By the way, about all complaints... I will leave my ( hardly unbiased ) opinions here as well once I have used the device. I won't test and post. It will be simple, fair and square. While it works, I will be happy. Once it fails, I will be pissed like hell. But I can't afford either a notebook, or one of the most expensive devices. And I heard BAD things about the Wolverine unit, the only competitor within the price range. Seriouslly BAD things, like, loosing photos, HDs not working, etc. So, a buck for a buck, provided it does what it claims to do ( transfer photos from my cards, and back to my computer, without loosing any ), hey, I'm a happy camper
I will leave all details of the transaction as it goes on I hope UPS will work smoothly to Brazil, and I pray customs won't touch the parcel ( happens sometimes ).
EB-1 wrote:
Trying everything from 4200 rpm Toshiba to 7200 rpm Seagate, there is only a little difference in performance. I'm curious why you would use a 7200 rpm drive. What is the battery life with the Hitachi?
EB
To be honest... I didn't know that the "RPM" wasn't the major factor for speed. I later found out that the key was the 8MB cache. I could have saved some money buying the 5400rpm. Oh well.
But, I don't find that the major issue is about "what I put in it" but rather is the unit working as advertised... the plain and simple answer... Yes. Like others, EB, I wonder about your seemingly intense search to find something to bash the HD80 about. It seems to me that the cost for these units is relatively low compared to the alternatives available. From the comments on this topic, the majority of users have been happy with their purchase and use of this piece of equipment.
I don't get it
Edited by TheBlacksmith on Mar 13, 2006 at 07:29 AM GMT
GeorgeM wrote:
I'm reading and reading this post. The question I have is how fast does it download to the computer?
I've just aquired a 'new to me' D100 and am shooting RAW. 9+mb files. It takes almost, an, more than, an hour to get the images to my computer with a parallel port card reader.
I have both a need for a faster upload device plus mass storage. This HD/PDx... looks like a good candidate.
George
Hi George, I also shoot RAW and I also needed some way to reduce the Upload time. I uploaded 2GB from the HD80 to my computer in less than 7 mins (as compared to 25mins from CF card to computer).
RPM may be a key factor if you can keep the drive reading in one continuous burst. For that, you need the IO from the device to the computer to be as seamless and fast as possible, just as if the drive was an internal one. For an external USB device, odds are it will work just like a CD or DVD drive, reading lots of information in small bursts, filling up the cache, and then, stopping. Most of the time will be spent transferring from that cache to the computer. Then, when the cache empties or is close to empty, it goes fetch some more data. So, 5400 or 7200 will make drastic diference inside a notebook or a Firewire device, but inside a USB device, my guess is, bigger cache will make longer-lasting transfers and better use of the drive's speed. But it may not be noticeable for the user
I hope I'm right, but this is what makes sense to me
JessicaLuchesi wrote:
.. but inside a USB device, my guess is, bigger cache will make longer-lasting transfers and better use of the drive's speed. But it may not be noticeable for the user
I hope I'm right, but this is what makes sense to me
Jessica, that's exactly the way I understood it as well... only I didn't come to that conclusion until after I had already ordered the 7200rpm HDD.
Danny, you may experience higher speeds from card to computer from a faster reader. My reader ( USB 2.0 ) reads a card into my disk in less than a minute for a 256Mb card... for 1Gb cards into a Mac, it took arond 3 minutes. Odds are, a full 2Gb card will progress into around 7 minutes too. Faster than that, I suggest a really fast Firewire reader, and fast card ( remember, your card becomes the device, and it's reading speed will impact on the transfer rate as much as the card reader and how it's connected to your computer ). It's just like the internal drive in the HD80... it's all about balance. Putting a Ferrari motor inside an old 1970's VW beetle won't turn it into a porche You want fast transfer rates, you need fast components in all parts of the process.
TheBlacksmith wrote:
Jessica, that's exactly the way I understood it as well... only I didn't come to that conclusion until after I had already ordered the 7200rpm HDD.
Well, it won't do any harm anyway And in the future, could allow you to buy a notebook with a smaller 5200 drive and swap
The manual for the PD70X/HD80 points out it uses the cache heavily to boost performance, so getting a drive with the biggest cahce you can is more important than spindle speed.
Checking on a few stores the cost of 2 of the 2500 AA batteries that come with the unit, the cost is around US$13 two batteries. If I take away the cost of 8 batteries here in Brazil, the unit would come at US$52,00 cheaper than what I paid for it :P I guess those batteries aren't that expensive in the US, I was a bit shocked by their cost over here. Maybe I'll sell the extra 4 to make some money, hahahaha
Hey folks, the last backorder is scheduled for shipping tomorrow. Which means, it most probrably WON'T be shipped tomorrow. When exactly was your unit shipped, when you backordered? How many days did they take to ship it? I'm asking because I may have to stay home to wait for the delivery.
I had a fore-runner of this type of unit (a portable HDD back-up for flash media) - made by another company. Forget the name but it sits in a drawer somewhere because if the built-in AAA NiCad battery pack .... which was a TERRIBLE draw-back to using it. That and the transfer speeds were HORRIBLY slow!!
It was also a full size HDD - not a 2.5 inch laptop drive - so it was bloody large to tote around! Just a bad investment on my part ....
This Hyperdrive looks like an incredible device!
As to powering one, DuraCell now makes AA NiMH cells (with their special charger) that FULLY recharges a set of four in 15 minutes!!!!!!!!!!! The means you can plug the charger in an outlet at a bathroom in a Pizza Hut and get food while they get pumped up!
Rgds,
(Also workes in a 12V car system w/ an adapter but will not recharge in 15 minutes)
Well, I ordered the Hyperdrive HD80 unit, not the Eastgear PD7X unit.I read in several forums and the usual consumer outlook is, usually happy with the unit, complaining about lack of responses by the Sanho company. I noticed they only answer to Emails after they start handling the backorders.
Let's see, once mine arrives, I will keep you guys posted on it. About batteries, I will do a test with a few normal non-rechargable sets of batteries from bookstores and bars. Because, that's the most likelly fear scenario... you can't recharge your batteries, all 8 are down, and you still need to transfer one last couple of cards for another couple of hours shooting a beach fashion catalogue before heading towards base-station. Can you walk into any drugstore and get a regular set of batteries? Which kind of batteries? That's the first test I'm gonna do after I check the unit is running
Can you walk into any drugstore and get a regular set of batteries? Which kind of batteries?
You should be able to. We can in the USA anyway.
Most common non-rechargeable models are "alkaline". Some newer models use "lithium"-based technology. Those are also hyped as working better in colder weather - which isn't a problem in most parts of Brasil.
As with most things in life, the cheaper the price, the worse the performance. "Off-brand" batteries with a name not well-advertized are probably suspicious. I haven't bought batteries in Brasil in MANY years but the Varta brand always seemed to work very well for me.
hehehehe