CompactDrive PD70X Review (Warning: Long)

**CooLes** · 08-05-2005, 07:11 AM

The CompactDrive is very much like your typical external hard drive enclosure which coupled with a notebook drive can be used to store files. What makes it different is that the enclosure also has a built-in multi-memory card reader. It's primary use is to download your pictures (or any other file) directly to the hard drive without the need of a computer. It's powered by 4 Ni-Mh batteries. And this is why its perfect for digital photographers.

I've been using the CompactDrive PD70X for a few weeks already and all I can say it's definitely worth it. It's not perfect though. The power adapter that came with it got busted in less than a week. Tried other adapters in a local hardware store and tuned in to 7.0v with 1500mAh to no avail. I keep getting error 21 (external power supply output voltage is wrong) on the drive. Good thing I brought the entire box with me to True Value which included the car charger and tested it with one of their converters and it worked! So now am using the car adapter at home with a newly bought car charger converter thingy while waiting for a replacement to be delivered from Aperture Trading. The adapter is already available actually, just didn't have the time to pick it up. Its best to use the adapters that came with the unit because they are the only ones that worked with it.

Field tested it a few weeks ago. The drive was mounted vertically inside my camera bag and tried to operate it one hand and from what I have experienced it is feasible! With only the status lights blinking green is all I need to know that my data is being transferred successfully to download the files. Powering it on and pressing the multi-function wheel downwards is all it took. Brought only 2 CF cards with me. A regular Sandisk 256 and an Apacer 512 (100x rating). Took a total of 177 RAW pictures in less than an hour with 3 CF card swaps. On my 20D, the 512 card took 71 and 72 pictures while the 256 gave me 34. Only wished the CF card would go all the way in with an ejector mounted on the unit. You really have to be careful inserting and prying out the CF card with your hand. Plus the hinged door could slam on the CF card if you wear it on your belt. Don't think will even bother to use the included case with belt slot on the field. The best way to maximize the CompactDrive is to get a hard drive with a bigger cache coupled with a very fast CF card. As stated in the manual "The cache size has a large effect on copy speed, but hard disk rotational speed is not an essential factor. Therefore a 4200rpm 8Mb cache speed will perform better than a 5400rpm hard disk with 2Mb cache". The regular 256 card transferred the RAW files in over 2 minutes while the faster 512 transferred in a little over 1 minute. Even with the batteries inside not being used for several days won't discharge it that fast. Mine still has full battery power using pairs of 2100 and 2300 GP NiMh AA batteries.

Now despite its quirks, I highly recommend this unit. If it only does one thing, it does it quite well which is to offload the files from your CF card fast! This is the new digital wallet. For the price of an Epson P2000, one can get a CompactDrive with higher capacity hard drive, a Sandisk Extreme III CF card, a good 50mm (f/1.8) prime lens, a good bag and still have change left.

Edited on 8-4-2005 by CooLes]

[Edited on 8-4-2005 by CooLes]

**Sponsor** · 08-05-2005 07:11 AM

**pipoyg** · 08-05-2005, 07:41 AM

Hello CooLes. Great Review.
What hard drive capacity do you recommend for this enclosure?

**CooLes** · 08-05-2005, 07:55 AM

Hi Pipoyg. Hard drive capacity is all up to you. Get the biggest you can afford if you want to double it as an external hard drive. Depends actually if you can consume that much space really. For digital photography at 8 megapixel RAW files, 40 Gb is a lot. Unless probably you have an on-location photo shoot for several weeks and away from your notebook computer to download stuff or burn your files on CD-R. Almost bought a second hand 30 Gb though. But the price difference with a brand new 40 Gb is insignificant so I opted for the 40 Gb instead.

**elbert** · 08-05-2005, 08:55 AM

Thanks for the review, Myles. How is the USB2 transfer speed when hooked up to a computer? Sana may Firewire. Is it easy to replace the HDD?

**Adel** · 08-05-2005, 09:16 AM

Originally posted by elbertc
Thanks for the review, Myles.

Lester!

**elbert** · 08-05-2005, 10:03 AM

Originally posted by Adel

Originally posted by elbertc
Thanks for the review, Myles.

Lester!

That's what I get for going to PhilMUG with muta in my eyes! Sorry Lester.

**CooLes** · 08-05-2005, 10:09 AM

Good morning to you too Elbert :winkgrin:

Am assuming USB2 transfer speed would almost be as fast as a Firewire connection. Haven't tested it yet since it's currently connected to my first gen 12" Albook which uses the older USB interface. I am looking forward though to connecting it to a forthcoming Belkin DockAdapter for the iPod shuffle. If this theory works, then the Belkin is actually a USB 2 to Firewire adapter in disguise.

Hard drive is very easy to replace. In fact its my first time to install a notebook hard drive ever. There are only 4 screws at the bottom of the unit that needs to be unscrewed to slide out the metal plate. The fit is tight though so you may need to pry it open with a thin metal. Used the edge of the metal ruler for this. Hard drive installs easily within the pin connectors. Even the hard drive bracket installs easily.

**ditoy_eagle** · 08-05-2005, 11:08 AM

Yes elbert four screws lang and you can replace the hard drive easily. I have this same Compactdrive as well. The older one PD7x was a good performer too, but this newer one has double the speed of CF transfer, and battery charging times. And you can easily reformat the hard drive.

I will do speed tests of USB2 vs Firewire transfers later tonight when I get home.