Lexar Media 256MB Memory Stick ( MS256-132 )

Rating:
Summary: Great value
Review: As correctly described in another review, this is 2x128M (together 256Mb) memory stick. You have a little jumper on the back to switch between the banks. For reference, there is no such thing as 256 Mb memory stick, that's a limitation of memory stick technology. To overcome this limitation, Sony came up with the Memory Stick Pro standard, which can be 256 Mb, 512 Mb, and even 1Gb+, but Memory Stick Pro is not compatible with many older devices.

So if you camera takes Memory Stick, this is an absolutely best value you can find. I have 256 Mb memory stick from Lexar and very happy about it -- actually I came here to buy another one.

Rating:
Summary: This is really a 128MB x 2 memory stick
Review: Don't be fooled by the picture. Even though the "128x2" logo is not shown, this is really a Memory Stick that has 2 partitions of 128MB. You have to flip a little switch to go between the 2 partitions. To get a true 256MB Memory Stick with contiguous memory, you'll need to look at the "Memory Stick Pro" models.

Rating:
Summary: Best bet for older Sony devices
Review: Though the oldest review here claims misleading labeling, and rates the product poorly based on that, older Sony devices can only use the original Memory Stick format, and not the "Pro" format that the reviewer recommends.

The largest size available is 128mb. When Sony developed these tandem units - two 128mb Memory Sticks in one, each individually selectable with a miniscule toggle on the stick, they helped stave off technological obsolescence for early adopters of Memory Stick using devices. Having 256mb in a single stick offers greater convenience for owners of these older devices, and is more cost effective than buying two 128mb Memory Sticks.

I have used this stick in a Sony Clié handheld, which for the last two years was running with a 128mb Sony brand stick. Performance has been absolutely identical, and I now have double the capacity for less than half the price I paid originally for the Sony stick. I have also used it in a new laptop and digital video camera, both of which accept the newer "Pro" model sticks. Again, performance is perfect, including capturing video at a high image size for several minutes without any frame loss.

The stick itself has the requisite two toggles: one for switching between the two 128mb storage areas, and another for erasure protection. My stubby "guy" fingernails have no difficulty moving these controls. Also, the stick has a nice feature that my Sony one does not: A built-in indicator light on the exposed edge that flickers when the stick is being accessed by the device.

If you have a device that uses only the original Memory Stick, this is the best value I've found, offering the maximum possible memory in a single stick, and is upwardly compatible with newer devices. Highly recommended.