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  1. #1
    Liz
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    Help! What is a Travel Drive?

    Staples has a big sale on a Memorex 512mb Travel Drive Portable Storage Device. It's marked down from about $75 to $29.00.

    Is this the same as a portable hard drive. It's very tiny - about 3 1/2 " by 1" - it's USB 2.0 - 512mb.

    It states "store, carry and share files, icnluding data, photos, musci and video?

    Can I use this with my laptop to store photos?

    Thanks for any help/information

    Liz

  2. #2
    has-been... another view's Avatar
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    Re: Help! What is a Travel Drive?

    Liz, it's a flash drive - basically the same as a compact flash card. I haven't used them but I haven't heard anything about them that would make me want to trust them for storage. Might be good for carrying files to the lab for printing (if you can download directly from USB2, which on the Fuji Frontier I've used you can't), or carrying files from home to the office, etc. Basically for temporary storage; not long term.

  3. #3
    Liz
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    Re: Help! What is a Travel Drive?

    Thanks Steve,

    I just checked it out - and when I read the "512mb" on the package it occurred to me that it wouldn't hold more than a 512 CF card does for photos. Forget it!

    Thanks - I've heard of "flash cards" but didn't realize this is what it is. I might as well take a 512 CF with me for storage. Duh!!!!!!!!

    Liz

    Quote Originally Posted by another view
    Liz, it's a flash drive - basically the same as a compact flash card. I haven't used them but I haven't heard anything about them that would make me want to trust them for storage. Might be good for carrying files to the lab for printing (if you can download directly from USB2, which on the Fuji Frontier I've used you can't), or carrying files from home to the office, etc. Basically for temporary storage; not long term.

  4. #4
    Senior Member Lara's Avatar
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    Re: Help! What is a Travel Drive?

    Hi guys!!

    512 mb isn't very much storage space.

    My hubby's 2 gig flash card crased just the other day, so I wouldn't depend on them for permanent storage. Like Steve said, not for long term.

    I have two myself, that I have been using for about a year and so far no problems. But I don't have anything on them that I don't have backed up elsewhere.

    Oh, and the travel storage one's I've seen seem to have a flimsy casing. They didn't look as though they would hold up to a lot of knocking around. There could be better ones, I just haven't seen them.
    Lara


  5. #5
    Liz
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    Re: Help! What is a Travel Drive?

    Lara,

    Thanks for chiming in here! It's so great to see you around.

    I agree with your assessment - and thanks for sharing your husband's experience. I won't get this one.

    Liz

    Quote Originally Posted by Lara
    Hi guys!!

    512 mb isn't very much storage space.

    My hubby's 2 gig flash card crased just the other day, so I wouldn't depend on them for permanent storage. Like Steve said, not for long term.

    I have two myself, that I have been using for about a year and so far no problems. But I don't have anything on them that I don't have backed up elsewhere.

    Oh, and the travel storage one's I've seen seem to have a flimsy casing. They didn't look as though they would hold up to a lot of knocking around. There could be better ones, I just haven't seen them.

  6. #6
    Senior Member payn817's Avatar
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    Re: Help! What is a Travel Drive?

    Here's what I use. It is a mini drive as opposed to that flash memory thing. You can have multiple partitions, etc. It has been very reliable, had it about 3 years now, and it has taken a beating.

    Although, I do agree to backup everything.

    MPIO 1.5 GB HDD Data Storage Drive

    PS.. it isn't $199 anymore. I got mine at bestbuy for around $100

  7. #7
    Panarus biarmicus Moderator (Sports) SmartWombat's Avatar
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    Re: Help! What is a Travel Drive?

    As you found out, 512MB isn't much !

    I use a Phototainer (80GB) for my portable storage, it has a CF slot built in and will copy, verify, and erase the card contents. It also has a screen to show the images, but I don't waste battery on that
    Phototainer uses external batteries which means I can get about 32GB of data onto it with the two batteries I have.

    I also have a XSDriveII VP2160 (80GB) as backup, bought while the Phototainer was in for repair
    It will copy the CF card, and also has slots for SD and XD. But it does not have a function to verify the copy worked, and it can't be used ot erase the card.
    The 2160 does not have external batteries, you have to dismantle it to swap batteries (screwdriver included in the box!) and it uses a standard Fuji battery.
    PAul

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  8. #8
    Liz
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    Re: Help! What is a Travel Drive?

    Thanks everyone......just to clarify

    Presently I use a 80GB Iomega external hd to back up my photos. It has been acting weird for a while - meaning it only starts up if I physically give it a "shake."

    I purchased a 120 Western Digital external HD to back up my pc and will start moving my images over there.

    However, both of these are too big to travel around with my laptop. A couple of months ago I posted here asking for advice about external hd vs CD's. I got a lot of good advice and decided on the CD option. However, I would still like some type of small external hd that won't crash that I can carry around. I guess they don't build them not to crash, or die......... yet.

    Thanks again.

    Liz

  9. #9
    has-been... another view's Avatar
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    Re: Help! What is a Travel Drive?

    These are pretty tough - I read a review on Moose Peterson's website a while back when they came out. Very expensive though...

    My wife has a 40GB version of this drive. Not so heavy duty, but made for carrying with a laptop. I linked the 100GB because it lists the dimensions and weight. Very small and light, btw. Also nice because it doesn't require a separate power source; just plug it in to USB2 and you're all set.

  10. #10
    Liz
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    Re: Help! What is a Travel Drive?

