Customer Reviews

SmartDisk FTX30 FlashTrax 30 GB Portable MultiMedia Device

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've owned this unit for three weeks and used it during a one week holiday. So far it has worked without problems. It has performed as described on the Amazon web site and also on the Smartdisk web site. I can view RAW files from my Canon 10D and I have no problems with AVI files created with my Canon G2. I've basically used it for downloading JPEGs and AVIs from a Lexar Professional 512MB Compact Flash card and have no problems to report.

Only minor disappointment is that the time between recharging the battery is short. Now this is understandable as the battery is physically small and the Flashtrax does use a laptop harddrive so this is to be expected. This would normally only be a problem to someone who expects to be far from an AC powersource for several days and expects to take a lot of pictures within a short time period. An extra battery or two could be useful for those needing extended use. My unit's power supply works on 110V and 220V, so I should be able to charge it just about anywhere as long as I have the correct plug converter.

This product has a very compact and ergonomic design. It came with a 5-volt converter, a USB cable, a remote control (don't seem to be useful), a video cable (so that you can view the image on TV), and a nice little carry case.

Menu nevigation is intuitive and does not require a whole lot of handbook reading.

I used a Sandisk Ultra II 256MB to do a test. It can download 22 fully-filled cards (with minimal use of the LCD screen) before the device finally running out of power and unable to download anymore.

When the battery level is high, the average download time is a little more than 3 minutes. However, when the level is below the indicated 60%, the download time is significantly longer. When the battery reach 60% or 0%, a warning message will appear on the screen. You can ignore and continue your download, or recharge the battery immediately. Even with 0%, you may have a chance to download one or more flash card.

The battery indicator is almost useless. It only shows 100%, 60% or 0%.

You do not need to turn on the device in order to download. Just stick the flash card in, and press the button. This can be a good feature if you are busy in the field.

The LCD screen, although big, does not have a very high resolution. Retrieving images is somewhat slow, especially it takes 3 seconds to view a RAW images.

The device does generate some heat while being used intensively. But it in no way can damage the LCD screen.

I never test its MP3 function.

This device is great. It does everything I wanted it to do, plus more. Displays my high resolution pictures, including JPEGs embedded in RAW files. It does MP3 files, but I don't use or listen to them. Nice display, great capacity, easy to use. Watch pictures on the TV too. Only one problem, battery life. There really is none. Also the parasitic draw/loss when the unit is off weill drain the batteries completely in about two weeks of non-use. The solution, buy an extra battery and get the car charger. Other then that, it's great!!!!

I LOVE this little thing! It's like having unlimited film and I'm SO happy to be rid of that notebook and all it's gear! I have a Canon 10D and a 1g cf card and now I can shoot everything RAW mode without worrying about space. I've looked at all the other "image tanks" but I found this to be the most useful because of it's large screen and a nice zoom function. I love the one button copy and how it turns on and off so quickly. The hard drive is VERY fast. Of course the most important thing about this product is it's reliability, so we will see.

I use the FTX30 since 2 weeks, the performance look like the technical data. The battery have a short life than it is a good idia to have a second one. The interface system is a little bit slow, but the overall product is fairely good.