Xdrive vs tripper

[gjrennick]

I'm looking for opinions on the new Xdrive II versus the tripper. apparently neither has firewire capability so I guess I'm forced to upgrade to USB2. Has anyone had any experience with either / both - good or bad???

[where1]

I am using the X-Drive II with a 40g HD. I have no experience with the tripper. I have not lost any pics yet, however it won't work with my front USB port, only the rear ones, I don't know why, but the pics come out flakey on the front and intact on the rear. I transfer everything from my CFs to the X-Drive, even if I transfer direct from my CF to computer. I leave the pix on the X-Drive until I get backups made from the computer, just in case. The X-Drive makes a new folder for each transfer, so when I look at it through the computer, I know what was the last transfer made to it. It came with it's own bag, but I use a side pouch on my gadget bag to hold the drive and a 12v power cord. The battery is rechargeable, however I recently forgot to do this and was glad I had the 12v cord. The display is basic, it lets you know when the CF card is installed and when it is transfering data. It beeps when done, then powers off shortly after that. There is no verify function for piece of mind. There are 2 buttons on the face, power and copy.
I have never tried this, but I believe with the X-Drive hooked up to the computer through USB, you can read the CF card that is installed in it. Not sure though, maybe someone else can comment. I think I'll try this next time I hook it up.
Whatever system you get, you will be glad you have it when your CFs are full and you are not done shooting.