    Thanks Steve.....the first one is expensive.....

    The one your wife has looks great - I'll check to see if they still have the 40GB one.

    Thanks

    Liz

    Quote Originally Posted by another view
    These are pretty tough - I read a review on Moose Peterson's website a while back when they came out. Very expensive though...

    My wife has a 40GB version of this drive. Not so heavy duty, but made for carrying with a laptop. I linked the 100GB because it lists the dimensions and weight. Very small and light, btw. Also nice because it doesn't require a separate power source; just plug it in to USB2 and you're all set.

  11. #11
    Panarus biarmicus Moderator (Sports) SmartWombat's Avatar
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    Re: Help! What is a Travel Drive?

    A friend gave me a tiny Sony Vaio branded drive enclosure.
    It takes a 2.5" laptop drive and is powered off the USB bus.
    It is only 1cm longer then the drive itself, and barely 1mm thicker.
    So there is little protection, but it is simple and cheap !
    PAul

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  12. #12
    Liz
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    Re: Help! What is a Travel Drive?

    Thanks Paul.

    I'll put that on my list to check out too! I'm glad there is more than one option!

    Liz

  13. #13
    I can't member!?!? dmm96452's Avatar
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    Re: Help! What is a Travel Drive?

    Quote Originally Posted by Liz
    However, both of these are too big to travel around with my laptop. A couple of months ago I posted here asking for advice about external hd vs CD's. I got a lot of good advice and decided on the CD option. However, I would still like some type of small external hd that won't crash that I can carry around. I guess they don't build them not to crash, or die......... yet.

    Thanks again.

    Liz
    Does the laptop have space on the hd for your files? What model is it? On some laptops you can remove the cd or dvd and install a second hd. That would give you a bunch of extra space for images that you can move to the external drive when you return home. That should be at least as durable as the laptop.
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  14. #14
    I can't member!?!? dmm96452's Avatar
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    Re: Help! What is a Travel Drive?

    Check above Paul's last reply. Somehow a reply I just posted is showing up before replies posted before it.
    We improve ourselves by victories over ourself. There must be contests, and you must win.
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  15. #15
    Erstwhile Vagabond armed with camera Lionheart's Avatar
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    Re: Help! What is a Travel Drive?

    why not just carry a usb 2.0 reader and some spare 1 GB cards? CostCo, $59.95 for Sandisk Ultra II 1 GB in both CF and SD flavors.
    Seek the Son and the shadows fall behind you.

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  16. #16
    Liz
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    Re: Help! What is a Travel Drive?

    Quote Originally Posted by Lionheart
    why not just carry a usb 2.0 reader and some spare 1 GB cards? CostCo, $59.95 for Sandisk Ultra II 1 GB in both CF and SD flavors.
    Thanks! Actually the same thought occurred to me today. I have 3 512mb and a bunch of 256. I already sort some of my images out by leaving them on the smaller CF cards since I have quite a few - that is until I transfer them to my external h.d. on my pc.

    Liz

  17. #17
    Liz
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    Re: Help! What is a Travel Drive?

    Quote Originally Posted by dmm96452
    Does the laptop have space on the hd for your files? What model is it? On some laptops you can remove the cd or dvd and install a second hd. That would give you a bunch of extra space for images that you can move to the external drive when you return home. That should be at least as durable as the laptop.
    That's something I haven't thought about. I'd have to get someone to do this, though. I think I want to keep the CD/DVD on it. Actually it's a Gateway - about 2-1/2 years old. What does that make it in human age? About 65?

    Liz

  18. #18
    don't tase me, bro! Asylum Steve's Avatar
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    Re: Help! What is a Travel Drive?

    Liz, off the top of my head, I'd say some place like Pacific Coast Highway would qualify... ;)
    "Riding along on a carousel...tryin' to catch up to you..."

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  19. #19
    Liz
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    Question Re: Help! What is a Travel Drive?

    Quote Originally Posted by Asylum Steve
    Liz, off the top of my head, I'd say some place like Pacific Coast Highway would qualify... ;)
    I'm trying to hide my stupidity.....

    Steve, what is Pacific Coast Highway?

    Liz

  20. #20
    don't tase me, bro! Asylum Steve's Avatar
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    Re: Help! What is a Travel Drive?

    Quote Originally Posted by Liz
    I'm trying to hide my stupidity.....

    Steve, what is Pacific Coast Highway?

    Liz
    No problem, Liz. I was just being a wise guy. PCH is a very scenic road running along the coast of Washington, Oregon, and Cali.

    Travel Drive? Get it?
    "Riding along on a carousel...tryin' to catch up to you..."

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  21. #21
    Liz
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    Re: Help! What is a Travel Drive?

    Quote Originally Posted by Asylum Steve
    No problem, Liz. I was just being a wise guy. PCH is a very scenic road running along the coast of Washington, Oregon, and Cali.

    Travel Drive? Get it?
    Got it Steve!

    I kind of thought that is what you meant. But thought it was too obvious.

    Liz

  22. #22
    I can't member!?!? dmm96452's Avatar
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    Re: Help! What is a Travel Drive?

    Check this link out to see if it fits your needs.
    We improve ourselves by victories over ourself. There must be contests, and you must win.
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  23. #23
    Liz
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    Re: Help! What is a Travel Drive?

    Quote Originally Posted by dmm96452
    Check this link out to see if it fits your needs.
    This looks great - it's a big pricey - but rugged. Thanks for the link. I'll put it on my list of hd's to check out.

    Liz

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