| Gepe
Card Safe – Extreme
I
had the opportunity to use a Gepe Card Safe "Extreme"
model for a few months. I am still using it after accidentally
putting it through a torture test.
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During
my initial test period I found that the unit lived up to the
manufacturer's claims about being shock resistant, crushproof,
dustproof and watertight. One of the things I really liked
about it was how secure it held my four CF cards totaling
12 GB of memory. With the cost of cards as they are I had
no worry about them falling out when the unit was open. I
felt that the Extreme was a top quality card safe and was
quickly prepared to recommend its use.
| But,
things changed this spring. I was out photographing the
return of the Canada Geese to our area. We had an unusually
wet spring with a rapid snow cover melt. That gave us
flooding situations over wide tracks of land. |
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|
Due
to the need for walking around in standing water I was reduced
to carrying just the tripod, camera and one lens. None of
the usual items I carried were with me. I had one lens cloth
in my jacket pocket and my Gepe (holding two full 4 GB CF
cards and a spare empty card) in my back pants pocket. I had
done a lot of shooting that morning.
Suddenly
I started to slip and slide on some rocks in the 12” deep
water. I managed to get the tripod to stand up by its own
in what was a safe position. But my 280 pound frame was not.
My feet came out from under me. I landed on top of a large
submerged rock, right on my Gepe.
Like
most photographers would do once regaining a normal
position, even soaking wet, I checked my camera. Everything
was OK.
I
then thought of the Gepe. My first thought was I hope
it is as good as they say. |
|
 |
The cards where safe and dry even after being
impacted while it was submerged. Everything downloaded fine.
We
have an expression where I come from: "This is better
than sliced bread." That is how I feel about my Gepe
and will never be without it. This is one outstanding piece
of photographic equipment.
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