THE COMPACTDRIVE PD7X:
Portable storage and memory card backup device with up to100 GB capacity.
The advantage above other current (November 2004) devices are the following: faster, normal batteries, compact housing, ease of use (also as an external USB 2.0 hard drive) and a longer lifetime on batteries.
It is a portable storage device for digital pictures and/or other files. Can be used with memory cards having any of the current storage capacities (including FAT32 cards) larger than 2MB. Works on 4 AA size Alkaline or rechargeable batteries (included). It copies relatively fast (3.30 min for copying and verifying 1GB CF to the PD7X, 3 min for copying 1GB of data from a 4200rpm HD to the PC). Build in verification which compares the copied files with the originals on the memory card. It has an nice aluminium housing.
The only thing some competitors have that is absent on this little marvel is an mp3 playback function. However this function is usualy pretty useless (like wit the Vosonic VP300 and VP3320) as in these systems the power lasts only 1.5 hours and the playback software is quite challenged.
Mine was delivered including 4 rechargeable batteries and a screwdriver to install the hard drive. Using a 4200rpm 2MB 60GB Toshiba drive it managed to transfer with a rate of ~5.5 MB/s from the HD to the PC and ~4.8 MB/s from PC to the HD using a USB 2.0 connection.
Here you can find an "InkoopActie" for NL and BE: http://www.inkoopacties.net/ia/dgjbw49q
A link to the manufacturer (software and firmware updates): http://www.3hdigital.com/en/product.htm
A link to a review with some critical points: http://fhoude34.free.fr/PD7x Review.htm
In the review some "BAD" points are discussed, as I was concerned about these I e-mailed the manufacturer:
My questions:
I'm considering your product the Compactdrive PD7X and I'm
wondering if you can tell me what the voltage tolerance of this product is. My
Digital camera uses a 12V 1A charger which I also use with my current VOSONIC
X's-drive which can also use 12V as a charger.
As most electronics have a certain voltage tolerance I'm hoping that the PD7X
can also cope with this voltage safely as it would save me some weight when
travelling with only 1 adapter.
Furthermore I've read in some reviews that an over voltage from the batteries
could damage the hard-drive. Has a voltage regulator to prevent this been
implemented in a newer version or are you planning to do so in the near future ?
The answer:
The CompactDrive can use an AC adapter from 6V to 12V when CompactDrive works with a memory card. But if you want to use the CompactDrive as a charger to recharge your batteries you must use the 7V DC input.
If your batteries voltage is out of range the PD7X will shutdown and report No.-00 error. The hard drive will not be damaged. Please refer the attachment.
The attached file (PDF) was full of asian characters; this is what I could make of it:
A table for 2.5" IBM hard drives:
Emergency unload (for when the voltage becomes to low):
Data safety (or how about the power to the HD):
Specifications:
|
Memory cards supported |
|
|
LCD Display |
Zwart/wit LCD, displays: |
|
Hard Disk |
All 2,5" Hard disks |
|
DC Power |
4 x AA batteries |
|
Max. battery power |
up to 25Gb with a single full charge (2300 mAh NiMH batteries) |
|
Interface |
USB 2.0 |
|
OS support |
Windows 98/98SE, Windows 2000 (with driver), Windows ME, Windows XP, Mac OS 9.0 and up |
|
Accessories |
Manual, CD-ROM, USB cable, AC/DC adapter, carrying bag, car charger |
|
Weight |
270 gr. (including HDD) |
|
Size (L*B*H) |
132 x 83 x 33 mm |
|
Storage temperatures |
- 40 tot 70 degrees Celsius |
|
Usage temperatures |
0 tot 70 degrees Celsius |
|
| |
|
File systems |
FAT 12/16 or FAT 16/32 (depending on firmware used) |