Portable Hard Drive: How Easy?

[Night Owl]

I'm taking a cruise in September, bracketed by a few days in Vancouver and a few more in Alaska (Denali). Not wanting to drag my laptop all over creation, I'm looking for a portable hard drive. But I'm not quite clear on how they work.

How do file transfers work? USB between the camera and drive? Plug the card into a reader, plugged into the drive? Osmosis? Or will I need to track down a computer to transfer?

Also, are there any recommendations or brands to avoid?

Thanks.

[debbry531]

I have the Colorspace UDMA -- you just plug the card right into it. I don't use it all that much, but I have been happy with it when I do use it (and I'll be taking it with me next month when I'm on one of those Alaskan cruises!).

[mmuhlenkamp]

You have to get a card reader hard drive (like what Debbie mentioned), with just a regular portable hard drive you need a computer in between to copy files over. I got a 80GB SmartDisk PhotoBank for pretty cheap a couple years back, it worked fine for when I really needed it (a week long trip to Maine), but noticed not too long ago that the CF card reader no longer works. It still works through the USB so it's not a complete failure, but I can no longer transfer files computer free.

[dartlrt]

Since you are looking at doing this for a single trip you might be better off spending your money on additional memory cards.

[Howard Barlow]

Originally Posted by mmuhlenkamp

You have to get a card reader hard drive (like what Debbie mentioned), with just a regular portable hard drive you need a computer in between to copy files over. I got a 80GB SmartDisk PhotoBank for pretty cheap a couple years back, it worked fine for when I really needed it (a week long trip to Maine), but noticed not too long ago that the CF card reader no longer works. It still works through the USB so it's not a complete failure, but I can no longer transfer files computer free.

Melissa,
I have the same unit. Have you tried formatting it? If not, before you do, go get the FAT32 file from SMartDisk. Otherwise, it no worky after format. I found that out in Russia.

[Jim Victory]

There is several PSDs available that have built in card readers and run on batteries. I use a 80GB in the field for back up even though I carry a large number of cards too.

Its nice in case you lose a card, you just filled, while shooting. I usually download it to my laptop and an additional USB external drive when I get back to my room.

Check out some of the reviews for PSDs to see what is reliable. I bought mine several years ago and other than the need to reformat every once in awhile it has worked great.

[Night Owl]

Thanks a million, folks.

[Night Owl]

Looking around, I think I'm going to pick up a Wolverine PicPac II 250GB. The Colorspace looks great, but is a little out of my budget. Also, I'm just looking strictly for storage. I don't need to review or organize.

The Wolverine ESP looks even better (though just about as pricey as the Colorspace), but doesn't support the 50D for some stupid reason.

EDIT: Meh...for a little more than the PicPac and significantly less than the others, I think I'll just swing by Microcenter and grab a refurb'ed netbook. Thanks again for the suggestions.

[KenJulio]

I would not recommend the Wolverine, primarily because the battery life is horrific compared to the Colorspace. The Colorspace, the harddrive is user removable, the Wolverine if I'm not mistaken is not. So, if you want to swap harddrives, you just need to use the supplied screwdrive to open the case up. I've bought 3 Colorspaces and but not to replace a previous one, but as gifts and well one for myself. The first one purchased is 3 years old and going strong. It was given to my mother and it's been to across Europe and Asia with my parents. She also thought she needed another harddrive, so she hastily bought the Wolverine and has regretted making that purchase. The other 2, one is mine, which went to and across China with me and the other was gifted.

As the kiddos would say, Colorspace FTW!