USB2 External HDD

[iceman]

Hi guys.

I'm after some advice on external USB2 HDD's.

I can't get firewire as my laptop doesn't have a firewire port..

I need a faster, bigger harddrive for my imaging.. At USB2, my current harddrive isn't fast enough and drops frames. Plus, I only have about 18gig free which fills up very quickly in one imaging session.

So, what do I need to know about them?

Size? I reckon 80gig+ ..
Cost?
Speed? What speed should I be looking for?
Place of purchase? Any good cheap places?

Advice is appreciated.

I need to get one soon so I can test these USB2 cameras properly.

[RB]

I bought myself a 3.5" HDD USB 2 enclosure a while back and will use a 3.5" Maxtor HDD.
Only thing is you need 240v power.
I was gonna go with 2.5" HDD + enclosure but Houghy put me onto the idea of using a 3.5" HHD+enclosure, as it was cheaper.

Try EYO (http://www.eyo.com.au/), I've used them in the past, very reliable, not sure of their prices now but they were good then.

[Striker]

There is so many to choose from.

A 200 gig wont be much more expensive then a 80 gig so go bigger.

something like these.
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NEW-250GB-USB-2-METAL-EXTERNAL-HARD-DRIVE-5Y-WTY-SLEEK_W0QQitemZ8782168455QQcategory Z111503QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

But their is a lot more to choose from.

[bird]

I've got a ragtag collection of external usb2 drives - three 2.5" drives and two 5.25" drives, all bought on the cheap from the computer markets.

The 2.5" drives are all 80Gb capacity, 4200rpm, which makes them a bit on the slow side but still ok for astronomy.

The 5.25" drives are 160Gb and 200Gb (7200rpm) and require external power. (The 2.5" drives are bus powered off usb).

I'd suggest avoiding enclosures with fans and instead go for all aluminium ones that dissipate heat passively, just make sure you leave them plenty of air. I've had some that had fans in the past and the fans inevitable stop working and the drives overheat and fail.

I don't know how you will go with sharing the usb between the camera and the hard disks, that might be asking for trouble, but I have no problems with combining a firewire camera and usb2 hard drive.

The drives I've measured top out at around 20Mbytes/sec transfer speed, plenty fast enough for some things.

regards, Bird

[iceman]

Is 4200rpm fast enough for 15fps uncompressed with USB2?

I don't have an option of running the camera through one USB port and the HDD through the other.. I hope it works ok.

Thanks for replies, i'll keep an eye on ebay and computer fairs.

[Harlequin]

Last month I purchased a Vantec Nexstar3 3.5" USB 2.0 Black HDD Enclosure for $69.95. I also purchased 250GB Seagate Barracuda 7200RPM (8MB cache) Hard Drive for $140.00, both from www.umart.com.au.

Do a quick search for good deals from local stores at www.staticice.com.au.

Best regards


Daniel.

[iceman]

Thanks guys.

Striker, that one looks good. I've put it in my watch list and might buy that one. Seems like good value, just over $200 shipped.

[Striker]

If you want to save a few more $$$$$ here is another

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Western-Digital-200-GB-USB-2-0-External-Hard-Drive-w-AC_W0QQitemZ8780530302QQcategoryZ11 1503QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

These are run by an another power source which comes with the drive...they dont get thier power from the USB2 connection...just making sure you know what your getting before you buy.

Good value though....try bidding and get it even cheaper.

[iceman]

hmm yeh good point - power isn't an issue for me usually (240v available) so it's probably best to power it externally so there isn't too many demands placed on teh USB.

What does refurbished mean with this one though?

Thanks

[Striker]

Intersting.....probably dioesn't mean much...thier just being honest..but if it worries you dont buy it.

http://www.justdeals.org/jd/condition_detail.htm

[cjmarsh81]

I have had two USB2 external hard disk enclosures. The first which was a shintaro(supposedly a good brand) died after about 12 months. The second is a no-name brand from the computer markets, it cost about half as much as the first and is still going strong. I am currently using a 160GB Hard Disk in it, but you can easily put whatever you want in it. Computer markets are the way to go. I think I paid about $30 for mine and then put my own Hard Disk in it. It is a shame you don't have firewire as I find you get slightly better performance from it. USB2 is up to 480Mbps. Firewire is always 400Mbps.

[RB]

Daniel that's the exact same one I bought but in Midnight Blue, they look awesome don't they, haven't used it yet though, are you happy with yours?

[Harlequin]

I purchased the USB HDD Enclosure to increase my laptop storage. I was concerned with the design due to the lack of fans or grills to increase air flow. However after a month heavy usage, I have found the aluminium case to be efficient in keeping the hard drive cool. This is important to me since loosing 190GB of personal/work backup/data would be quite frustrating to say the least.


Best regards


Daniel.

[iceman]

Would you agree this one has external AC power?

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/New-Vantec-HDD-300GB-3-5-USB2-0-External-Hard-drive-L_W0QQitemZ8781197303QQcategoryZ644 63QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZView Item

It doesn't specifically say it, but the package contents says "Power Adaptor, Power Cable".

[Striker]

They all come with the power adapters Mike.

Looks good...nice looking piece of hardware...postage is expensive though.

Should be around $10-12 postage not $25.

[RB]

Mike that's the exact same one Harlequin and I are talking about.
I bought mine for the same price, $69.95.
It does need a 240v power pack but that's ok and looks great too, mines midnight blue.

The price on that one must include a 300GB HHD I assume.