Thanko's latest USB pen sports four SDHC card slots (just because it can)

As our coverage from 2004 indicates, SD card-reading pens are amongst the oldest, most reverent gadgets on the face of this planet. That said, even they aren't immune from upgrades, as Thanko has just produced one that's approximately four times superior than the one you're still trying to squeeze ink from. It's latest USB pen contains not one, not two, not even three -- but four integrated SDHC card slots. We get the feeling that actually writing anything while transferring data from a foursome of flash cards will be near impossible, but aren't you strangely inclined to hand over ¥1,480 ($14.87) in order to find out?

[Via OhGizmo]

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 5th 2009 9:32AM]

Since nobody has asked yet, what does this do???

[OneLove Posted Mar 5th 2009 10:59AM]

OMG! A super spy pen!

[NHAnimator Posted Mar 5th 2009 12:31PM]

Scores you a cool 60 if thrown correctly.

[flashpoint Posted Mar 5th 2009 9:37AM]

Is it possible to get high capacity SD cards and make a RAID array?

[Setesh Posted Mar 5th 2009 9:42AM]

I've been trying to find something like this for a long time (SDHC raid array, not the pen) so if anyone knows one please hit us up. Well... on second thought just hit flashpoint but I would love some information on it if you got it.

I know there are a couple that are in the form of a sata drive but they aren't cheap and don't allow for Raid 1.

[Dan Fruzzetti Posted Mar 5th 2009 9:49AM]

The pen is mightier than the 0+1 array.

LOL I so totally want a RAID pen.

[Tim Brown Posted Mar 5th 2009 10:15AM]

Whilst I cant find a dedicated solution there are the following two pieces of kit that you could use:

http://www.addonics.com/products/flash_memory_reader/ad2sahdcf.asp
and
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=48016&doy=search

Together they would give you the ability to have 2 sd cards in raid 0 or 1 configurations plugged into an sata controller. Have a look at the first site for an ide controller if you need one.

Total cost is about $110 not including cards though, so not the most cost effective solutions

or you could ditch the adapter and just use two of these beauties, there are rumours that they are going to be releasing 100Gb versions soon.

http://www.pretec.com/epages/Store.storefront/?ObjectPath=/Shops/Store.Pretec/Products/CF233X

giving you a total of 96Gb of storage, its just a tad on the expensive side of things at the moment.

Hope this is of some use.

[jgpuff Posted Mar 5th 2009 10:22AM]

@Seth

I believe that those SATA SDHC hard drive things are always raid 0 because otherwise performance would be terrible. If you're really keen, it's probably best to get 2 of those and raid them in SW or HW yourself. I'm not sure how raid 1 would affect wear levelling though; you might need to do something sneaky to avoid premature killing of your SDHC cards.

[Setesh Posted Mar 5th 2009 11:20AM]

+1 to both of you - thanks

+1 to dan for being absolutely no help at all but still making me lol

[superhobo Posted Mar 5th 2009 9:43AM]

This looks useful...nah

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 5th 2009 10:00AM]

YES!! I've always wanted a pen with wings!

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 5th 2009 10:08AM]

Kinda looks like a dart.

[Piranha Posted Mar 5th 2009 10:21AM]

or Thor's hammer

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 5th 2009 1:49PM]

By Grabthar's hammer... you shall be... avenged.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 5th 2009 2:08PM]

Google translated read link - Husband to be comfortable with moving data. SD card and use only to people in particular are recommended.

My wife and dog will be so disappointed.

[hsevna Posted Mar 5th 2009 10:32AM]

Crapgadget.

[TheCow5 Posted Mar 5th 2009 12:01PM]

I second that

[doubleofive Posted Mar 5th 2009 11:01AM]

Agreed. It looks more like a kitchen spatula or a flyswatter in that picture.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 5th 2009 11:05AM]

Looks like something Inspector Clouseau would be carrying in the Pink Panther 2.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 5th 2009 12:14PM]

whoaaa....

what a pen :)

[Timerider Posted Mar 5th 2009 12:25PM]

It's a satellite w/ solar panels.

[c w j Posted Mar 5th 2009 2:17PM]

DOPE.

add clip it it a chain w. dogtags and you have this season's decorative cross.

too bad they missed fashion week.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 5th 2009 7:56PM]

Steps:
1. Put information on a SD card
2. Plug it into your pen
3. ????????
4. Profit!

[Sairuz Posted Mar 6th 2009 8:17AM]

Fly Like an Eagle !!

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 13th 2009 6:13PM]

I SO needed a laugh or several.
Thanks ya'll so very much!