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PD70X available in USA

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The problem was with the firmware file being named wrongly. We have changed the firmware file since Nov 24 and it should work fine now. The wrongly named firmware file will not damage the HD80 in any way, just that the updating process will not start.

We wil repair or exchange any unit that has malfunctioned as a result of a failed firmware upgrade.
Rick Blaski said:
I got my HD80 about three weeks ago in anticipation of a Hawaiian
cruise in two weeks. The HD80 manual, as well as the web site give
the same warning about not upgrading the firmware. I think this
verbiage is there so that if the upgrade goes wrong, the
manufacturer can deny responsibility, although I believe HD will
still offer repair. I read of only person who has had a problem
with the upgrade and he indicated that he didn't use a properly
formatted card, which is required in the upgrade instructions.
I had an interesting experience upgrading mine to v2.1.
I downloaded the firmware file from HD's site and numerous tries to
upgrade with their file all failed. I then downloaded the x70 file
and my upgrade immediately succeeded! I can now verify my copies or
have the download automatically start after inserting a memory card
and turning on the HD80.
HD states that if you use a memory card which has previously been
successfully used with the HD/x70, the same card should be ok for
the upgrade.
Click to expand...
 
Yes it's USB 2.0. The actual transfer speed is approx. 100mb/s, definitely much faster than USB 1.1 which is 12mb/s
ljfinger said:
HyperDrive said:
The USB transfer speed or bandwidth is 12.5MB/s average (14MB/s
peak) is for HyperDrive hard disk to host computer hard disk
Click to expand...
Which obviously means it's in 480mb/s mode, not 12mb/s (I refused
to use the full-speed, high-speed terms as they are absolutely the
dumbest terms ever developed).

--
Lee Jay
(see profile for equipment)
Click to expand...
 
HyperDrive said:
Yes it's USB 2.0. The actual transfer speed is approx. 100mb/s,
definitely much faster than USB 1.1 which is 12mb/s
Click to expand...
heh - throw an RJ45 on the box, and IP stack and make the thing be a self-contained ftp server! ;)

(I'm half serious. think how cool it would be to just connect it to your hub or switch and have any ftp client be able to fetch files from it. no firewire or usb drivers (or hassles) needed.)

--
bryan ( http://www.grateful.net ) pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/linux-works ,
(sample fz30 raw files: http://www.netstuff.org ) ~
 
Is there really no way for the user to reset these devices and/or somehow solve the problem of the hung firmware update on their own? While I commend you for exchanging any units that malfunction during a firmware update, it sure would be nice if a user could have a way to fix the issue themselves.
HyperDrive said:
The problem was with the firmware file being named wrongly. We have
changed the firmware file since Nov 24 and it should work fine now.
The wrongly named firmware file will not damage the HD80 in any
way, just that the updating process will not start.

We wil repair or exchange any unit that has malfunctioned as a
result of a failed firmware upgrade.
Click to expand...
 
Trust me Glenn, I also wish users can reset the unit themselves, however it is just not possible with this unit, but we will definitely implement this feature for future models.
Glenn W. said:
Is there really no way for the user to reset these devices and/or
somehow solve the problem of the hung firmware update on their
own? While I commend you for exchanging any units that
malfunction during a firmware update, it sure would be nice if a
user could have a way to fix the issue themselves.
Click to expand...
 
It copies about 2GB (256MB CF + 4 Panasonic 1600mAh batteries). I think that's enough for me at those old times.

Arthur
linuxworks said:
or, are you saying that due to bad battery life, it only stayed
alive for a few pings? ;)
Arthur S. said:
Arthur
linuxworks said:
heh - throw an RJ45 on the box, and IP stack and make the thing be
a self-contained ftp server! ;)
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
bryan ( http://www.grateful.net )
pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/linux-works ,
(sample fz30 raw files: http://www.netstuff.org ) ~
Click to expand...
 
I was wondering how safe/stable the HD80 (or the similar earlier model) is while being off in storage, but subject to vibration/drops etc.

My application would be for an extended cycle trip, I'd store the device wrapped against shock/vibration as best as possible-ie in a ziplock wrapped inside bulky clothes inside a bag attached to my bike. Shock/vibration would be similar, perhaps a bit more severe than having the device inside a backpack-and hiking rough terrain all day long (day after day).

Thanks in advance!
--
e-mail: jfoneg (insert 'at' symbol here) 'dot' yahoo 'dot'
com_andremove_this
 
Right up my alley.

