IoSafe Solo 1 TB Fireproof and Waterproof External Hard Drive + 1 Year Data Recovery Service SL1000GBUSB20 (Silver)

by ioSafe

• Protect your photos, music, videos, and business data
• Fireproof up to 1550° F for 1/2 hour per ASTM E120
• Waterproof up to 10 ft depth, 72 hours
• 1 year Data Recovery Service + up to $1000 for forensic data recovery (option to upgrade to 3 or 5 year plan at registration)
• Simple Plug and Play USB 2.0, PC or Mac, 3 year warranty

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 11 x 5 x 7.1 inches ; 15 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 17.3 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B001TNR8EI
• Item model number: SL1000GBUSB20
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (102 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: January 1, 2009

Product Description

Capacity: 1 TB

From the Manufacturer

The ultimate external hard drive backed by the ultimate safety net

ioSafe Solo + Data Recovery Service (DRS)

Like an aircraft black box for your data, the ioSafe Solo and Data Recovery Service together offer you an unparalleled level of data protection. Combining advanced technology and elegant design, the rugged ioSafe Solo delivers an unmatched level of fire and water protection for your digital life at a price everyone can afford. And if the unfortunate happens, the ioSafe Data Recovery Service is there to help restore your disaster exposed data and hardware – no matter the circumstance.

Families, businesses, and enterprises alike turn to the ioSafe Solo and Data Recovery Service for the added peace of mind of knowing their digital lives – their memories, media, portfolios, data, and records – are are protected by the by the ultimate external hard drive and ultimate safety net. The ioSafe Solo protects the memories, media and data you can’t afford to lose, at a price you can afford to pay. How valuable is your digital life?

ioSafe Data Recovery Service (DRS)

Every ioSafe hard drive comes with a three-year limited warranty and one-year of complimentary one time use data and hardware recovery support.

Extend your coverage to three or five years from your hardware product’s original purchase date with the ioSafe Data Recovery Service. You get direct, single point of contact access to ioSafe’s telephone and email recovery support for questions about ioSafe hardware and data recovery. And you get global repair coverage for your ioSafe through convenient service options.

Extend your coverage to three years of service and expert data and hardware recovery support

Or, extend your coverage to five years of service and expert data and hardware recovery support

One point of contact service and support

Because efficiency of communication is vital during a crisis, the ioSafe Data Recovery Service gives you one-stop service and support and a personally assigned Recovery Team Leader who will guide you through the entire recovery process.

• Direct access to ioSafe’s experts – one point of contact
• Global, mail-in repair coverage with free shipping
• One time use, no questions asked, data recovery service
• Free replacement of hardware pre-loaded with recovered data
• Up to $1000 for forensic data recovery

Forensic Data Recovery - Two is better than one

ioSafe’s Recovery experts are able to fully recover the vast majority of disaster exposed drives, but if ioSafe is not able to recover your data in-house, ioSafe will team up with the experts at DriveSavers to help recover your data. The ioSafe Data Recovery Service provides up to $1000 towards extreme recovery efforts.

Any Loss. Any Reason. No Questions Asked.

The ioSafe Data Recovery Service provides a one time use, no questions asked data and hardware recovery service. For any loss, no matter the reason. Whether you’re a victim of a natural disaster or your child throws your drive in the family swimming pool - we’ve got you covered.

Need a few examples? We’ve got that covered too

• Fire damage
• Flood damage
• Accidental damage
• Human error
• Disk failure
• External enclosure failure
• Accidental deletion
• Viruses
• Power failures
• Soda / Juice / Mayple Syrup accident
• Anything you can think of...

Important Notes

The ioSafe Data Recovery Service can be purchased or extended only when your ioSafe hardware is still covered under the original data and hardware recovery support plan. See ioSafe Data Recovery Service Terms and Conditions for complete product details.

Technology

Like other ioSafe products, the Solo uses ioSafe patented technology including:

DataCast™ endothermic fire insulation technology protects your data from extreme heat. The DataCast formulation forms a chemical bond with water molecules that, at temperatures above 160°F, releases water vapor to limit the internal temperature of the unit during a fire.

HydroSafe™ water barrier technology is designed to protect data loss from fresh or salt water damage, including full immersion. While keeping your data dry, the HydroSafe technology still allows the needed heat dissipation required by all computer hardware during normal operation.

FloSafe™ active airflow cooling technology provides cooling airflow through the enclosure and across the disk drives during normal operating conditions. If destructive heat levels are sensed, such as in a fire, the FloSafe vents limit and protect your data from the extreme heat.

