[HouseSold]

I'm interested to hear Forum experiences and pro's and con's of the Zip Drive 250. It is out with a Firewire interface which appears to be a bulky, rear attached adapter and both require ac adapters for power.

• Does Zip 250 operate faster (reads and writes) with Firewire interface?
  
  Is it worth it price-wise and reliability (clicks of death still)?
  
  How reliable are the latest Zip 250's for data back-up and archives?
  
  Where to buy (Costco for $166, USB with 3 250mb disks or elsewhere)?
  
  What are your preferences for data backup?
  
  Favorite software and connection methods?
  

Thanks

[ 06-10-2001: Message edited by: HouseSold ]

[Wattsy]

I think you'll find there are 2 versions of the 250 Zip. The original version is the one which uses the firewire adaptor (pricey optional extra). The adaptor actually uses bus power so you do not need the power adaptor. The newer Zip250 is powered from the USB bus so doesn't need the power adaptor either. I can't really comment on the speed issues because, although I have one of the original USB Zip 250's, I hardly ever use it. Personally I think the Zip disk, like the floppy, has had its day. The low cost and ubiquity of CDR makes this the preferred format for transferring largish chunks of data. For moving stuff between computers, ethernet or airport networking is the way to go.

[ddiokno]

Hi HouseSold,
Moving this to the Peripherals forum...
thanks
dave

[Corinthian]

Hi,
I agree with Wattsy that CD-R would be a better choice when compared with Zip. CD-R is much cheaper to use and a wider usage. Even if you want to use Zip Drive, I think it's better to use Firewire. My reasoning is that you can obtain a port instead of chaining with several other USB-connected peripherals. This is my view, at least!

[ddiokno]

Hi HouseSold,
I have a USB Powered Zip and think it is a great convenience not to have to worry about the power brick, or bulk of an adapter. I think Iomega has pretty much distanced themselves from the click of death, but is still not immune to the affects of being magnetic media based. I still backup my data in several places (and in fact only use my zip disks very infrequently, for the times when I need to share info with others who have zip), namely CDR and firewire HD.
For an ultraslim firewire zip drive, check out the VST firewire zip drive ....
best of luck
dave

[zigzag]

I have one of the original Zip 250 USBs, which has been very reliable. However, as hard drive prices and CDRs get ever cheaper, I would think twice about getting one now. Even Iomega is moving towards removable hard drives with its new Peerless system. The only advantages I see for Zips anymore are (1) if someone you share data with requires Zip discs; and (2) the discs have password security, which (as far as I know) CDRs do not.

I'm sure the Firewire attachment is an improvement over USB, but I don't know that it matters all that much if you're backing up relatively small amounts of data.

Unless you have a specific need for a Zip drive, I would lean towards a Firewire hard drive or CD-RW drive. Also, the Iomega Peerless Firewire system is supposed to be available in a couple of months.

The Costco price sounds about as good as you'll find.

[PeteWK]

I've got one of the new FireWire Zip 250 models (cool looking blue ones). It's fantastic for what I need it to do. I've got three Mac laptops. One is the Powerbook G3 with the removable bays but the other two are iBooks that don't. I use the Zip drive to ferry files and programs between the three and various other ones. I've got a CDRW as well and they're just different animals. I couldn't do without either. The FireWire drive is bus powered and fully portable. I just put it in the laptop case and off I go.

PeteWK

[Skywalkers new Hand]

I have the old Zip 250 with the FireWire adapter. After I bought it I did some tests with copying files. The FireWire Zip is exactly twice as fast as the USB one. It is also powered by the FireWire bus.

I have not had a single problem with a zip drive or disk and I have owned about 50 of them in total.

The 250 firewire zip is a good by.

[Chimpmaster]

I have the powered usb 250 and its great. Totally reliable - I havent lost any data yet.

Iomega really have picked up their act in terms of speed and stability. The disks are very reliable now. They ARE more reliable the cd-rs.

They are also a lot more expensive. Its its just for small amounts of data (and portability is a factor) you cant beat it. Ive got an ibook and i stick my little xip drive in my stm backpack and you wouldnt even know its there.

Make sure you get the self powered, newer model. By it usb to start and try it out. If you want more speed, buy the firewire adaptor separately. I find usb is fast enough, personally.

[Bugs Bunny]

By the way HouseSold, I have the Iomega 250 MB USB/Firewire zip drive for sale. It's brand new, still in the box. Comes with 2-250 MB Titanium zip disks. $150, plus shipping.

[Mediaman_12]

Originally posted by Bugs Bunny:
<STRONG> </STRONG>

Those Zip Disks in that picture don't look like the 250mb Zip disks I've got (the drive looks the same though). Are these 'new' disks still compatable with the older drives and are you able to use the older (square) zip disks with these newer drives?

Does the firewire Zip drive still do that 'random access' thing. That realy gats on my nerves. Example, There is a disk in the USB Zip drive. you coppy a file across the network on to the local HD, before the copy is compleated the Zip drive buzzes, clicks and the drive light flashes. Why is this, I am not doing anything with the ZIP?

[ 06-13-2001: Message edited by: Mediaman_12 ]

[ddiokno]

Originally posted by Mediaman_12:
<STRONG>
Those Zip Disks in that picture don't look like the 250mb Zip disks I've got. Are these 'new' disks still compatable with the older drives and are you able to use the older (square) zip disks with these newer drives?</STRONG>

Hi Mediaman_12,
Yes, those are the new formulation of the zip250. They will work in any Zip250 drive, and the "old" zip 250 disks will work as well. The new ones are called the u250, because of the shape. Here is a link to their information page on the new disks.
regards,
dave

Thanks for all the great ideas !

Today, out of the blue, I can an e-mail uogrde offer from Iomega if I send them my Zip 100 drive to donate to a school.

Here's the link:
http://www.iomega.com/zip/zip_upgrade_email.html

What do ya think?