Can any of your recommend a reliable and affordable backup drive for compact flash cards while in the field? Right now I'm looking at the Nexto but I'm wondering if there is anything that is a bit more affordable while still reliable.
Posted by John Mumaw on October 1, 2010 at 4:36 PM
Nexto sounds awfully expensive for a portable stirage drive without a viewer.
For $219, the 500GB PhotoSafe II looks like a fine option. You can check out reviews at that page.
I agree John, it sounds very expensive. On the positive side is that it is supposed to be extremely reliable. Before I posted this I checked the reviews on Amazon for the device you recommended and it sounds like there have been problems with files being corrupted. The story of one guy who used it really scared me away from it.
Posted by Drew Fulton on October 1, 2010 at 6:36 PM
Erik, I can't commnet on any of the modern devices but have used two of the early devices a number of years ago. I started with an off brand one and had battery & power issues (can't even remember the name now) and then I used an Epson 2000 for a couple years. It was great and while a little slow, I stopped using it when I moved up to larger cards. I think it was like a 20 or 40 GB drive... My 16GB cards make it a bit of a joke now.
Two things to consider... One, being able to review the images on a screen is nice (you can verify they transferred) but you pay for it with price and battery power usage. Two, battery usage used to be a major issue with these things. Make sure you have plenty of power to download multiple cards and do whatever you need to do with them. If you have to power the thing externally then why not use something like a netbook or a laptop which you may already have...
Drew, those are some very good thoughts. I've thought about just buying a Netbook but I'm worried that it will take a very long time to transfer images as they have very little memory. I really don't want a full on laptop as that costs even more and would get very little use from me. Keep the thoughts coming, I really appreciate all the input!!
I ended up buying a 3 lb netbook (due to my need to submit my newspaper columns while on the road) along with a WD 500gb portable drive. I didn't actually carry the netbook out onto the river on a recent bear photo trip, but three of us used the netbook to download cards each night. Each of us had a portable drive, and backup was a non-issue since we had power each night.
And speaking of power, I get about 11 hours of use before recharging the netbook. I don't recall the exact prices three months later, but I paid something over $300 for the netbook and something over $100 for the portable drive. Best guess between $450 and $550 total. I haven't seen a field-portable backup unit that met my needs as a laptop or had any better battery life.
Thanks Hank! I have a couple more questions for you if you have time. Which netbook did you buy? How much memory does it have? Finally, how long were your average card transfer times with it, 10 minutes, 20 minutes, an hour?
This is the machine I got. I see it's a little higher than I remember, though still under $400. It's got a 250GB hard drive, and of course I'm using a 500GB portable portable drive with it. Long as I'm pointing things out, I see they are linking to a newer model. I don't know a thing about it and don't want to look!
We're using 4GB cards for convenience in burning DVDs and mailing them home when traveling, as yet another backup. As I recall, it's around 15 minutes to download one of those. I haven't used it in a month because it's for travel only, so that says something about my recent schedule, too!
Oh, I went ahead and got the extra 1GB of RAM plus their DVD burner. I'm not using any programs that would tax the RAM, so I don't really think I needed it. But the DVD burner has had a workout.
All in all, I'm really pleased with the little thing. It's so small that it's easy and light to carry, plus the builder has a strong rep. The battery life is a mind blower compared to my Macs. My only beef is the track pad, but a $19 USB wireless mouse from Walmart solved that issue to my satisfaction.
I'm a dedicated Mac-ophile with little patience for PCs, but I need the word processing and wi-fi to go with my photo downloads. That little number has passed my muster on so many counts that I am willing to put up with its operating system. Mac has absolutely nothing in its line to compare.
I just hope my fellow Macolites don't read my confession!
Posted by Jim DeWitt on October 2, 2010 at 1:44 AM
Erik -
Unlike some others, I do take my laptop with me in the field. It's a MacBook Pro, about three years old, rock-solid and has never given me any trouble. It's been to the Amazon basin, Papallacta Pass at 14,400 feet, Barrow, Alaska and spent two weeks in the Yukon National Wildlife Refuge, running off of solar chargers. For backup I use an armored LaCie STarck 500GB drive, a bargain at $99. I backup to a set of flash drives, too, and pack them in my suitcase.
Posted by Ron McCombe on October 2, 2010 at 4:41 AM
Hi Eric
I'm in the UK, portable devices are very important to me. I use the Epson P5000 which has a memory of 80GB which is enough for a days shooting usually. I have three spare batteries for it to be sure I get through the day. This takes care of the power issue, and a car charger to charge batteries up if I'm on a longer trip.
Its not cheap at around £500 GB but it fits into a pocket and I get to view my images there and then.
I carry my laptop in my car and transfer my images from the days shooting to a laptop (macbook pro) which I can also charge in car, and in the evenings I transfer the images to a back-up 1TB hard drive
Ive had the Epson P5000 for over four years now, I load a card into it and upload the images whilst shooting another.
It sounds a bit complicated but it just evolved as the years have gone by.