Features

• World's most affordable high capacity fireproof and waterproof hard drive
• Fireproof: 1550 F, 1/2 hr per ASTM E119
• Waterproof: Full immersion, 10 ft. 3 days, fresh or salt water
• 1 TB storage capacity
• USB 2.0 interface
• Windows and Mac compatible

Tech Specs

Operational Details

• Single disk, 1 TB storage capacity
• Quiet forced air cooling
• Multi-platform compatibility: Windows and Mac
• Up to 2 TB storage capacity available
• USB 2.0, up to 480Mb/s, 7200 RPM

Disaster & Security Specifications

• Fire protection: 1550F, 30 minutes per ASTM E119
• Flood / submersion protection: to 10 feet water depth, 3 days.
• Tested per UL, FCC and CE Standards
• Proven data protection and recovery. Tested to ASTM E119 standards for fire exposure.
• Physical theft protection: Cable lock or floor Mount capable

Support

• 1 Year Data Recovery Service (1, 3, and 5 year plans available)
• 3 Year standard manufacturer's warranty for defects

Inside The Box

• ioSafe Solo USB External Hard Drive
• USB 2.0 Cable
• Power Supply
• Owners Manual and Warranty

Electrical

• Electrical - AC input
• Voltage: 80 ~ 264 VAC at 50/60 HZ
• Typical Power Consumption: < 25W

System Requirements

• Intel Pentium II 350 MHz-compatible or Mac G3 processor & greater
• Microsoft Windows XP/Vista/7 or Mac OS 8.6 & greater
• USB 2.0 equipped system
• For USB 2.0 speeds, the system must support USB 2.0 specifications

Operating Environment

• Operating: 0-35° C (95°F)
• Non-operating: 0-1550°F, 1/2 hr per ASTM E119
• Operating Humidity: 20% - 80% (non-condensing)
• Non-operating Humidity: 100%, Full water immersion, 10 feet, 3 days.

Physical

• Size: 5.0"W x 7.1"H x 11.0"L
• Weight: 15 lbs

What’s in the Box

ioSafe Solo USB External Hard Drive, USB 2.0 cable, Power Supply, Owners Manual and Warranty

Product Description

Like an aircraft black box for your digital data, the ioSafe Solo is the world's first, high capacity, fireproof & waterproof external hard drive. Using a simple USB 2.0 interface, the ioSafe Solo works with your PC or Mac just like any other USB external hard drive. Compatible with almost all backup programs that work with external hard drives. A combination of patented and patent pending ioSafe technologies work to allow for airflow cooling during normal operation yet protect the data from fire and floods. FloSafe vents are open during normal operation. Active cooling is provided by a near silent fan that drives air through the FloSafe vents. During a fire event, the patented FloSafe vents automatically close to prevent extreme outside heat from damaging the hard disk inside the enclosure. DataCast is our proprietary endothermic insulation that vaporizes embedded water molecules during a fire and works hard to protect the inner hard drive from damage even though the outside temperatures spike to over 1500.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 50 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Working perfectly, super quiet operation, top-notch customer service November 19, 2009

By Suzie Mcleod

Size Name:1.5 TB|Amazon Verified Purchase

I'll try not to just repeat what all the other reviewers have said. I do recall reading several reviews prior to purchasing which mentioned noisy operation, so I wanted to add my two cents' worth in that regard. I've had mine for about 2 weeks now, running constantly. I'm using Mac 10.5.8 (Leopard). It connected immediately, went through very quick and easy steps to format correctly for Mac/Time Machine and it was up and running in less than 2 minutes. My drive sits on a granite surface and it is absolutely silent.

After installation and during the online warranty registration, I called ioSafe to ask a question about upping the disaster recovery and warranty to five years, and I've never had a company rep who was more easily accessible or more courteous. He thanked me several times for purchasing the drive, asked what operating system I was using, just general chit-chat for a couple minutes regarding the drive. I mentioned that the WSJ video was impressive, and he said the guy who did that was sitting right next to him. That started another line of conversation for a couple minutes. It was quite a refreshing change of pace to be able to speak with a live person by inputting just an extension number which was given in information that came with the drive than the norm these days of press this to do this, then that do do that, and so on, ad nauseum.

One additional thing I'd point out is that the drive is not nearly as big as I thought it was going to be, although it does weigh quite a bit so the weight listed is probably in the neighborhood. The Amazon.com product dimensions are incorrect. Their dimensions led me to believe it would be almost the size of a PC CPU, so I was pleasantly surprised.... I've found that at least half the time I can't trust the dimensions and/or weight of products that Amazon gives.

This is a great hard drive, and I would highly recommend it. I don't have any negative comments whatsoever to impart thus far. The test will be in how it holds up over time, but I believe it to be a very well-made drive that I can feel comfortable in putting my family's photographs and videos on for archival storage. Of course, common sense dictates redundancy in archiving important data, but this drive is working wonderfully with Time Machine.

