card reader portable storage

I have been looking at this product as a easy way to back up while out and about. Looks small and easy to carry around.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...PACE_UDMA.html

Any thoughts from people that have used this product?

Thanks Tom

I have not used this particular device Tom. But I can see a ton of advantages for using one; IF you are shooting in difficult conditions and cannot ofload to a PC laptop. I would just be concerned about what hard drive in in the device to start out with. Since it is replacable, the HD, you might want to ask what brand is in it. Constant use in dry hot environments will hasten the life of the HD. It is however a great concept. If you buy and use it, please let us know how it performs will you.

I have a couple of devices like these, though not this one (for example I have an Epson, P5000 (I think that is the model #)). I haven't used them in years.

A couple of questions. For the $300+ this costs, how much memory card space would that give you and would that be enough to cover you on a trip? (I carry 300+ Gbytes of CF cards on a big trip). If you want a backup, would a netbook give you more options for not that much difference in price. I found the devices like you show limiting in one aspect: if your card is not full, and you back it up, then fill the card and back that up, you have two copies of some of the files, thus wasting space. With a netbook, you can select what you download so manage your images better. Also, one can name directories so you remember what you did when (e.g. alaska.bears.09.15.2011.am). With the card reader device, the ones I have make some directory name you have no control over.

Before buying, I would see what the real data throughput is, both in reading the card, and reviewing images. I found the device I have before the Epson, very painfully slow, and the Epson, just painfully slow. Also, does the device allow backup to a USB hard drive (the epson does)?

An up and coming option are tablets, an external USB drive and USB reader

I've moved to small light laptops (3.5 pounds or less). But for really weight-limited trips, I would probably go with no computer device and enough cards, just review on camera.

Roger

Tom,

I have the largest version of this (650gb) and it has worked OK so far, it is also remarkably fast around 8 minutes to back up and verify a 16GB card.

If you intend to use the screen for anything other than looking,then it is nowhere near the quality of the Epson machine, but given the price (less than half) and the fact that I get 4 times as much storage, I am not complaining.

Thanks All. I will have weight restrictions and it was a overseas trip coming up that I had in mind. I may put the money into extra CF cards instead, reveiw on camera and just back up to my laptop at the end of each day.

I have two Sanho devices, and am fairly happy. I have two for duplicate backups, in case of a fault which is exactly what happened with one of them on my last Zambian safari, one failed to power up. I was able to still swap hard drives on the remaining unit so my images were stored on two drives in case a drive failed too. The failed unit was repaired under warranty on my return to Australia, had to send it to China.
The units are fast to backup, slow to view images and the screen is very ordinary. Their best feature is a Recovery option, that can find and recover images on a formatted or corrupted memory card. They can also connect to an external hard drive via an 'on-the-go' (OTG) adapter and back itself up that way. Battery life is excellent, and self contained so great when in remote locations, and charges via USB (or portable power like a PowerGorilla or MiniGorilla), or by car charger adapter.
Also to note is that it is much cheaper to buy the bare units and install your own hard drive. From memory they can only have 750Gb max as larger drives are physically thicker and won't fit.
I bought direct from www.hypershop.com.

Thanks for you thoughts also Jim - B & H are selling memory cards at a good discount so have just bought some more Sandisk CF cards. While I like to support Australian businesses were I can I cannot pass up the 50% cost saving when compared to Aus suppliers - including shipping thrown in. I bought a couple of CF cards at around $80 US each and the shops over here are selling them at $165.00 each. We are paying top dollar for photo gear. While I appreciate that B & H has huge buying power I cannot understand how we are paying so much for photo gear especialy accessories.