I carried my PD70X in an Aerostich fleece bag, next to my 350D and assorted stuff in the tail box on a BMW R1200GS for 17 days touring Europe. I ffilled about half a 40gb drive with my RAW photos and jpgs from another rider. No problems at security, on plane, etc. Brought it home, hooked it up and all was well. Since I was traveling two-up and space was limited I did not bring the AC adaptor/charger, instead I used a single set of Everready lithiums. They lasted the trip, the uplaoad to the PC, and a couple more uses before expiring.

alan.
 
Thanks for the quick reply Alan,

Sounds as though it should be fine for my trip as well. Excellent!

--
e-mail: jfoneg (insert 'at' symbol here) 'dot' yahoo 'dot'
com_andremove_this
 
ADSinger said:
Right up my alley.

I carried my PD70X in an Aerostich fleece bag, next to my 350D and
assorted stuff in the tail box on a BMW R1200GS for 17 days touring
Europe.
Click to expand...
The PD70X is solidly protected with an aluminium casing. The on/off switch is behind a cover, so no accidental switching on, like my Superdigibin.

John
 
regarding non-rechargeable batteries...

what brand and series of batteries should I be using if I want the maximum power on non rechargeables? I'm going on holiday with the pd70x and would rather not carry another charger with me. Want to use the best batteries in it, drain them and get more batteries when i need them at my holiday destination.

how many 1gb SD transfers could you get from a fresh set of these non rechargeables as well?

thanks all.
 
I used Everready AA lithiums, available at most supermarkets and pharmacies for about $10 for a set of four. I probably did 15-18 trasfers, either 500mb or 1gb each. I also uploaded all the images to my PC while using that battery power. I think the PC upload took a lot more juice than the transfers. I know it took a long time, longer than transfer times, and the drive was spinning throughout.

I had no backup batteries with me. I figured that worst case I could always buy some alkalines, even if they only did one transfer per set. But in the end I never needed any.

alan.
donutz said:
regarding non-rechargeable batteries...
what brand and series of batteries should I be using if I want the
maximum power on non rechargeables? I'm going on holiday with the
pd70x and would rather not carry another charger with me. Want to
use the best batteries in it, drain them and get more batteries
when i need them at my holiday destination.

how many 1gb SD transfers could you get from a fresh set of these
non rechargeables as well?

thanks all.
Click to expand...
 
Lithium throwaways are excellent. They put out a very good voltage over a long time then pretty much just die, where alkalines/NIMH's begin to drop immediately. Very long storage life, and lite weight as well. I've used them (for other applications) since they came out.

I'm glad to hear they can be used with this drive.

Care should be used with some electronics, as they put out a bit more voltage per battery than alkaines/NIMH's, which when using 4 or more can cause troubles for some. Pretty much I read about if others have used them successfully before I give them a go (ie w/my camera).
ADSinger said:
I used Everready AA lithiums, available at most supermarkets and
pharmacies for about $10 for a set of four. I probably did 15-18
trasfers, either 500mb or 1gb each. I also uploaded all the images
to my PC while using that battery power. I think the PC upload took
a lot more juice than the transfers. I know it took a long time,
longer than transfer times, and the drive was spinning throughout.

I had no backup batteries with me. I figured that worst case I
could always buy some alkalines, even if they only did one transfer
per set. But in the end I never needed any.

alan.
Click to expand...
 
I got mine HD80 today and here what I think:

Kinda shame of being a such a product, since the quality sucks (I wished they would be assembled by a better assembly). I would just say "Made in China" today could do a much better job.

If you can assemble the hard drive yourself, do it yourself. I open the whole drive and take a look at it, no protection for the hard drive, all the protection is from the hard drive itself, don't expect too much from the case itself. The place that holds the screws are already loosen and they were made of plastic (which is fine but the quality of the plastic sucks).

Let me come to another main point first, it does do a good job of saving data from my memory cards, fast and accurate. But I believe many other brands could do this.

So what I appreciate from this portable drive is its chip (the program itself), besides this, I don't think any other point that attracts me. Maybe one more thing is it uses AA battery.

So when I go back to China this winter, I would seek for another drive and resell this one later. The quality doesn't match the price.

--
Ima... just a... a beginner...

3rd: Canon EOS 300D Rebel (from 05, wanna upgrade)

Gears: 300D, 50mm f/1.8 II, 100mm f/2.8 Macro, 70-200mm f/4, Kit lens 18-55mm

My xanga site:
http://www.xanga.com/jayjy

My picture site:
http://www.diu7nei.com
 
To say that the HD80 offers "no protection to the hard disk" is simply not true.

