Review Eye-Fi Pro X2

The Eye-Fi Pro card is ideal for me instead of the Explore because this version has ability to connect to your Ad-hoc network which any laptop can create on-the-fly. Just don't forget their special USB reader to configure setup.

On a previous post I tested the Eye-Fi Explore 8GB card.

I liked how this Secure Digital size memory card works.

Whatever you do, don't lose this special USB card reader. Without it, you won't be able to configure your Eye-Fi card

On further use, I realized what I really needed was the Eye-Fi Pro X2 8GB card.

Whenever I was away from my home network like in a busy coffeehouse, the bandwidth issues and whatever restrictions placed by the network admins made wireless transfer via WiFi somewhat unreliable.

I found the Ad-hoc capability of the Eye-Fi Pro X2 card to be well worth the extra cost.

Windows users can read more about setting up an Ad Hoc network

Mac users instructions for Ad Hoc network are here.

Most laptops have the capability to create a “private” or Ad-hoc WiFi network which you can password protect to transfer your images securely.

All my DSLRs use Compact Flash cards so I’m sure I’m not alone in wishing there will be a Compact Flash card version.

Two other features that this card has over the Explore card is the ability to geo-tag images and support for RAW files.

Geo-tagging is useful for Flickr users who like to share everything about their images.

Probably not so good for felons and those who are on the lam and don’t want to be found.

The flip side of this is?

Built-in Camera Locator?

Eye Fi Center configuration panel. Where you customize your settings after sticking your card into that special USB reader

Well, if someone makes off with your camera which is loaded with this particular card, you might be able to recover your stolen camera since the perpetrator will be transmitting info on where they are, or at least at the time they took a certain picture.

So it’s probably a good idea to configure your card to transmit to an online filesharing website like Costco.com, dotphoto, facebook, flickr, Fotki, Gallery2, Kodak Gallery, MobileMe, phanfare, photobucket, Picasa, RitzPix, Sharpcast, Shutterfly, SmugMug, snapfish, TypePad, VOX, Wal-Mart.

You can also configure the Eye-Fi card to upload to your own accounts in zenfolio, picasa, photoshelter and others. If nothing else you stand a chance of getting a picture of the thief, or their family and friends.

As for RAW files support, it’s quite self-explanatory.

Like Jim Legans Jr, a visitor to this blog pointed out, it’s too bad it’s only for cameras using SD cards.

I took a gamble and bought an adapter (Secure Digital to Compact Flash card) adapter for $16 since all my DSLRs use Compact Flash cards.

My results were unreliable.

Not sure what the issues are but for now, this new card lives in my Canon Powershot G11 and I’m very happy with it.

At some point, I will probably sell the Explore card I bought.

Maybe Eye-Fi folks can tell me how to unregister that card if I want to sell it or give it to someone else since each card is tied to an email account.


5 thoughts on “Review Eye-Fi Pro X2”

  1. Ted,
    I need to test this to see what happens when I’m out in the sticks and nowhere near civilization and a WiFi signal. I wonder what will happen with the geo-tags then.

  2. I wonder if that is where the node is. If I remember I will take a look over there and see. I suppose within 50 yards is pretty accurate.

  3. Thanks Bobee. I should really try the Geo-Tag option to see how accurate it is. Supposedly the card grabs it’s positioning via the closest open WiFi networks and figures out where you are. Only way to know is to test.

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