[mac128k-1984]

I'm looking at picking one up, These puppies are useful when taking a laptop is not practical.

The models I seem to be gravitating towards at the moment are the Epson P3000 and the Nexto CF There's also the wolverine and jobo/giga vue models that do the same thing.

Most of them seem expensive and I'm not sure if I want to plunk down 400 dollars. I'm going on a trip shortly in which I'll not be able to take my laptop. My options are not backing up my memory cards or buying one of these. To be honest I have enough memory cards to last me the trip but I'm scared to death about not backing up. I've always copied them to my laptop when I'm on a trip.

Any photographers here use a device to backup their memory cards - if so, care to share your wisdom and experiences.

[Railroader]

I have read great things about this unit although I have not used it myself.

Apacer Share Steno CD311 - 40GB USB2 hard drive

It's actually difficult to find concrete data on it, but I have read quite a few photographers use it and like it.

This guy uses one and likes it: [daily dose of imagery] equipment list It is item "t" in his camera bag.

[iMOTOR]

This is what I use, it works great despite the fact that a few hundred RAW photos will drain the battery considerably. But it beats carrying an iPod and a mobile hard disk.

[mac128k-1984]

Thanks for the info.

I'll start doing some research regarding the apacer model. I have an ipod mini so using that to store my images is not possible though this could be a good excuse to buy a new ipod

After doing some digging last night, I'm now leaning towards the jobo Giga one model for price and the nexto ultra because of its built in verification logic (though it is a tad pricey) . While the epson model is nice, it is pricey so much so, its difficult to justify spending that much money for something that I'll have limited use for. I typically go away a couple times a year and in the past I've brought my laptop now but for the foreseeable future, taking my laptop will not be feasible.

[mac128k-1984]

I opted for this: Nexto CF Ultra

The reason being that is has image verification logic built into the circuitry, its transfer rates are exceedingly fast (fast transfers = less battery drain). Form factor os small.

I don't have a ipod that is capable of holding images and I wasn't planning on even bringing my ipod. Its a little more money then I wanted but from what I've been reading its well received and I have not heard any complaints.

Edit: I was (am) tempted cancel the order and get the ipod

[Railroader]

Make sure you post here about your experiences with it. I am interested as well.

[mac128k-1984]

Will do

I have to say that eastgear is quick. I ordered it last night 9:00pm and its already been shipped. Of course eastgear isn't a us company but singapore I believe so the time difference probably worked in my favor.

[Demonhood]

i've heard good things about the hyperdrive. but i've yet to get one myself.

[mac128k-1984]

As requested here's an update regarding the Nexto Ultra.

I just received the Nexto CF Ultra - it was shipped from singapore on Sunday and received it today, that's fast.

The unit is slightly bigger then I imagined it would be but still nicely sized and will fit easily in my camera bag. Probably a skosh wider then a deck of cards and a couple of inches longer.

It took 4 hours to charge up the battery, once I did and fired up the puppy it was fast. I copied a 1/2 gig of images from my cf card in under a minute, 40 seconds to be precise. I haven't played with the settings or anything yet but so far I'm impressed.

the only thing I'm disappointed in is that there's a slight scratch on the display window. There was no protective plastic film on that, I've gotten used to getting electronics with that on there. Since the window is there just to display status messages and what not, I'm not terribly disappointed.

I'm going to put it through it's paces before I leave for my trip but so far I'm happy with it.