Solution to card workflow

[Jerry_R]

I just got the Data Bank It is a 500GB hdd and a card reader for most formats—NOT P2. Works as a card reader via USB or as a hdd backup/store for cards. It is purely file based so it doesn't care about video or still or whatever! With a 500GB hdd 2.5" SATA its $219. I haven't tried changing the hdd or the battery but seems to be pretty simple. Takes any 2.5" hdd and it is user replaceable. FAT (does anyone use that) {Sorry but not very} or FAT32.

The operating instructions are pretty limited but the hdd came preformated.

Worked well with an older CF and new SDHC cards as well as a mini. I have no way to test most of the formats.

I will be looking at replacing the hdd (320GB are around $50 and 500 around $70) but it requires a computer to format the drive for use.

Will report after further testing.

[Jerry_R]

Took it apart last night. The good news is that the hdd is easily replaceable and the battery with a bit more difficulty.

The bad news is that it is NOT weather tight, let alone moisture resistant. The neoprene covers for inserting the cards are direct to sockets on the circuit board and cant be sealed.

There are 4 tinny screws covered by 4 plastic plugs. Don't worry about the plugs they are purely cosmetic and will be lost quickly. The Data Bank comes with a jewelers screw diver for the screws which s nice. But they are not captive and easy to loose!

So viable with some baggies and extra screws and extra screwdriver. But if you are going rafting or shooting in the rain or snow bring plenty of cards as you can't offload until you have a clean dry area.

[Jerry_R]

Summary

After testing the following is clear:
Data Bank is a data tool it is not video or picture oriented. So you need a camera, computer or other picture/video aware device for display. Likewise it is not environmentally hardened.

I was able to test with SDHC and CF cards to 64GB and swapping the hdd.

The GOOD.
Data storage device, you can: backup your computer, Email, video, pictures, malware development kit—whatever.
Uses standard parts so it should be highly reliable.
Cheap—$219—you can buy more than one for backing up cards.
Small and light 4 5/8x3x1" (180x78x25mm).
Commodity 2.5" SATA drives to 500GB (maybe larger when they become available).
FAT32 drive format.
Can do card to card copy (different types) as well as card to hdd stand alone.
Handles lots and lots of card formats. Was not able to test at all thoroughly as I don't have most of the card types (or anything that writes them). Works on SDHC, CF, memory stick, and the micro SD formats.
Card to hdd is limited by card speed.
Acts as a card reader via USB II (tested on Vista 64 and Win7 64).
hdd acts as a standard USB II hdd is buss powered and can charge if the hdd is not in use.
hdd swap is easy. Just remove 4 cheese head 2mmx8 screws (2mmx12 can be used).
Jewelers screw driver provided.
Lithium battery is standard size and readily available also easy to change.
Sockets are firmly on MOBO so should not be a problem.
The mini USB socket is firmly fixed as is the power connector.
A case as well as USB cable and AC power supply are provided.

The BAD.
No way to verify video or picture copy; only file copy.
Neoprene covers for sockets are not tight and are hard to get in position when swapping the hdd.
Doesn't do P2.
The sockets for the cards are open so not dust or moisture resistant.
The case isn't much.
The small screws are easy to loose.
Can not copy from hdd to card without computer. (Would be handy for verification.)
One more thing to carry, power and loose.


The UGLY.
Need to carry spare screws, and screw driver.
Should consider spare or extra hdd and possibly battery.
Battery initially takes 7 hours to charge and the unit can't be used stand alone until it is charged (takes longer on USB).
Formatting the hdd requires a computer and Vista/Win7 reluctant to format FAT32.
Power is 5V so needs special consideration using a solar charger (12V is a lot more common).
Has good battery life with 5400RPM drives, higher performance 7200RPM drives will have lower battery life. How much?

Overall not a perfect solution as a hot swap drive would be great as would some sort of picture/video verification. But that would put it into the video category at 5 to 50x as much money. An option for P2 would also be great. The problems can be solved with some spares and a dust tight/water proof pouch (baggy).