Anyone looked into these recently?

I'm off on safari later this year and will be taking my 1D, 1DmkII and Ixus 800IS - so I need a portable HDD device that can accept both SD and CF cards. I have an old 20GB Image Tank which has always been reliable, but it's desperately slow and there's no way to check what's on the disc, how much space is left or the state of the battery.

So, I fancy a new one which at least lets me see that information. Likely looking candidates so far are:

- Epson P2000, £269 for 40GB. Looks perfectly OK to me, though apparently the software is stored on the disc, so if that crashes the whole unit has to be sent back for repair.

- Epson P3000, new product £TBD. Replaces the P2000 so likely to be a bit more expensive. Bigger screen, no doubt has other bells & whistles that fall into the category of 'nice' rather than 'essential'.

- Canon M30, new product £TBD. Probably does much the same thing, all my other kit is Canon and I've rarely had much cause for complaint. A bit of an unknown quantity until it's actually launched, though.

- Jobo Giga Vu Pro Evolution 40GB, £360. Frighteningly expensive and ugly, but gets the job done and seems to get good reviews from pro photographers. Overkill?

- One of the many other, cheaper units with no image display. There's plenty of models with a basic LCD which is all I really need, but I do want to be sure of getting one which is fast and gives accurate, clear information on remaining disk and battery capacity.

Any pointers from the experts plesae? :cool:

Ta
Andy.

Have a look at some of the SmartDisk products too


AllanB

A laptop, and edit n post whilst on holiday and annoy the missis!!! :D

I think the choice is between Epson (good storage, great display) and Jobo (good storage, rugged, reliable). I have an Epson P2000 and very happy. Shame the battery compartment broke on recent aircraft ride (still works though) so it may not be the most rugged but it has good storage and superb display, plus options/features. If buying today I would get the new Canon - same technology as Epson but maybe more rugged? Dunno, but I'm a Canon man :D

See Andy Rouse on Warehouse Express Online (http://www.warehouseexpress.com). I'll stick with my Epson - bet you go for Jobo ;)

Richard.

How about a Belkin media reader and an iPod? Cheap and useful for more than just photo storage.

There is an Epson P4000 to with double the capacity

An iPod?

I've got a 40Gb one for £95, which takes all card types.
It's ok, but obiously there's no display for that money, the battery only lets you download about 1-2Gb before needing charging, and last time used it a lot, it got to 11Gb, then said 0%.

Given the prices of good ones, I'm just going to get a £400 laptop instead.

Just ordered the P2000 from Park Cameras - I discovered that it's straightforward to dismantle it, upgrade to a bigger disc and transfer the firmware across. So I have a DIY repair and upgrade plan if the disc crashes, which was my only real concern about it.

It's cheap @ Park too - £269, which is the best price I found anywhere.

ps. it works as an MP3 player too, so I can listen to music on the plane :D

Try This -

Welcome to Transcend Website - (http://www.transcendusa.com/Products/ModDetail.asp?ModNo=104:D)

Go to portable HDD then Storejet OTG.

Bought one of these last week at PC World in Dublin for €50.

Storage > Store and Play > Store and Play 50GB (http://www.packardbell.co.uk/products/store-and-play-50gb/productsheet-C044380001-685.html)

Has an SD and CF card reader, 50GB HDD. It connects to a TV with composite cables or scart. Allow you to store video, photos, music - all of which can be access using its own remote control. No software installation required.

Very impressed so far.

I have one of these EastGear CompactDrive PD70X Portable Storage Device 80GB (5400rpm 8MB) (http://www.eastgear.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=446)

Takes aa rechargeable batteries so easy to change if they run out on you, i always have 4 duracell with me just in case, i can download about 7 or 8 full 2gb cards on a charge too ! no display to show your pics off but the price reflects that, i have found it invaluable.