FlashTrax Feedback

[Pixi]

Does anyone here own a FlashTrax?

http://www.smartdisk.com/Products/DigitalMultimedia/FlashTrax.asp

I'm interested in ordering one. Would love to have feedback on it.

Linda

[chris.bailey]

Love it -

Plus points -

* Good screen
* Resonably fast
* Updateable OS
* Holds lots of piccies
* Will display RAW from the 10D (not sure about anything else)
* Reasonable fast.
* Does not need an external card reader

Minus points -

* Battery life, buy a spare.
* Feels a little flimsy
* Menu system takes a bit of getting used to.
* Expensive in the UK
*I'm sometimes not confident that I am not copying things into a black hole (I have though never lost anything)

Would I buy it again. Yep. On a recent holiday I brought back some 1500 pictures and there was still loads of room on it.

[Pixi]

Thanks Chris! ... very much! :)

[psk4363]

HI Linda,

I'm with Chris re his pros and cons. I've had the 40Gb version for a month now and but haven't really pushed it to the limits yet but so far it's performed well above my expectations. Transferring data via the USB 2 port is extremely fast, the screen is excellent and I love the way you can zoom into the image and navigate around it.

Highly recommended.
Cheers,
Barry

[Pixi]

Thanks Barry.

I have the G4 DP Mac. Do I need to upgrade a card or something to take advantage of the USB2 speed increase?

[jimtfoto]

I have had the 30GB unit for a few months and it's saved me the hassle of hauling about my laptop when I know a shoot is going to fill more than a couple of cards (carry two 512mb cards). I also sometimes get concerned about the "black hole" syndrome, but always check the files on the drive before dusting them from the cards.
As has been mentioned, one of the major downsides is battery life. However, I've yet to run into a problem since I charge the night before a shoot. Second battery might be useful.
Bit more of background ... before I finally tracked down the Flashtrax in Toronto (the big camera chains don't seem to be interested in it, for some strange reason) I had purchased Delkin's picture pad. This came with a 1-inch viewscreen and 20 GB of storage. Price was several hundred more than the Flashtrax. Big disappointment ... impossible to see preview pix with these older eyes, plus it refused to display some pix it said had too large a file size. Kept that for all of two days before returning for a refund, which was like pulling teeth at the camera store.
Anyway, despite its downside, my vote goes to Flashtrax ...
jim

[Jesper]

Yes, I have a 40 GB FlashTrax. I ordered it on the web from the UK, and the first unit I received stopped working after 2 hours of use or so. I phoned SmartDisk support, a few days later I got a return number and sent the unit back. About two weeks later I had a working unit.

The LCD screen is nice - it's larger than the camera's screen, but the resolution isn't very high (it has quite big pixels). Also, the FlashTrax seems to be a lot more expensive than some other portable hard drives. I would have gotten something cheaper if I were buying one now.

It is also capable of displaying Canon RAW files (or rather, the embedded JPEG images inside CRW files).

[gordeaux]

I've been using the 80GB version for about 6 months. Mostly with 2x 1GB cards and a 10D. It has always copied the contents of the card to the FlashTrax faster than I can fill the second card. So that's meant I've never run out of film. Mentally I found having only two CF cards easy to work with. The card is either in the camera or it's ready to go into the camera, nothing to get confused about.

Out of about 10,000 pictures I've transferred, 3-4 batches failed for no apparent reason. Since then I've changed the shutdown timer to 30 minutes to make sure I see the confirmation message before I reformat the CF card. Hard drive, screen, everything else powers down in 1 minute. I just want to preserve the confirmation message until I get around to looking at it (usually within 10-15 minutes). Haven't had any problems since then.

Longest shoot I've had with it was about 1,500 pictures over about 14 hours and the battery on the FlashTrax gave out just as the shoot ended. Lately, however, I've had the FlashTrax battery give out after about 800 pictures though, so I'm not sure what caused the variation. I'm getting a 2nd battery next time I order some supplies.

