Portable hard drive with a CF slot?

[tvphotog]

I now use an Archos 20GB drive with video screen. It seems to be the only one in their line that has a CF slot for downloading images so that I can reformat my CF card and use it again. I need a bigger one to hold RAW photos.

Are there any others out there With a big capacity and a CF slot?

Or can I upload from the camera using a USB connector?

[cdifoto]

It's probably just a fancy enclosure with a standard laptop drive in it. Open it up and see if you can upgrade.

[dfatty]

If you're looking for something with a screen, I was just looking into this. This thread has some info:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=529640

Hyperdrive seems to be one that a lot of people use. Not cheap, though.
http://www.hyperdrive.com/HyperDrive-COLORSPACE-O-s/42.htm

Epson is another one that seems to be used a lot.

[Sports_Dude]

Why not buy a couple of 4GB, 8GB or 16GB cards? Cards are dirt cheap these days. Also, what if you download a bunch of pictures to this mini hard drive and it craps out? You've lost a lot of pictures. If you have a bunch of cards, then you'll only lose part of your pictures.

[tdodd]

I've put a 120GB drive into a DigiMate III enclosure, bought from eBay for about £20 delivered. Works great. The drive was bought separately.

http://search.ebay.co.uk/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs&sbrftog=1&from=R40&dfsp=34&satitle=digimate+III&sacat=-1%26catref%3DC6&a6=-24&a26446=-24&a18894=-24&a14=-24&a10244=-24&pfmode=1&pfid=2007&alist=a6%2Ca26446%2Ca18894%2Ca31764%2Ca14%2Ca31763 %2Ca10244%2Ca3801&reqtype=1&gcs=1594&pf_query=digimate+III&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D3&saobfmts=insif&saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop=34%26fsoo%3D1&coaction=compare&copagenum=1&coentrypage=search

[SnlpeR]

i just picked up a PCX-523 storage bank for $5
had an extra laptop HDD laying around

i still dont trust them tho..

[Anke]

Nextodi (http://www.nextodi.com/en/) storage devices are the fastest CF downloaders in the world. I love mine. They have SD too in some models and are beautifully made.

[tvphotog]

Nextodi (http://www.nextodi.com/en/) storage devices are the fastest CF downloaders in the world. I love mine. They have SD too in some models and are beautifully made.

The Nextodi looks very solidly built. The Hyperdrive has the advantage of the screen. Does it hold up to rough and tumble use?

[gjman]

I've put a 120GB drive into a DigiMate III enclosure, bought from eBay for about £20 delivered. Works great. The drive was bought separately.

Here is a link to my How to and Review for the same.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=557992&highlight=DigiMate+III

[Anke]

The Nextodi looks very solidly built. The Hyperdrive has the advantage of the screen. Does it hold up to rough and tumble use?

Pretty much, its a metal cased device and you get a nice stiff leather pouch to keep it in, which you don't actually have to remove as it has slots in it.

As far as a screen goes, do you really need one? I never need to see my images in the field, I just wait until I get home and look at them on the computer. I'd rather have the card downloaded and back in the camera as quickly as possible.

[tvphotog]

As far as a screen goes, do you really need one? I never need to see my images in the field, I just wait until I get home and look at them on the computer. I'd rather have the card downloaded and back in the camera as quickly as possible.

I like to look at the shots in the hotel or on the plane home.

[Anke]

I like to look at the shots in the hotel or on the plane home.

Ahh, I see. Thats why I carry a laptop :)
My only other concern is that the screen eats precious battery power. But then if you want a screen I don't think the Nextodi is for you.

[cdifoto]

I like to look at the shots in the hotel or on the plane home.

Ahh, I see. Thats why I carry a laptop :)
My only other concern is that the screen eats precious battery power.
Me too. I turn my screen down though, since I'm using flight time to cull and not to process. Having dual batteries helps get me through most flights. They give me ~6.5 hours total with the screen on 1/3 brightness (good enough on a dark-ish plane) and no WiFi.

[jhom]

I've had 3 generations of hyperdrive. They have been very reliable and convenient to use. They hold a charge for over 100gb of downloads. Most importantly, they are the about the fastest around and you can swap out harddrives to whatever size you need. Feature to cost ratio makes them excellent buys.

[wonny]

I've got a Creative Zen W that's just sitting around. 160GB. If you're interested, let me know.

[danskim]

There are also these cheaper models... some mentioned already:

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.10484

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.13084

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1927

They look quite cheap and potentially unreliable though.