CF backup devices?

[Scott1970]

I am considering picking up a device to back up my CF cards when i am doing an important shoot, or on vacation. I have never actually had a CF card fail on me, taking important images with it, but I consider myself lucky, and would rather be able to back up my images in the field before I return home.

Some of the possibilities I'm considering include:

• ASUS Eee PC netbook: 250 GB, $367.54
• Epson P-7000 storage device: 160GB, $698.99
• Sanho HyperDrive COLORSPACE UDMA: 160GB, $314.95

I like dedicated devices generally, as they ought to be faster, less bulky, lighter, and have card readers built in.

Independent of price, my pick would probably be the Epson, but it's twice the price of the Asus or Colorspace devices!

The colorspace device reviews seem to be much more inconsistent than those for the Epson: many negative reviews.

The Asus has the benefit of providing much more functionality -- plus, the screen is big enough to help decide which photos can be tossed before you even get home. -- if it came with an integrated CF card reader, I'd probably get it in a heartbeat.

What device(s) do you use to back up (and review) images in the field? How do you like them? What are the strengths and weaknesses?

[toverman]

I've heard only one bad thing about the Epsons: the cost. I'd say go with the one with the most storage; the inaccuracies while viewing on the device shouldn't be a big deal if your primary goal is simply to back up cards.

[johnastovall]

LL on Hyperdrive.

Get a shell and add your own drive.

[Dobick]

how about getting a netbook with a big harddrive?

For the price you are looking at a netbook would fit in nicely, and you could have a whole lot more functionality than just storage.

Another option would be a low priced netbook and external harddrive.

The idea of a device only dedicated to doing one thing like the ones you have listed seem over priced to me.

quick look at tiger direct found this:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...207&CatId=4953

[Tom]

I have a netbook and planned to use it for this, but I ended up just using my MacBook Pro for everything.

[bondarnes]

There is also the Belkin Burnaway that will burn memory cards to a DVD for around $350.00. I have used one for the last five years and have been pleased with it. If your cards are larger than 4 gig It will take more than one DVD.

[Scott1970]

I went with the ASUS Eee 1005PE.

• 1.66GHz Intel N450 Atom Processor
• 1GB DDR2 RAM, 1 SODIMM Slot, 2GB Max
• 250GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM) + 500GB Free Web Storage; Chiclet Keyboard; 0.3MP Webcam
• 10.1-Inch Color-Shine 1024X600 WSVGA LCD Display; 802.11 b/g/n; Bluetooth Enabled
• Windows 7 Starter Operating System; High Capacity 6 Cell Battery for up to 14 Hours of Battery Life

I have a spare license for Windows 7 Professional 32-bit, and I ordered a 2GB RAM upgrade.

It seems none of the netbooks or laptops come with a built-in CF card reader, so I also got the SanDisk Extreme card reader.

I should be able to run Adobe LightRoom 2.0 on this, allowing me to back up CF cards, and also review images, allowing me to winnow out obvious junk before I get home.

It's 2.8 lbs, and the battery lifetime (user reviews say that 8-10 hours under normal usage is expected) is a big plus. Plus, my company provides data services on my BlackBerry, so I can tether to it when I can't find a WiFi signal.

[ngoduyviet]

Your LR will have a hard time rendering previews with this system if you shoot Raw. Replace the hdd with a ssd and it'll be better unless you don't mind waiting or shoot jpeg.

Originally Posted by Scott1970

I went with the ASUS Eee 1005PE.

• 1.66GHz Intel N450 Atom Processor
• 1GB DDR2 RAM, 1 SODIMM Slot, 2GB Max
• 250GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM) + 500GB Free Web Storage; Chiclet Keyboard; 0.3MP Webcam
• 10.1-Inch Color-Shine 1024X600 WSVGA LCD Display; 802.11 b/g/n; Bluetooth Enabled
• Windows 7 Starter Operating System; High Capacity 6 Cell Battery for up to 14 Hours of Battery Life

I have a spare license for Windows 7 Professional 32-bit, and I ordered a 2GB RAM upgrade.

It seems none of the netbooks or laptops come with a built-in CF card reader, so I also got the SanDisk Extreme card reader.

I should be able to run Adobe LightRoom 2.0 on this, allowing me to back up CF cards, and also review images, allowing me to winnow out obvious junk before I get home.

It's 2.8 lbs, and the battery lifetime (user reviews say that 8-10 hours under normal usage is expected) is a big plus. Plus, my company provides data services on my BlackBerry, so I can tether to it when I can't find a WiFi signal.

[Abel]

Scott I know you already bought a device but I thought I would throw this into the mix.

I just bought a HyperDrive Album which is similar to the Epson devices. the case only is $299 and a 500g hard drive from best buy is about $99.

the site shows theyre out of stock but i asked via their chat room thingy and they said they had them available. I ordered on Monday and it came in yesterday.

HyperDrive Album

[mathia]

Another after the fact post...I have an older Epson and absolutely love it. It's great for showing your images on the go, it's not too big and has good battery life. I have been looking to upgrade it, but haven't found anything that I think really compares to it, though I am a bit intrigued by the Hyperdrive device.

[dmcantrell]

I have the Sanho Hyperdrive and have had 0 problems with it, but I take very good care of it. I use it quite often.

[Orogeny]

Originally Posted by johnastovall

LL on Hyperdrive.

Get a shell and add your own drive.

If you don't want the netbook, I second what John wrote. Get the Hyperdrive Colorspace UDMA casing (~$260 with shipping) and a 250GB drive from Newegg (~$46 with shipping). You get a lot of storage for ~$305.

[msk2193]

Apple has a gadget that plugs the card right into the new iPad and downloads all images automatically. The iPad will allow you to preview and show all RAW, TIFF, and JPG images.

[ptrd]

^I could see that being useful, but isn't that a bit pricey if you just want storage?

These pocket viewers can see all those file types as well. Like others have said, it's a lot of storage for $300 bux.

[Scott1970]

Originally Posted by Abel

Scott I know you already bought a device but I thought I would throw this into the mix.

I just bought a HyperDrive Album which is similar to the Epson devices. the case only is $299 and a 500g hard drive from best buy is about $99.

the site shows theyre out of stock but i asked via their chat room thingy and they said they had them available. I ordered on Monday and it came in yesterday.

HyperDrive Album

That looks like another distinct possibility -- if I don't like how the Netbook works, i just may get one of those.