[Pixi]

Thanks to all who've continued to respond. I'm following along.

Gordeaux: You mentioned that you only have two cards that you like to work with. Would you care to elaborate on that?

[gordeaux]

Gordeaux: You mentioned that you only have two cards that you like to work with. Would you care to elaborate on that?

I'm using two 1GB Lexar 40X cards. That's about 150 images capacity on each card. Somewhere over 100 images, when there's a break in what I'm shooting, I pop the card out of the 10D and into the FlashTrax, start copying, put the other card into the camera, format it, confirm that the FlashTrax is indeed copying, then am ready to resume shooting.

[Pixi]

Thanks very much!

I'm putting together my order today. I need a zoom, 3 1GB cards, a backup battery, 550EX flash, and still debating on the Flashtrax. :)

[Canuck]

Am I too late to add into this one? I have a 40GB Flashtrax Drive! I am trying to sell it, only for one reason...I'm using a ton of space and trying to upgrade to 80GB one. Failing that it is great. I have more info for later.

[robertwgross]

Thanks very much!

I'm putting together my order today. I need a zoom, 3 1GB cards, a backup battery, 500EX flash, and still debating on the Flashtrax. :)

What is a 500EX flash?

---Bob Gross---

[chris maddock]

Thanks very much!

I'm putting together my order today. I need a zoom, 3 1GB cards, a backup battery, 500EX flash, and still debating on the Flashtrax. :)

What is a 500EX flash?

---Bob Gross---

It's a 550EX with low batteries ;-0

Chris

[Pixi]

Canuck: Glad to know you like it. Maybe I should aim for the big one too.

Sorry guys... I meant to say 550 EX... but you knew that didn't you. :wink:

[Canuck]

Canuck: Glad to know you like it. Maybe I should aim for the big one too.

Sorry guys... I meant to say 550 EX... but you knew that didn't you. :wink:

Well for starters it is a lot bigger, 3.5" vs 10D/300D screen of 1.8". It has a 30/40/80GB HD and that is how it works. It however has a similar problem that the 10D does in that it is impossible to see the LCD screen during bright daylight. It has a linux based OS on it. I am about 1/2 full with mine as of today and have better than 3000 pics on there thru the writing of this reply, as well as some other items. It can also be used as a full length movie player/mp3 player. You can get the info on it for www.smartdisk.com and that will give you an idea how big it isn't. It is rather small, like palmsize. I would definitely recommend getting an extra battery for the just to be sure factor and it never hurts. I have needed the 2nd battery a few times. You should be able to get between 4-6 GB before wearing out the battery maybe more.
I have found 6 is about avg. Sometimes I charge the batteries and sometimes I let it go. Is a matter of how much I have shot the day(s) before and plan on shooting that day. A mass storage option is a must have, especially shooting RAW. I found it invaluable on trips to Ireland about 6 weeks ago and then to Scotland this past week. I really didn't have to worry about CF card space or anything other than keeping it charged. That said, the FlashTrax Drive is a fine option. Speaking of charging batteries, my flashtrax drive is in need of a charge.

[robertwgross]

Sorry guys... I meant to say 550 EX... but you knew that didn't you.

When humans read these postings, we can "read between the lines" and halfway guess what the poster really meant.

Unfortunately, when some newbie is reading along, it can get confusing, so they often resort to the Search function. When they Search for 550EX, they won't see your posting about a 500EX or a 520, or any of those.

So, simply getting the model numbers right will help the newbies that come by tomorrow. Besides, it doesn't hurt.

---Bob Gross---

[Pixi]

Canuck: Thanks very much for the info.

Bob: I apologize for the original typo. I just realized that I can still edit in this forum... so it's fixed. I'm used to a forum where after 30 minutes it's too late. Thanks! :P

[BobbyC]

Be Aware!

