Portable cd burner for when you travel with a digital camera
 

I posted this on another thread but thought it was important enough to start a new one, I found out about this gadget on Slowtrav:

http://www.mydigitaldiscount.com/s.n...;search=apacer

On that page there are 2 portable storage devices. You put in your "memory stick" or whatever media you use (it takes many different types) and without a computer and even without electric (it can run by batteries) it automatically burns your pics to cds. I am going to Italy for 3 weeks next month with 1 256MB card and am sure I will be filling it up and burning the pics to cds every other day or so!

Thanks for the info! This really does look like a cool gizmo my husband will love for a Christmas gift...

Message: AP6380.
Fascinating device. Have you already purchased it and have had success with it? I assume it has 110/220 switching capability. Your experience in Italy with this item will be useful for those of us who are facing the same dilemma with forthcoming trips.

Please post when you return.

I should be getting my Apacer soon. If you check out the Slowtrav site under "Italy" and "Everything Else" there has been a lot of positive commentary on it. I will definitely be posting a trip report when I come back.

Wouldn't it be much simpler and cheaper to buy another 256mb card (or even two if you really take a lot of pictures)? A CF card now costs less than $50, and a 512MB card about $100.

I have found on two three week trips to Europe two 256mb cards was more than enough capacity. However, If you are planning to fill up a 256mb card every day for 3 weeks at 3mp resolution, that would be nearly 5,000 photos for your trip!

My memory stick cards (I believe) are still $90 for 256 MB. I also take movie clips with my camera, which takes up a lot of memory. I'd rather not have to worry about running out of memory, and just burn my own cds as needed. This way, I can take as many pics and movie clips as I want.

We considered this but didn't want to carry so many CDs around.

Instead we opted for an X Drive, one of many devices that

We considered this but didn't want to carry so many CDs around.

Instead we opted for an X Drive, one of many devices that allow you to empty cards straight into them. Ours has 40 GIG so we don't have to waste time deleting unwanted pictures based on the tiny camera LCD.

When we get home we transfer everything to the PC and delete MANY pictures, leaving just the good ones and then burn those to CDs for permanent storage.

There is another option: Use the photo services offered all over Europe and have the photo store burn a CD for you while you wait - for only a few euros - that way you can carry less. I saw this service offered in many small and large towns all over Italy and London last month