Customer Reviews

SmartDisk FotoChute 20GB Digital Photo Storage Unit

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

 

 

I bought this product leaded by its minimal description and the picture linked from its Amazon page, which is the same used in all sites that sell it. When I received it, for my surprise, there was neither an OLED blue screen nor a jogging button to browse the disk directories, just the A->B transfer button. This is not the product shown on Smartdisk's web site, but clearly an older model, which lacks the OLED display. Browsing the support pages, I discovered there are indeed two Fotochute models labeled FC20 (!), one with a display and another without. Amazon is picturing one and shipping the other!

Yes, it works fine, but when using the unit as a host to transfer files from other USB device, usually a camera, you have to believe the operation succeded without proof, because you cannot verify the transfer through the display.

I complained with Amazon, and the only thing they did was to send me another identical unit, which I returned. I kept the first one because I could not find another unit capable of USB hosting, which allows me to travel without my notebook, but if you don't need this feature, there are other cheaper options. You may also try some bulkier units that come with a card reader. Some of them play MP3 too. And there is always the iPod Photo if you are willing to pay a lot more.

The unit worked perfectly connected to a couple of PCs equipped with USB 2.0, but was unstable when connected to my Apple PowerBook with a USB 1.1 port: if idle for a long period, the OS is unable to wake it up and the Finder application freezes, which is _very_ disturbing. Sometimes disconnecting live (with an angry warning from the OS) gets it going again, but sometimes I need to restart the Finder. Quite a mess. I just have to keep it connected only during transfers.

Out of the box: the unit, usb cable, power adapter, simple manual. Initial battery charge took about 2 hrs.

My experience with this unit started off on a stressful note: it would not download pics from my camera (one of the approved cameras according to manufacturer's website). Browsing the manufacturer's website offered no help topics associated with the issue. I got to think, hey, the unit was produced before my camera hit the market, so perhaps firmware upgrade would help? Yes it did! Downloading and installing the upgrade was very easy and fast: unzip small file, plug in the unit and hit Upgrade.
Downloading pics from camera is very simple, just connect both units through USB cable supplied with your camera, press the copy button and watch the progress, which is indicated by blinking light on the unit and (in my case) on the camera.

Downloading 1 GB of pics (about 400 pics) took just under 7 minutes.

There is no screen on this unit, which means no indication whether pics were successfully downloaded - distressing, but all within specs so can't complain. In the end I'm happy to save over $100 compared to unit with screen.

Overall, I am happy with it. It is much smaller than the units with built in card readers wich is great, considering all other gizmos that travel with me: Cell phone, gps, cameras, and adapters for all of the above.

Taking off 1 star for lack of info on the initial issue (necessary firmware update).

Using: Nikon D50, WinXP, USB2.

I purchased a brand new FotoChute on Amazon. Very nice seller.He tried to help me without success. The FotoChute arrived in it's original sealed packing did not work. I and your seller had a hard time returning the FotoChute in it's original package with everything in it. When it came back SmartDisk returned only a reconditioned Fotochute, the bag and nothing else. I received this Fotoichute in February and it is now April 21. I have no way of using this Fotochute because SmartDisk has gotten away with a "Got you!" I now own an unusable FotoChute with a one year guaranty.
I was a satisfied customer of their products owning 2 Firewire and 2 Crossfire HD. I would never buy another SmartDisk anything because their support and guaranty is just plain snake oil.

This worked for a little while after I bought it. Then it stopped working just like that. Tech support tried to help, but couldn't solve the problem. It stopped mounting and there was no firmware upgrade for my mac. It was advertised as compatible with the mac. Waste of money.

I bought this product and it worked OK but when my Mac OS 10.4 was automatically upgraded
to OS 10.4.9 my computer now does not recognize the drive.
The company said there is nothing I can do.

The Iaudio mp2 player was supposed to work with my cameras. Then I tried to add a USB bridge, which recognized one camera, but not the mp3 player. The FotoChute recognized both cameras and transferred quickly with no problems. Transfer to/from PC is extremely fast. I have not yet tried to transfer to the mp3 player in order to create a redundant store for long trips, but expect it to work.

Since the first days of digital-wallet, I have wanted an external means of off loading my digital camera images for a reasonable price without lugging my laptop along. FotoChute does this for a LOT less money... if you have enough "faith". You can not see the images on it, but the filenames do display.
Though it is disconcerting that SmartDisk no longer sells this item, its performance is clearly explained, and worked exactly as touted on my OS-X Macintoshes.
As always, be aware that USB2 NEVER EVER gives you even close to its touted transfer speed of 480... but despite its very slow transfer rates, it is rock solid, reliable, small, and well built. I use it as a redundant back up when I am shooting extended photo jobs and need to erase my compactflash cards and continue shooting.
Thinking outside the box, it also functions quite nicely (though SLOWLY) as a transportable 20 gig hard drive that fits in your shirt pocket. Moving files and applications around is a snap.
Plusses: small, well built, good looking, works as represented, nice carrying case.
Minuses: Slow as molasses.

I got my FC20 and followed the instruction manual exactly. There is not much there to follow. When I first plugged it into my Win2K computer on a 2.0 USB hub it did not assign it a drive letter! I had a card reader plugged into that hub which I disconnected. Then the SmartDisk worked when I unplugged it and then plugged it back in. That was the only time it worked on a 2.0 USB port. If I have the SmartDisk plugged into the 2.0 hub and I put my card reader on the same hub then the card reader no longer works. If I plug the SmartDisk into a 1.1 USB port then it works fine but it is very slow at 1.1 speeds. One more thing! The manual says that the SmartDrive should Mount automatically and assign a drive letter they go on to say If it doesn't mount automatically use the AC adapter to give it extra power and the best part is "If your FotoChute still fails to mount you will need to use a different computer for transferring your files."
I tried to go to the website for technical help and could not get past the login.

Mine is going back tomorrow!