Smartdisk FlashTrax drive

[Jesper]

A few weeks ago someone asked a question about the Smartdisk FlashTrax (http://www.smartdisk.com) drive. I wrote I had ordered one but it didn't work (the screen remained blue after switching it on) and someone asked if I could post about my experience with the support I received from Smartdisk, so here's the story.

I received my FlashTrax 40 GB on Friday, 21 November. After having used it for about 2 hours, it only gave a blue screen. I called the SmartDisk support number and the person on the phone asked me to do the firmware upgrade to version 1.6.000, which is the newest version of the firmware that can be downloaded from SmartDisk's website. Unfortunately it didn't work, so later the same day I called again and they told me to send an e-mail.

I didn't get a reply until a week later (Friday 28 November) I called them again. They said it was unusual that I didn't get a reply to my e-mail and asked me to send a new e-mail. A few hours later I got a reply with a return number.

The next day (Saturday 30 November) I sent the whole package back to the UK with the return number.

I received a new unit today (Tuesday 9 December). I was actually surprised that I got a new one this quickly. The new one has the new firmware and works well (until now...).

So all in all it was ofcourse not nice that I had to send it back, but I didn't have any problem at all with support - Smartdisk sent me a new drive fairly quickly.

Unfortunately it was too late for my trip to Spain last weekend, I had to drag a laptop there (which isn't even my own) to copy my photos onto.

[Canuck]

Jesper,
I was the one following up, wondering if you had it sorted, as we had the original question poste d afew weeks ago. I have since purchased one and am a little disappointed in the quality of the LCD screen, but overall I'm like this is way cool! I will be taking it on holiday with me from now on. You know taking RAW pics eats CF cards like mad!

[ilya]

For what its worth, which is probably not much at all ~ I was in the city today, and stopped by B&H. Took a look at the Flashtrax, and the salesguy mentioned that he had four of those returned recently for various reasons. He was actually down on those devices in general, and said if you have a laptop, why not just use that. Anyway, its probably not worth noting, especially that everything works well now.

[Belmondo]

I have the Flashtrax and I'm pleased to report no problems with it. I also just recently purchased a Gateway Notebook which weighs about 4 lbs.

I'm really torn about whether I'll ever really feel like using the Flashtrax as long as the notebook is nearby. I suppose it will still be useful when I'm in the field.

I love the notebook. It's my first Gateway in several years, and it works really well. I still have my Sony laptop, and it's relatively fast by today's standards, but the thing weighs slightly more than an average schoolbus.

Why am I telling you all this?

Beats me.

Tom

[ilya]

belmondo wrote:

Why am I telling you all this?

Beats me.

Tom

Probably same reason I told my inane story. Because we care.

[Jesper]

The Flashtrax is a lot smaller and cheaper than a laptop. If I'm on holiday, I don't want to be dragging a laptop with me everywhere - the Flashtrax fits into my photo gear backpack.

[Belmondo]

When I travel, I normally have a computer with me. It's a necessary tool. It's usually in my hotel room, however, so the question of convenience is still relevant.

The 'whether or not' of using the Flashtrax vs. the laptop is really a matter of how long I'm going to be away from the laptop, no matter where I am.

The real answer is to have enough CF cards with me to cover a full day's shooting. Ultimtely, they're more convenient than just about anything you can mention.