Sas 2.5 Hard Disk Enclosure With 9-In-1 Card Reader Writer Ide Usb2.0

by Sans Digital

Product Details

• Item Weight: 5.1 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000M0A2M4
• Item model number: MS1U
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 2, 2004

Product Description

9-in-1 multi-format card RR/WR. Simplicity and flexibly,single button backup,datas transferring from memory to hard drive. Also a perfect on-field instant backup for creative digital photographers.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Unless you are very knowledgeable regarding computers do not buy this, April 30, 2008

By 

Yoda (Hadera, Israel) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sas 2.5 Hard Disk Enclosure With 9-In-1 Card Reader Writer Ide Usb2.0 (Personal Computers)

Any review regarding this product must be split into 2 parts, getting it to work (setup) and how functional it is once it starts to work. With respect to set up, you need to be able to install the laptop drive into the device. This is not difficult. One important point, one that is not in the instructions however, is that the maximum hard disk capacity this device can handle is 160 gb. The operating instructions do not make a point of this important fact anywhere. This is nice, however, as competing devices in same price ranges (i.e., Digi Foci Phot safe) do not offer anywhere close to 160 gb in storage space. Once hard disk installed you then need to create 2 partitions, a small (32 GB or smaller) and a larger. The small one must be formated as a FAT32 and the larger can be anything. Unless you have a partitioning program like Norton's this is not easy to do. No where on instructions, box or company's website is it mentioned this is needed.

Once you get past the setup stage, the machine works quite well. It's speed is about average for such a device. The operating interface is useable though it can be better (more intuitive). The device can also be used as an external hard disk for computers, an added plus.

The device is small and relatively portable (smaller than competing devices like Digital Foci Photo Safe 80GB Digital Picture Storage Device). It is built a little better too (aluminum as opposed to plastic).

Installing a new hard disk in the field (after it has been properly pre-formatted, of course) is not very easy. The main reason is the screws that need to be removed are microscopic and hence difficult to remove and easy to lose. This is a shame because that is the big advantage this product has over photo storage devices whose hard disk you cannot replace (i.e., Epson P-3000, Digital Foci Photo Safe 80GB).

If you desire to avoid all the hassle in setting up it is recommended you go with a machine not requiring all the set-up hassle (i.e., Digi Foci photo safe or one of Epson's photo storage devices). However, for the GB per $ cost this is probably the best machine you can get for digital photo storage on the market today (as of April 2008).


Update (14 months after purchase and use):

After having this thing one year and having used it lightly, the battery seems to have worn down quite a bit. The battery can now barely download 2 gigs of data off of two SD cards before running out of power (and more likely running out of power before it can even do this). This is despite the fact that the battery has not been recharged more than about 15 times. The battery should not have deteriorated so much after this many recharges. Another observation is that the battery itself is quite small and smaller than those of other storage devices (i.e., Epson P-3000). The short life span of this battery forces a revised rating of two stars as opposed to four.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice product, August 4, 2008

By 

Louise O'gara "LouiseO" (Southern California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sas 2.5 Hard Disk Enclosure With 9-In-1 Card Reader Writer Ide Usb2.0 (Personal Computers)

I am very happy with this product. I found it very easy to set up. The instructions were complete and easy to follow although I have installed hard drives in enclosures before so I did most of the installation without looking at the instructions. You do need to make sure and follow the instructions if your drive is greater than 30GB. If your drive is 30GB or less, installation is simple.
I looked at a number of enclosures before I bought this one but this was the best for the money. It compares favoribly with enclusures costing twice as much. The display shows all the information you need. It shows the files moving over so you know it's working and shows the space remaining so you know the files from your card transferred over.

1.0 out of 5 stars Warning: Avoid this product, February 24, 2009

By 

R. Warrick "CameraFan" (Sacramento, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sas 2.5 Hard Disk Enclosure With 9-In-1 Card Reader Writer Ide Usb2.0 (Personal Computers)

There's a reason you've probably never heard of SansDigital ... but for me this product is a huge disappointment. Everything you've read in the other reviews is basically correct, it copies your memory cards onto a hard drive that you supply and install, could be tricky for non-technical types. Only allows you a 30Gb target partition for your pictures, which is probably adequate. All sounds good, but here is my problem.
The unit I have just randomly shuts off... AC powered, battery or USB connected.. doesn't matter, just shuts off, no warning. Sometimes in the middle of a copy - bang, shuts off. VERY FRUSTRATING!!!
If you really need a portable backup to use in the field, don't waste your time and money, buy a better unit!!