| Memory card to CD, and
other portable storage options |
|
OK,
it looks like the Apacer Disc Steno finally has some competition,
although this one also looks a little bulkier than I'd have
expected:
Hama
Mobile DataSafe
(not sure who the OEM is though, Hama are a distributor/reseller
as far as I know)
There's also the Nixvue Vizor, I haven't seen any prices for it
yet, but the fact that firmware updates are available implies that
someone must have one ;-)
nixvue.com/products/vizor/index.html
Oh, and I also found a new (to me) PHD:
Buslink
7-in-1
-------------------------
- Technical travel question? Try My
Phones, Cameras and Computers FAQ |
|
| 1. |
|
Apple
have launched an iPod storage adapter that allows transfer direct
from memory cards to an iPod:
iPod
reader
I thought that was most of the PHD manufacturers out of business
for a moment, then I saw the size of the reader - it's bigger than
the iPod itself!?!
For other options, why not have a look at the Storing Digital
Images section of my FAQ:
-------------------------
- Technical travel question? Try My
Phones, Cameras and Computers FAQ |
|
| 2. |
|
Another
new PHD option:
Archos
Gmini120
It's modular and is also an MP3 player, they claim it's the
smallest device of its type. Only 20Gb though. I think they're
using a 1.8" HD, if so it might be upgradeable to 40Gb
if you don't mind voiding your warranty ;-)
Useful feature - it also allows recording, from external sources
and the internal (probably optional) FM radio.
-------------------------
- Technical travel question? Try My
Phones, Cameras and Computers FAQ |
|
| 3. |
|
Jessops
(UK) now stock a range of mono and colour PHDs and standalone
CD-writers - including the Apacer Disc Steno CP100, the new Apacer
Disc Steno CP200 and the Nixvue
Vizor. I haven't seen them in my local store though, so
they're probably mail order only...
The Apacer Disc Steno CP200 adds disc spanning, so if you have a
1Gb card you can record across more than one CD. More info here: Apacer.com
-------------------------
- Technical travel question? Try My
Phones, Cameras and Computers FAQ |
|
|
|
|
|
| 6. |
|
Very
nice new MP3 player and PHD with colour screen (DIVX capable),
looks like it only supports MMC/SD though:
Thomson
Lyra PDP2860
(you'll need Shockwave Flash to read the page though)
-------------------------
- Technical travel question? Try My
Phones, Cameras and Computers FAQ |
|
| 7. |
|
| Smart
Disk has a new one, 80GB Flashtrax, see smartdisk.com |
|
| 8. |
|
| I
bought a Nixvue Vista (30gb) and have been using it when I don't
want/need to travel with a laptop. It's decent, but still feels
sketchy to have irreplaceable files on it without a backup. |
|
|
|
| 10. |
|
I'd
like to hear replies from people who have PHDs and have really
tested them on the road. I saw one person's post on another thread
that said he had one he'd used for over 3 years. I'm still
concerned about reliability. Many of these use standard laptop
hard drives, right? Being a computer service technician, I see A
LOT of laptops come in with failed hard drives, and the majority
of those are from people who've been traveling. I also read the
thread about protecting against theft...another concern. I guess
what I'm worried about most is losing all my pictures (either from
hardware failure or theft). My original idea was to burn my pics
to CD as I went and send the CDs home so even if I lost one or two
CDs, at least I wouldn't lose all my pictures.
That new FlashTrax looks cool! If it was less expensive, I think
I'd have to get it...
-------------------------
Just Do It! |
|
| 11. |
|
Swoosh,
if they have HDs in them then they're using standard laptop drives
- generally either 2.5" or 1.8". You do realise that
many of the products I've listed are standalone CD-writers don't
you?
Currently I use an ultraportable laptop for my travel storage, and
it's proved to be reliable so far - for reference it's a Sony Vaio
PCG-C1F (trouble is, as shipped it only has a 4.3Gb HD)
-------------------------
- Technical travel question? Try My
Phones, Cameras and Computers FAQ |
|
| 12. |
|
Ya,
I did make it sound like the portable CD-burner would be the
perfect solution, huh? Sorry I didn't mention they seem more bulky
in size than I'd wish to carry around (though I can't say I've
used one to verify). No one has mentioned their PHD failing yet,
so maybe I'll check out the various models and get one of those.
-------------------------
Just Do It! |
|