Rhys, last time I sent an Email and got an answer, I emailed weeks before the end of the backorder, and was answered after the website had been updated. Then, my second Email is still waiting for an answer, which I guess will come along with the shipment confirmation ( which will make the answer itself useless ). That's what kills on their service :|
But I haven't seen a single complain on someone buying and not getting the device, so, as long as it arrives and it works, I'll be happy. If it doesn't work, I'll make sure to bitch a lot about it :P
JessicaLuchesi wrote:
We have batteries in Brazil, and they do sell in drugstores. What I meant to test will be if regular batteries, those you can find in any newspaper stand or drugstore, will start the HD80 or not.
I tried fresh AA alkalines (Energizer Max, exp. 2012) and one full 4GB Extreme III card downloaded fine. However, the second download would not start due to low battery power. This is not surprising given the high current drain of the device. The L91 (primary lithium) AA cells are a viable option, but too expensive for routine use. I plan to keep a set of lithium cells in the camera bag for emergency use in case the NiMH cells are unexpectedly depleted. The won't expire until 2021, probably longer than when I will expire.
I have ordered mine on March 9th. So let's see who's receiving it first.
I have also sent some emails to these guys whithout any answers.
John
I hope we get it at the same time John, which means, SOON!!!! No Emails yet from Sanho telling if it's shipped or not, the website still has the same backorder notice. I guess the deliveries should start today.
EB and Rhys, thanks. Yeah, that's my plan. I mean, having to dump one last card, and your rechargeable batteries died, knowing if I can still be able to do it, with regular batteries. That was one big atraction towards the HD80 over the Wolverine. That, and a reseller stating Wolverines are a bad buy :|
Same here, but I got now a reply to my EMail sent on the 6th :| The support contact, Valerie, said they are having EMail server problems. I hope to get the shipment confirmation today or tomorrow on the very least, because I was expecting to have it around here by this week :|
If by tomorrow, when I get home, I have no position by Sanho regarding my purchase, even if that is "We will only be able to ship it after the 30th of this month", I will have to ask Paypal for a full refund.
I want the unit, I'm willing to wait a bit, but I guess this backorder may be the backorder where their whole improvised structure imploded. As long as I get the unit, I'll be happy, if I don't get it and I have to cancel the order, I'll bitch like hell about this company for the rest of my days :|
I did it the easy way; bought one from another FMer on the B&S forum....took all of a week for my money order to get to Hawaii and the HyperDrive to arrive in Arkansas
Well, all the bitching on the forum and Email aparently worked. I got a reply from their support ( surprise! Within the one business day promiss ) that my order is being processed already, and I will get a confirmation on the shipment today.
Considering it's true, and they're following the backorder natural order of placement, my order # is 952. Maybe that will help you position yourself regarding when yours should be in your way.
The Hyperdrive website has been updated and now shows a backorder date of April 5. Hyperdrive also posted in the DPR Storage and Media board recently about a server problem in regards to email, so he's still out there. I guess the bottom line is that if you want a Hyperdrive, order it and wait patiently in line for it.
On a totally unrelated note, is anyone else having trouble with the FM Forum site running as slow as molasses at times? I'm on DSL and all other sites seem to be running at a normal speed.
Yea! Got an email that they are sending screws out to me. Thank you Hyperdrive!
BTW, it is an excellent product. I was playing with it the other night (albeit without screws) and the interface is so simple and while it might take some getting used to, I copied and verified 800MB from an old, slow 1GB SD card and it took only a few minutes. The included 2300mah batteries wore down more than I thought they would but I've purchased some better 2500mah Powerex batteries that will do a much better job I'm sure.
talman wrote:
Yea! Got an email that they are sending screws out to me. Thank you Hyperdrive!
BTW, it is an excellent product. I was playing with it the other night (albeit without screws) and the interface is so simple and while it might take some getting used to, I copied and verified 800MB from an old, slow 1GB SD card and it took only a few minutes. The included 2300mah batteries wore down more than I thought they would but I've purchased some better 2500mah Powerex batteries that will do a much better job I'm sure.
You might want to condition the 2300s in an external battery charger.
I did condition them using my newly purchased Maha MH-C801D charger and surprisingly enough it took less than 1 hour to do the conditioning on them. But the first set of batteries died before I could finish copying over the 800MB. The hyperdrive shut down and gave battery power error. I put some blame on myself since I put the batteries in the Hyperdrive and left them in for a day and a half before testing the transfer. The next set that I soft conditioned in the Maha had just gone down to one tick left on the display when 800MB finished copying/verifying.
I'll have to try the Powerex and the 2700mah Sanyo's that I purchased and see how they fare.
I've been using Powerex 2500s successfuilly in the HD80. I only had the patience to test the HD80 with them for 20gb on on single charge before deciding that the power use was excellent (still had a charge when I gave up). I have never used the HD80 to charge the batteries, so I can't comment on the effectiveness of the HD80 as a charger.
No Emails yet from Sanho telling if it's shipped or not, the website still has the same backorder notice. I guess the deliveries should start today.