Its a system I have used for a number of years now, but it works for me. If I was starting again I might do things differently
I use the Vosonic 8160. It is a very good device and it comes in several hard drive versions. I use the 250 GB. It has a pretty good LCD screen and you can also magnify your images. Vosonic has a forum, where there is also professional help from Vosonic, just in case there is a problem. So help is quite close by. I am quite satisfied with the device. It is small, it has big storage and as an additional feature you can use it as an MP# en MP4 player and as a radio receiver.
Good luck on your choice
Betty-Lou
Posted by Keith Bauer on October 2, 2010 at 6:50 PM
I also use the Hyperdrive. I bought the shell from the company and a 320 GB Hitachi Travelstar HD and put it in myself. Took about 10 minutes and saved about $90. The new UDMA model is very fast. Back at the camp or hotel I back up the Hyperdrive to my lap top.
Those Netbooks are looking better and better. Last year I couldn't find one with more than a Gig of RAM and 160 Gig HD. Maybe I had better think about replacing my lap top????
Those Netbooks are looking better and better. Last year I couldn't find one with more than a Gig of RAM and 160 Gig HD. Maybe I had better think about replacing my lap top????
I know you're kidding, but I have to say "In your dreams." Handy as my netbook is and however well it suits my travel needs beyond file backup.... Not. It's stays safely stored any time I'm at home.
Discussion
15 repliesFor $219, the 500GB PhotoSafe II looks like a fine option. You can check out reviews at that page.
Two things to consider... One, being able to review the images on a screen is nice (you can verify they transferred) but you pay for it with price and battery power usage. Two, battery usage used to be a major issue with these things. Make sure you have plenty of power to download multiple cards and do whatever you need to do with them. If you have to power the thing externally then why not use something like a netbook or a laptop which you may already have...
Drew
I ended up buying a 3 lb netbook (due to my need to submit my newspaper columns while on the road) along with a WD 500gb portable drive. I didn't actually carry the netbook out onto the river on a recent bear photo trip, but three of us used the netbook to download cards each night. Each of us had a portable drive, and backup was a non-issue since we had power each night.
And speaking of power, I get about 11 hours of use before recharging the netbook. I don't recall the exact prices three months later, but I paid something over $300 for the netbook and something over $100 for the portable drive. Best guess between $450 and $550 total. I haven't seen a field-portable backup unit that met my needs as a laptop or had any better battery life.
This is the machine I got. I see it's a little higher than I remember, though still under $400. It's got a 250GB hard drive, and of course I'm using a 500GB portable portable drive with it. Long as I'm pointing things out, I see they are linking to a newer model. I don't know a thing about it and don't want to look!
We're using 4GB cards for convenience in burning DVDs and mailing them home when traveling, as yet another backup. As I recall, it's around 15 minutes to download one of those. I haven't used it in a month because it's for travel only, so that says something about my recent schedule, too!
Oh, I went ahead and got the extra 1GB of RAM plus their DVD burner. I'm not using any programs that would tax the RAM, so I don't really think I needed it. But the DVD burner has had a workout.
All in all, I'm really pleased with the little thing. It's so small that it's easy and light to carry, plus the builder has a strong rep. The battery life is a mind blower compared to my Macs. My only beef is the track pad, but a $19 USB wireless mouse from Walmart solved that issue to my satisfaction.
I just hope my fellow Macolites don't read my confession!
Unlike some others, I do take my laptop with me in the field. It's a MacBook Pro, about three years old, rock-solid and has never given me any trouble. It's been to the Amazon basin, Papallacta Pass at 14,400 feet, Barrow, Alaska and spent two weeks in the Yukon National Wildlife Refuge, running off of solar chargers. For backup I use an armored LaCie STarck 500GB drive, a bargain at $99. I backup to a set of flash drives, too, and pack them in my suitcase.
I'm in the UK, portable devices are very important to me. I use the Epson P5000 which has a memory of 80GB which is enough for a days shooting usually. I have three spare batteries for it to be sure I get through the day. This takes care of the power issue, and a car charger to charge batteries up if I'm on a longer trip.
Its not cheap at around £500 GB but it fits into a pocket and I get to view my images there and then.
I carry my laptop in my car and transfer my images from the days shooting to a laptop (macbook pro) which I can also charge in car, and in the evenings I transfer the images to a back-up 1TB hard drive
Ive had the Epson P5000 for over four years now, I load a card into it and upload the images whilst shooting another.
It sounds a bit complicated but it just evolved as the years have gone by.
Its a system I have used for a number of years now, but it works for me. If I was starting again I might do things differently
Good luck
Ron
I use the Vosonic 8160. It is a very good device and it comes in several hard drive versions. I use the 250 GB. It has a pretty good LCD screen and you can also magnify your images. Vosonic has a forum, where there is also professional help from Vosonic, just in case there is a problem. So help is quite close by. I am quite satisfied with the device. It is small, it has big storage and as an additional feature you can use it as an MP# en MP4 player and as a radio receiver.
Good luck on your choice
Betty-Lou
http://www.hypershop.com/category-s/119.htm
Those Netbooks are looking better and better. Last year I couldn't find one with more than a Gig of RAM and 160 Gig HD. Maybe I had better think about replacing my lap top????
I know you're kidding, but I have to say "In your dreams." Handy as my netbook is and however well it suits my travel needs beyond file backup.... Not. It's stays safely stored any time I'm at home.