Posted: 1/10/2005 3:49:07 PM EDT
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Thoughts/opinions/suggestions? I'm going to be heading to the sandbox yet again. I'm looking for a fairly large capacity device to store data on...mainly mp3's and videos and stuff. dvd's and cd's won't cut it. I've pretty much decided on a USB hard drive. But there's two i've found: mini-externals that require no external power, and regular sized drives that require external power. Now, being in the sandbox, the less i have to plug in, the better. But is it worth the extra cost? a 60 gig mini is $250 at the bx, but a 160 gig standard size is $175. Not having to find an extra outlet is a big plus, but is there any difference in performance or service life? less plugs=less space for sand to get in, less cords to get lost or damaged, etc. Thoughts? |
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Oh, I don't know about that. Battlehardened iPod? :) I've heard that drives with smaller diameter platters are more rugged.. cause their smaller and more tollerent to shock. 2.5 inch drives si what I'm thinking of, from laptops. blog of ipod in jordan I don't know. Sry. |
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Hmm... gonna have to look into the ipod deal. I've heard reports that their batteries suck. That and having to deal with a power supply is not really good. sometinhg USB powered would be ideal. Can these things be used as standard hard drives too? Definitly worth looking into. FWIW, i went with a SanDisk FireLite 80gig. Foudn it online for $189. No external power needed. Only opening is a USB port. I figure this is the best option. No extra holes to get sand filled. No extra power supply needed. |
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No offense but I hope you triple-checked you were ordering a USB 2.0 drive versus FireWire... The only issue at the top of my head is that being a USB 2.0 bus-powered device, it will only work on powered USB 2.0 ports. Not a deal-breaker, just a limitation to keep in mind...you won't notice it as long as you are attaching it to USB ports connected directly to a system or powered hub...but in an unpowered hub it would most likely not work. Looking at pictures it doesn't appear to be the most shock protected, and could very well have a few ventilation slits big enough for sand and grit to enter. I'd consider crafting a custom dry-hardbox for it with a rubber-covered opening for the USB port. Looks like you got a good price though, stay safe in the sandbox... |
| I would think an IPOD and USB flash drive combo would be about ideal. Use the flash drive for Data, and the ipod for music. Ipods are alot more durable than they get credit for, and the batteries are much improved over the originals.. USB flash drives are pretty durable, too. |
I've seen Winchester small 4x6" aluminum pistol cases at Scheels. Perfect size for that hard drive. I am concidering picking one up for transporting it. |
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NAM, You also might want to check out the "solid state" HDDs that are starting to appear now as USB2.0 devices intended for the laptop market. I'm not sure what the guts of them are, but if they're at all like Compact Flash or Microdrive, they're just about bulletproof....Besides the size factor, AFAIK, there are no platters or other moing parts to get filled up with sand or dust. |
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