the older memory sticks.

It is important however to make sure your camera (as well as any card reader) is compatible with the pro stick.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Don't bother with the mail-in rebate
Review: I have twice been cheated by Lexar on mail-in rebates. But at least they sent me a card explaining that my UPC is invalid (God knows) on one occasion.

The product itself is OK. I haven't experienced any difference between this one and the one that came with my camera. When you consider buying it, just assume you won't get the rebate from Lexar Cheaters, Inc.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Your best value choice for stick media.
Review: I own two 256Mb Memory Sticks from Lexar. These sticks are, in fact, two 128Mb sticks in a single body; you must manually switch, via a micro DIP switch, which bank you wish to access. It also has a micro DIP switch for write-locking the media.

Now, manually switching banks is something to consider if you're looking for the latest and greatest: Sony has just released Memory Stick Pro media which can address up to 1GB of memory in a single stick. Is this a strong consideration? Probably not, since the 1Gb stick ends up costing more than your handheld.

In general use, these sticks are more than adequate. The minor incovenience of manually switching the banks is outweighed by the cost and backing of Lexar. Lexar makes good memory devices.

You could buy the Sony-branded sticks or Lexar-branded sticks, and you end up with identical media. Lexar's warranty on their Memory Stick media even surpasses Sony's, and it's the same item functionally. I recommend the Lexar sticks, withholding the final star because a soft-switch of the banks would have been perfect.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Lexar Media 256 MB Memory Stick
Review: I purchased this memory stick and have been extrememly happy with it. I have a Sony 5.0 digital camera and have been using this memory stick constantly for the past few months with no problems. I would recommend it highly!


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