I just got the 20gb FlashTrax less than 10 days ago, it worked fine, haven't used it hardly at all yet, hooked it up to my computer at the office to copy some files onto to take to the home computer, ejected it, now it won't come on and my office computer won't recognize it. The Smartdisk people told me to try it on my home computer tonight. I am VERY, VERY weary of this thing now, my confidence in it is shaken badly.

[Pixi]

Let us know what happens if you can Bobby. Thanks!

Are you using two different platforms? Mac at home, PC at work?

[robertwgross]

Bob: I apologize for the original typo. I just realized that I can still edit in this forum... so it's fixed. I'm used to a forum where after 30 minutes it's too late. Thanks!

I think you can edit your own posting until somebody else follows it with their own posting.

About getting model numbers right... it is just that some newbies don't know what is a normal human error or typo, and they might think that it is really a new model number of something. Then they go chasing around to their neighborhood camera shop asking questions about the Canon 500EX flash.

We are all prone to human mistakes. However, most of us try to catch our own mistakes and clean them up before somebody else comes along and steps into it.

---Bob Gross---

[Pixi]

<<However, most of us try to catch our own mistakes and clean them up before somebody else comes along and steps into it.>>

Got it! :?

[BobbyC]

Just to update.

The unit is totally dead. I tried the computer at home, doesn't see it. Charged the battery back to full, won't come on at all even with the power adaptor. Man this sucks. I'm not one of those "this means they are all bad" people and I'm sure SmartDisk will make it good, but man it's gonna be hard to erase that compact flash the first time. I have enough cards for a portrait session but my only choice at my racing events is to trust it, shoot jpg, or haul my computer to the track....decisions, decisions.

By the way, I'm Win2000Pro at the office and XP Home at the home office. I haven't even used the thing at a job yet because the race got rained out last week, I used it a couple of times to transfer some files from one CPU to the next and tried copying some flash cards to it but thats it, got it exactly 10 days ago. It worked great when it worked.

[Pixi]

Gosh Bobby... I'm sorry to hear of your bad experience. I hope they can at least retrieve your files for you. They should be able to. Maybe I'll wait before I make this rather pricey purchase.

Thanks for the update.

[BobbyC]

Actually the files that were on there were already backed up, so I didn't lose any, thanks though

[psk4363]

Hi Pixi,

Just one final thing from me - if you intend to take the Flashtrax around with you I would recommend getting the in-car charger so that you can top up the battery as you travel (alternatively a second battery) - no worries then about the battery going flat in mid-copy.

Good luck,
Barry

[CoolToolGuy]

I got my FlashTrax yesterday, so it is too soon to give a complete evaluation. I think it will work fine for me.
An initial observation (and this may be nit-picking, but nonetheless) - the only way to charge the battery is when it is in the unit. So I cannot charge a spare battery (in the car, for instance) while I trudge around with my FlashTrax in tow. I got the car adapter, so I think I can work it out, but I don't think a second battery is a good move for me.

Hope this helps.

[Pixi]

Barry, Glad to know about the car charger. Thanks!

Rick, I will be interested in hearing how it works for you. Thanks!

Normally I wouldn't think of spending that kind of money on something like that but I have a feeling it is probably invaluable when you're out for along time taking pictures. Besides, now that I will be working with raw files I can see a more drastic measure is needed to manage, review, and store them.

[gordeaux]

I have enough cards for a portrait session but my only choice at my racing events is to trust it, shoot jpg, or haul my computer to the track....decisions, decisions.

As President Reagan used to say about the Soviets ... "trust, but verify".

I've copied about 15,000 RAW pictures from the 10D cards to the FlashTrax and about 3-4 times the copy didn't complete. I have implemented 2 steps to prevent losing pictures:

1. Watch the unit until you see the copy has begun (progress meter at bottom, takes 1-2 minutes to start). I've found about 5% of the time the copy just plain doesn't start for some reason (including the CF card isn't seated properly).

