Epson P-3000/P-5000 to be refreshed to P-6000/P-7000

http://www.engadget.co​m …include-speed-and-screen/

Just an FYI for anybody looking at this. I was going to buy this device as it's great on paper and in the reviews, however the price tag compared to other devices really put me off.

I still think I'm going to get a Hyperdrive Colorspace O, and install my desired size HD, but the Epson is liked by many.

Had the 5000 for a very short time, found it too slow overall. I'll be looking for a SSD solution.

I'll stick with my 300 for now. I only really use it when on trips away from home. It acts as a backup, and nothing more...unfortunately. Heck, I think I have to go find it...hehe...I will, when I get home. haven't seen the little thing in a while.

Though, it is a great device to have...and the screen is awesome. I used to have another device, but, poor thing broke on me...and was replaced by the 3000. Of course, once I get home, everything comes off, and is stored on HD's...so, why bother spending 6-800 on one of the newer ones. If I fill 40gigs on one trip, man...I can't even imagine doing through all those RAWs...hehe.

inthedeck wrote in post #6058672
so, why bother spending 6-800 on one of the newer ones. If I fill 40gigs on one trip, man...I can't even imagine doing through all those RAWs...hehe.

I can see the necessity of a portable storage device when you can't bring a laptop, but $800 for only 160gb is rediculous. I can get a Hyperdrive Colorspace O with added 320gb for only $360.

cowboylife wrote in post #6058458
I still think I'm going to get a Hyperdrive Colorspace O, and install my desired size HD, but the Epson is liked by many.

The Epson screens are gorgeous, but the question is whether you're going to get hundreds of dollars worth of additional value from the screen. I got my Hyperdrive Colorspace O for an Africa trip as casing-only, added a 250Gb HD, and spent less than $360 total. I can't imagine even a gorgeous screen being worth an additional $240-440!

cowboylife wrote in post #6058708
I can see the necessity of a portable storage device when you can't bring a laptop, but $800 for only 160gb is rediculous. I can get a Hyperdrive Colorspace O with added 320gb for only $360.

Oh, I agree. $800 is not some small amount of money...hell, it's a 200 2.8L and a couple of CF cards.

This is why I wouldn't switch...plus, when I bought the 3000, there was a rebate for 100, which brought total to around the hi 200's to low 300's, IIRC. Then, I saw the hack for it online, where you could add a 'huge' HD, though it would take some work, but, well worth the effort, should someone be inclined.

35% faster...hmm...I'm sure loyalists would find that a big improvement...over the current versions.

As for the screens not being 'useful' -- when you are 'flying' for x amount of time, and have 20 Gigs of images, and no laptop, that little screen is a total help. It's sharp, and displays the images better than the lcd's on camera bodies, that's for sure. Oh, and you can watch movies, should you be so inclined.

jgrussell wrote in post #6058721
The Epson screens are gorgeous, but the question is whether you're going to get hundreds of dollars worth of additional value from the screen. I got my Hyperdrive Colorspace O for an Africa trip as casing-only, added a 250Gb HD, and spent less than $360 total. I can't imagine even a gorgeous screen being worth an additional $240-440!

That's how I see it. I've heard that the screen is great. But despite how good the resolution and color is on any PSD, if I really want to view/show off photos, I'm going to need my laptop or something bigger. Just my personal view...

inthedeck wrote in post #6058778
Oh, I agree. $800 is not some small amount of money...hell, it's a 200 2.8L and a couple of CF cards.

This is why I wouldn't switch...plus, when I bought the 3000, there was a rebate for 100, which brought total to around the hi 200's to low 300's, IIRC. Then, I saw the hack for it online, where you could add a 'huge' HD, though it would take some work, but, well worth the effort, should someone be inclined.

35% faster...hmm...I'm sure loyalists would find that a big improvement...over the current versions.

Sounds like the updated versions are going to be awesome devices. However, as posted above, you can't edit or anything like that on a PSD, so it's purposes are for 1) backup in the field and 2) viewing. That's why I'd rather just save the money and put it to a nice laptop.

inthedeck wrote in post #6058778
As for the screens not being 'useful' -- when you are 'flying' for x amount of time, and have 20 Gigs of images, and no laptop, that little screen is a total help. It's sharp, and displays the images better than the lcd's on camera bodies, that's for sure. Oh, and you can watch movies, should you be so inclined.

I would agree with you there...but I'm sure the interface isn't as nice as an iPod....so then it's either another device you gotta bring with you on a trip, or decide how to make due with certain devices.

I don't believe they designed the interface to be like the ipod, or ipod video. It's more of an interface for multi-tasking with photos, kinda like a windows explorer menu...with extra features. I like the interface, because you can add 'ratings' to the pics, sort of like zoom browser, which is a key feature...especially when you get home.

http://www.engadget.co​m …include-speed-and-screen/

inthedeck wrote in post #6058850
I don't believe they designed the interface to be like the ipod, or ipod video. It's more of an interface for multi-tasking with photos, kinda like a windows explorer menu...with extra features. I like the interface, because you can add 'ratings' to the pics, sort of like zoom browser, which is a key feature...especially when you get home.

Good to know. I've never handled one so I'm not really sure how it compares.

cowboylife wrote in post #6058708
I can see the necessity of a portable storage device when you can't bring a laptop, but $800 for only 160gb is rediculous. I can get a Hyperdrive Colorspace O with added 320gb for only $360.

i used my epson p3000 as my only viewing and storage device while in africa. i didn't take a laptop because of weight limitations.

i paid $208 for the p3000 when it was on sale and had the HD upgraded to 120 gigs for another $70...at that price with the upgrade the epson is a steal.

here are my thoughts....

--buildwise the epson is excellent tho biggish. it sorta seems like a last generation device but for me that's not necessarily a bad thing. i really like the epson p3000.

-- as a storage device the epson is excellent...but if i had not upgraded the HD the epson would not have been big enough for the 70-gigs of raw files that i took in africa and the p5000 costs more than i would have paid.

-- you don't have to RTFM to use this device. it is intuitive, and that's important to me.

-- as a viewing device the epson is very good but consider that my mark III has a 3" screen and the epson a 4" screen. plus my mark III's batteries last a lot longer. some pictures that i thought were wallhangers viewed on the epson proved not to be when viewed on my home monitor. but still i viewed my files frequently during my "off' times on safari so the device got plenty of use and i was very glad to have it.

-- if you get the epson get extra batteries and a travel charger that charges just the battery and does not require the device to be plugged in. i bought an extra battery and charger on ebay and they were very cheap ... about $30 or less. i wish i had bought at least one more battery.

so now i have been wondering if i still need the epson. for example we're going to seattle next week and maui at the end of the year but i will take my laptop on both trips.

we do have some more epic vacations upcoming tho where a laptop may not be practical and the epson would.

so i guess it depends on whether you can take a laptop because i wouldn't use both devices since memory is so cheap.

oh, one regret in africa is that i should have brought more CF cards so i would not have had to erase any files.

i took 44 gigs of CF memory and if i had it to do over i would have taken at least 80 gigs. that way no matter which device you choose you still have two copies of your files, which would be a lifesaver if, say, your storage decided to take a dump .

ed rader

I wondered if they "fixed" the USB port issue so that you can connect an external hard drive to it and transfer files to and from the drive? The P3000 is supposed to do that but it doesn't.

WOW! Way cool, but WAY too much money!

I love my 3000 but no way I'd pay this much for one of these devices.