recommendations- eSATA/USB HD enclosure

[MadMan007]

I'm just looking to get some info on external HD enclosures that have eSATA and USB2.0 interfaces. Mainly what models or brands to avoid completely, or which models or brands are specifically known to work well and not have any hardware issues or poor build quality. This will be used mostly for an external backup and occasional portable drive if I ever need to do that.

Thanks.

(maybe this would be better in storage? I wasn't really sure where to put it)

[MadMan007]

Any comments or input on brands and models or can I just go by Newegg reviews? Are there any sites that cover enclosures regularly so I can read about a wider range than the occasional random review?

[mcoleg]

check out icy dock brand. i tried one and it's pretty decent. passive cooling, slide-out tray, pretty nice.

edit:

this one:

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817198003

[Randyman...]

I love my AMS/Venus enclosures. I have a FW/USB 5.25" I use for DVD-RW, and two of the 3.5" USB/eSATA enclosures, too.

Here is a link to the 3.5" eSATA/USB one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817145660

They still use an external "lump" A/C adaptor (better than a Wall Wart IMO) - but this is an advantage as far as internal heat is concerned ;) And since they all operate with the same A/C Adaptor, I can have one A/C Adaptor plugged in by my main PC, one at the Jam Room, and an extra one for "Portable use"... Then I only worry about transporting the enclosure itself.

Whatever brand you decide on - I'd recommend the Oxford chipsets if possible.

:cool:

[MadMan007]

Thanks. Of course those are the more expensive ones but I suppose you get what you pay for. The chipsets aren't noted at Newegg, should I just google to find that info?

[mcoleg]

not sure if googling the chipsets will help much since i doubt someone will definitely tell you which one is better and why.

still, venus and the icydock are still the best, pretty much. venus (ams) is an old time favorite among the crowd. they've had hits and misses though. icydock is relatively new but good designs.

[MadMan007]

I was planning on using this with the eSATA connector on a P5B-D which is hung off the JMicron controller. One Newegg review of the IcyDock mentions it's not compatible with the JMicron 360, the P5B-D uses the JM363. I should probably email IcyDock to verify compatability? If not I'll just use the passthrough and connect it to the P5B Southbridge although I don't always like using up all those case slots :p

Also, it looks like it will come out in black soon :D
http://icydock.com/2006/12/mirror-finish-or-pure-black-version.html

and then this is a great idea if they are shipping this now or in the near future:
http://icydock.com/2006/10/new-mb559-esata-bracket.html this gives an internal power supply pass-through to the enclosure so no annoying brick when you are using it on the main or base computer.

The Venus also looks nice and it has a fan which is a bonus. Kind of a tough choice..

[mcoleg]

the last time around i went with icydock because it didn't have any fans :P . actually, it doesn't need one, it's running cool as is. unless you are accessing the drive 24/7...

i am not sure about the compatibility... i use mine with a pass-through adapter, so...

have you looked at the multi-drive enclosures? there some nice ones that are coming out. some even can do raid internally. i got venus 2x for my second pc. it's firewire/usb though. built like a tank :P . the fan was a bit loud though so i had to put a resistor on it to make it behave.

[MadMan007]

It will just be for imaging a RAID array and maybe some random file portability so all I really need is one drive.