2. With the default battery setting of "power off after 10 minutes", you can't tell whether or not the copy completed without browsing to see what you have. So I've left all the settings to power off EXCEPT THE UNIT ITSELF (screen, hard drive power off after 1 minute of inactivity). That doesn't take much power, but it leaves the confirmation message on the screen next time to press the Fn key to wake the screen up. If there's not a confirmation message there, the copy didn't complete.

With these two workflow steps, I've avoided problems.

[BobbyC]

Yeah, I would most definately make sure I saw all the files before deleting, my only issue now is will the unit still be working when I get back to the office. The odd thing was, it was working just fine, had it connected to my computer, copied some files to it, checked to make sure they were there, ejected it through the icon in the system tray, unplugged it, went to turn it on to view the pics on the screen and it was just dead.

SmartDisk has told me I have to deal with buy.com on the return since it's so new, I can deal with that, hopefully after all the biz I've sent there, the return/replacement will go well. What I didn't like hearing was that if I returned it to SmartDisk, I would get a refrubished unit as a replacement for a 10 day old unit, not happy about that but I don't expect any problems with buy.com replacing it.

[Pixi]

Refurbished exchange on a new unit? The company does not sound very impressive to me. Maybe I'll wait around for a company like LaCie or Apple to make something similar.

[BobbyC]

In all fairness, when I told the guy that I would not be very happy about that he said "I'm sure we can work something out", it appears as though there will be no problem with buy.com replacing it with a new one, luckily it wasn't past thier return limit, if it was a few months down the road, it might be a different story.

[Pixi]

Okay, that's good. :lol:

[CoolToolGuy]

Well, let's be realistic here. 'Refurbished' is not a bad word. The brand new unit referenced in this thread that gets exchanged is going to become a refurbished unit - so what is it about refurbishing that gives the company a bad name? In fact, for some items, refurbished can be better than new because someone other than an assembly line worker has handled it and verified that it is in 'as new' working order.

My biggest concern about refurbished units (of any product) is if you see a place selling them and they have a lot of them to sell, it tells me that a lot of them have been returned. For power tools that may not be bad because they make a krillion of them a year. But for photo gear, which usually has lower production volumes, it could be a bigger issue.

[Pixi]

Good point.

[Pixi]

As for me, I think I've decided to wait on this purchase. I have a feeling there will be more products like this coming out in the next six months. I'm hoping Apple will produce one.

[BobbyC]

I think Epson has a really nice unit, but I was told by an Epson rep that it's really not ready for pro use yet, very slow, but it has a very awesome screen on it. Probably won't be long until they improve it. A lot of people don't know that Epson is one of the biggest makers of some of the highest quality LCD screens out there. They manufacture for other brands so you don't know about them. My problem is I need something now, and for now, I still think the flashtrax is the best way to go.

[CoolToolGuy]

As for me, I think I've decided to wait on this purchase. I have a feeling there will be more products like this coming out in the next six months. I'm hoping Apple will produce one.

There has been some chatter on this forum that you can use an Ipod to copy files with a card adapter, but of course no screen. Maybe its coming. :?

Good luck and keep us posted. :D

[Pixi]

Thanks! I'll keep you posted. :D

[Pixi]

Any more news on the FlashTrax or something new like it?

I've spent a bundle on Cards and still run out of storage when out shooting. I think purchasing a FlashTrax is more economical in the long run.

Those of you who have the FlashTrax, are you still happy with it?

:?:

[SDK^]

I have a 20GB Flashtrax and i'm really happy with it.
It enables me to always shoot in RAW format and not worry about file storage capcity. I couldn't live without it !!

[Pixi]

Very good. Thanks!

[gordeaux]

I've used the FlashTrax 80GB with 2x1GB CF cards for 8 months now, probably about 6,000 pictures. I'm always careful to make sure I see the confirmation message "files copied" before erasing the CF card. But as long as I've seen that, I haven't had any problems.