UPDATE 04/04/2011 - Still extremely satisfied with this purchase. I upgraded my Mac to a new 27" version on 01/01/2011 and this HD restored everything beautifully and perfectly from Time Machine. I subsequently had problems with my new Mac and had to have the HD replaced; thereafter, the IOSafe restored my backup perfectly a second and third time. I continue to highly recommend this drive without reservation. IN MY CASE, IT MAKES NO NOISE WHATSOEVER. This must vary, though, as there are other reviewers who mention a noise. Read more ›

64 of 71 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars My Digital Safe October 14, 2009

By Cyber-z

Size Name:1 TB|Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought the 1 TB IoSafe because I wanted a good detachable hard drive that would last. I think it is worth the cost for what you get. The fact that they advertise it to be able to withstand fires, floods and theft seemed like a bit much to me at first, but now it feels more like my personal safe rather than just another computer component: I have downloaded and scanned all of my music and photos; albums, cassettes & CD's along with my important legal documents, tax statements, bank records etc. I placed these items into various partitions that I created. I like it so much I am thinking about purchasing another IoSafe for my DVD collection! My only real complaint would be that it is kind of noisy when it is working. Also, the blue lights in front are pleasing but, the on/off switch is in the back and would be a pain in the neck to turn off and on if you placed it on the floor; which is exactly where something this heavy normally usually goes: However, I placed mine on a glass shelf that's a part of my computer table. I then put a small carpet/rug remnant underneath so it doesn't scratch the glass and it also helps with the noise. The only compromise I am making is that I cannot bolt the safe to the floor. There is a nice hole in the rear frame to insert a bolt through if you want to do this but then you have to think about reaching down and turning it off and on all the time. Leaving it on all the time doesn't seem to great of an idea as the blue lights are bright and when it is saving things it does make some noise. In any case I didn't need to bolt it down so my solution works really great for me. The IoSafe makes you feel really secure. I am sure there are ways to add additional passwords/encryption codes etc.... to further secure your data and valuables within the safe, but nothing I have is really all that valuable to anyone else but me, the peace of mine I get and the obvious thought that was put into this build makes this product quality in my book. It truly is My Digital Safe.

I thought it would be helpful to add that I never ended up getting a second IoSafe. I'm still really happy with my IoSafe but I found 1 TB to be inadequate to hold all my DVD's: I have too many of them. I'm going with a 4 TB NAS with a RAID option. The IoSafe comes in a 2 TB model, but I need even more space. I read online recently that many people who have not yet purchased an external hard drive have cited the deciding factor as their lack of speed and that in the past, many externals have been, clunky, expensive, loud and slow: The Iosafe revels in all of these qualities; it's heavy, clunky, a real pain to carry around which is why even if you don't bolt it down it's really unlikely to ever get stolen. It's been slow for me when I transfer massive amounts of video, but no slower than would be expected from USB; eSATA would have been a better option. I find it a little noisy but not unreasonable: I positioned it convenient enough to turn off & on, but not near earshot. All things said, as I look back now, I stand by my start rating. I really like this clunky, sort of loud, kinda expensive and a little slow, bombproof 1 TB external solution to backing up your computer to place that is probably safer than anyone really needs! Read more ›

27 of 31 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars As great as everyone says -- but noisy December 13, 2009

By Daniel A. Richman

Size Name:1 TB|Amazon Verified Purchase

I don't think anyone has mentioned has extraordinarily noisy this thing is. I can't keep it running all the time, it's so loud. I just turn it on to do back-ups.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Protect data for a reasonable price January 21, 2010

By A. Wiersch TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Size Name:1.5 TB

Pros:
* Reasonably priced considering what you are getting (fireproof, waterproof, theft protection)
* Includes a way to bolt the drive down for theft protection
* Gives peace of mind - protecting my code (I'm a programmer) and other valuable data
* I emailed the company with a question about encryption and got a fast response that answered the question

Cons:
* Only USB 2.0 interface - could be faster with USB 3.0 or eSATA (future update?)

Other:
* Unit weighs about 15 pounds
* Requires external power supply
* Must register within 7 days with ioSafe
* My 2TB unit uses a Hitachi HDS722020ALA330 hard drive
* Can buy DRS (data recover service) extensions/upgrades to 5 years
* Check the videos (YouTube) on the Internet to see what this thing can take
* I use mine with my Windows Home Server and backup the shares and backups to it
* Encrypting data on the drive may make data recovery more difficult in case of disaster

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Easy to Use May 10, 2010

By Brad Geddes

Size Name:2 TB|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have a few 1 TB drives that I keep in a lockbox and needed something to use in the house between monthly backups that had a chance of being secure in case something disastrous occurred.

This has been a very simple hard drive to use and perfect for running constant backups. I alternate between using the drive plugged into a Win7 and Vista computer and the hard drive doesn't have issues with being switched between operating systems. It also syncs with ZumoDrive so I can add files to the cloud on one computer and they get synced to this drive on another one.

The hard drive is big and heavy. It definitely stands out on your desk. If you prefer a pristine workspace, you'll want to find a way to hide it.

The drive has a firewire connection, but it seems to be a bit slower than my WD 1TB drives; and much slower than the 128 SSD drive I use on a daily basis. I wouldn't put a heavy graphics game on the drive and run the game off of the drive; but for backups, music, and word docs - it's fast enough.