Our aluminum casing is much stronger and more rigid than most hard disk casing in the market and can withstand strong direct impact without much damage to the case structure. The connectors and washers that hold the hard disk in place are made of soft plastic in order to absorb any shock should the HD80 casing be disturbed. The whole casing is designed in such a way that any impact force is isolated to the casing only, away from the hard disk. We have users who drop the HD80 from the height of a person and also falling off a moving motorcycle without damage to the hard disk. It is hard to imagine that a bare hard disk without casing can withstand these impact and survive.

While I concede that the screw mounts could have been of better quality (due to the soft plastic material that we use for shock absorption), I feel that it is too harsh to simply dismiss the entire product "quality sucks"

The HD80 is built to be rugged with thick, rigid aluminum casing and dust covers to protect all slots and controls.

In terms of transfer speed, battery life and data integrity (24-bit copy verification), the HD80 is the market leader and unparallelled in performance.

We are so confident of our product that we back all purchases with 1 year "1-for-1" exchange policy.
jayjy said:
I got mine HD80 today and here what I think:

Kinda shame of being a such a product, since the quality sucks (I
wished they would be assembled by a better assembly). I would just
say "Made in China" today could do a much better job.

If you can assemble the hard drive yourself, do it yourself. I open
the whole drive and take a look at it, no protection for the hard
drive, all the protection is from the hard drive itself, don't
expect too much from the case itself. The place that holds the
screws are already loosen and they were made of plastic (which is
fine but the quality of the plastic sucks).

Let me come to another main point first, it does do a good job of
saving data from my memory cards, fast and accurate. But I believe
many other brands could do this.

So what I appreciate from this portable drive is its chip (the
program itself), besides this, I don't think any other point that
attracts me. Maybe one more thing is it uses AA battery.

So when I go back to China this winter, I would seek for another
drive and resell this one later. The quality doesn't match the
price.

--
Ima... just a... a beginner...

3rd: Canon EOS 300D Rebel (from 05, wanna upgrade)
SD100 (from late 03, still using)

Gears: 300D, 50mm f/1.8 II, 100mm f/2.8 Macro, 70-200mm f/4, Kit
lens 18-55mm

My xanga site:
http://www.xanga.com/jayjy

My picture site:
http://www.diu7nei.com
Click to expand...
 
Well, I might used a wrong word which is "sucks". I should be more polite.

For the case, I do think it is good, but which should be a standard in this industry. I have many external hard drive case (for regular hard drive) and I would say most of them build up with the material that has the same quality as the HD80.

For the point of shock absorbtion, I would suggest using other materials or add in some other compact absorbtion materials instead breaking screw mounts very easily. (which in my case, the screw mounts already loosen after I received it), I performed very careful operation and just loose the screws and I found out that problem. I believe you can take my suggestion and improve the quality.

As a Chinese myself, I have no intention to harm your feeling. I just wish I can stand at a consumer's standpoint and give out my opinions.

I would suggest use small rubber gasket on top of the screw mount and that may help more.

Why I said the quality is not too good, just look at the plastic charger cover, it is very loose and the two plastic connectors which connects the the case are easy to broken, the metal conductor within the plastic cover is very loose as well (it is not a big problem but tighter would give others' a good feeling of its quality), I would suggest using some mechanic like the cover of a digital camera battery cover.

Well, I checked online that this case in China is selling at a higher price (maybe even the older model) so I decided to keep it for a while until it really breaks. And I do like the chips design and the convenience that the AA battery brings.

But with your words, hopefully I can get a new one after a while if I change to another hard drive and if the screw mounts break unrecoverable.

Anyway, just my $.02. Accept them or not, your choice. ;-)

--
Ima... just a... a beginner...

3rd: Canon EOS 300D Rebel (from 05, wanna upgrade)

Gears: 300D, 50mm f/1.8 II, 100mm f/2.8 Macro, 70-200mm f/4, Kit lens 18-55mm

My xanga site:
http://www.xanga.com/jayjy

My picture site:
http://www.diu7nei.com
 
I have my unit since June. I dropped the unit few times already, once from the 1 meter to the concrete floor, during transferring of the files.

I used it in any condition and I’m not really careful. After 480GB of transferred files, it is still like a new. And no problems with the screws (after opening the cover few times to show inside to my friends).

I’m not concerned regarding doors. After so many open/close actions, they are like new. I even dropped it on the open card door.

Just my opinion,
Alex.
 
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