I've used it in 90 degree and 10 degree temperatures. Longest use was 1,500 images taken over 14 hours with one battery charge. It gave out just as the shooting ended. (I've since gotten a second battery). Three batteries on the 10D, 2 for the FlashTrax, I'm good for well over 2,000 pictures between charges.

I think having two CF cards and the FlashTrax is simpler than a series of CF cards. My procedure is simply format the CF card when I put it into the camera. The time to shoot 1GB of CF card is more than the time to copy the other CF card to the FlashTrax. So I never run out of CF cards and there's nothing to keep track of in the field. Shoot the first card close to full, put it in the FlashTrax and start copying to the FlashTrax, put the 2nd CF card in the camera, format the card, start shooting. Repeat all day long. I've been very happy with it.

[Pixi]

gordeaux: Thanks for the report and also for your procedure. I honesltly don't know why photogs choose anything else, since the Flashtrax is so versatile.

[carnbrea]

I have been using the 20GB Flashtrax for six months now and I have been very pleased with it, no problems with it's use and I have also been listening to some of my favourite classical music tracks on it (mp3) when on a long trip, these dont take a lot of space, and you can delete them if more space is required.
Would buy again. :D

[Pixi]

Cool, Thanks!!! :D

[BobbyC]

I finally got a new unit from buy.com (they where on backorder for a while), and the new one has been great, I'm very pleased so far.

[Pixi]

Bobby,

Looks like they are being discounted at buy.com. I wonder if that means a new model is coming out soon.

Thanks for the info!

:idea:

[Pixi]

Anyone know if the Flashtrax will be coming out with a Firewire model soon? :?

[BobbyC]

I don't know, but it is very fast on a USB 2.0, almost as fast as if it was internal drive. I had a couple of rained out events but got to really put the thing to the test this past Saturday and it was great. Alternated between 2 cards all day and it was very nice to know I had plenty of room. It was also nice to be able to show some shots around on the bigger than the camera lcd.

I used it at a race, 100º all day, about 500 pics, The battery was at 40% at the end of the day.

[Pixi]

Great report Bobby. Thanks!

[KennyG]

The FlashTrax is used by most Pros who need portable storage. Mine stores 3,000 images over a weekend at a two day motor race event and then they transferred to my desktop PC. I do not store images longer than the time it takes to get home and get them off the FlashTrax. I shoot in RAW mode so the the files are either 4MB or 6MB a time.

Forget the firewire idea, USB2 is just as fast for the transfer.

It is the best device at this point in time - period. Most of the others are MP3 players that masquerade as portable storage for digital cameras.

[Pixi]

Thanks very much Kenny!

[Pixi]

Good news!!!

Thanks to all your good reports... and thanks to a job this weeked which is forcing me to move forward, I've ordered a 40GB FlashTrax. It should be delivered today.

Thanks people!

:D

[Pixi]

Question: Do you all recommend reformatting the hard drive before using it for any serious work?

[gordeaux]

I used the drive for several months as it came. It got full and I had to reformat it -- since then it's continued to work fine. So I think you're ok either way.

The reason it got full was that I wasn't emptying the recycle bin before disconnecting the drive. So even though I was deleting things, the disk space wasn't ever being cleared up. So that's a minor issue to keep in mind.

My inclination would be to reformat it from time to time though. When it's convenient, etc.

[Pixi]

Thank you!

[Pixi]

Another question:

I just plugged the usb cord into the FlashTrax and my Mac. It looks like something is automatically copying which shouldn't happen because I've just formatted the FlashTrax. What would it be copying. I can't seem to get to the controls to stop it.

[SDK^]

The copy light always flashes when it's connected to your computer via the USB cable, even if it's not copying.

[Pixi]

Good to know. Thanks!

[Jussuff]

Since a short time I am a proud owner of the FlashTrax and I am really happy with it. But when I am travelling, I am afraid to damage it while there was no good case / bag shipped with it.

Does anybody know about such a protecting case/bag or has any good solution for this? Thank you all in advance.

J.