Comments about HyperDrive Sanho HyperDrive Space, 40 GB Memory Card Backup Storage Device for 18 Types of Memory Cards.:

I left a previous positive review for this product but had to come back and leave a more accurate review. After owning this product for less than a month, it broke. "HDD NOT FOUND" is all I can get from it in spite of following all of the instructions provided by Sanho to revive it. Back-up equipment that is not reliable is a complete waste of money and I will be exchanging this unit for something more reliable.

Comments about HyperDrive Sanho HyperDrive Space, 40 GB Memory Card Backup Storage Device for 18 Types of Memory Cards.:

Fantastic product that is incredibly fast. As a wedding photographer I was looking for a fast on-location back-up method, and this works perfectly.

It's optimized for SanDisk Extreme III and IV cards (which luckily I happen to use) and it downloads my 4 gig SanDisk Extreme cards (I shoot in RAW) in 3 minutes and 40 seconds. It's also much faster to download from this device to my computer than from the cards to my computer. And best of all, you can tell it to download all of the files/folder from the day, so when we come home from a wedding I can pop it in to download and let it work overnight without having to be there to download each individual card.

That being said, I have only used it for three shoots so far, so I can't attest to its long term reliability. I was also disappointed that my power cord is slightly defective--if it gets wiggled at little at point where the plug meets the cord, it doesn't work. (That kept it from getting a full 5 stars.)

Comments about HyperDrive Sanho HyperDrive Space, 40 GB Memory Card Backup Storage Device for 18 Types of Memory Cards.:

I keep this in my camera bag whether I'm on the road or around town. I shoot in Adobe.DNG and don't want to store all my photos on DVD (at 200 photos per DVD) until I weed out the duplicates and so on. This frees up my 4 2Gb. and 2 4Gb. cards in the field, then again in the car while it recharges on my way to the next location.
The only issue is Upgrading by swapping out the Hard Drive if your not sure what your doing. I'll use the 250 Gb. HDD that came in my LapTop when I put 2 Faster Hard Drives in my LapTop, you should make sure your computer can read a Hard Drive larger than 120 Gb. before upgrading, if you ever find you need more HyperDrive Space.

Comments about HyperDrive Sanho HyperDrive Space, 40 GB Memory Card Backup Storage Device for 18 Types of Memory Cards.:

Great storage device. I have used a few similar devices in the past few years, and I like this best. I like the user interface, and the fact that it is possible and easy to format the device by it's own - no computer needed.

Comments about HyperDrive Sanho HyperDrive Space, 40 GB Memory Card Backup Storage Device for 18 Types of Memory Cards.:

This is an excellent, reliable, well-designed piece of equipment. The user interface is very straightforward, the instruction manual completely clear, and the device works as advertised. Using 2GB SD cards, I was able to transfer a full card (about 200 images) in 6 to 7 minutes. Note that the device is optimized for CF cards, but this is still fast!

I particularly liked the feature that enables one to check the directory on the drive to assure oneself that the files have been transferred and that the file size is identical to that recorded on the card.

The device is small enough to slip into one of the front pouch pockets of a Tamrac Express 5 bag, but fits well in the hand. It seems very solidly made, although the card slots are open.

I used it daily during a recent trip to back up about 16GB of data (1800 images). It worked perfectly and the battery was still showing an almost full charge.

Highly recommended

Comments about HyperDrive Sanho HyperDrive Space, 40 GB Memory Card Backup Storage Device for 18 Types of Memory Cards.:

The user manual is easy to follow and overall operation is straightforward. The backlit display stays on for a useful 10 seconds or so at a time before turning off. The padded case is a snug fit and even includes a belt loop to allow easy access on the waist or backpack strap.

For performance comparison I filled a Sandisk Extreme IV 8GB CF card with 591 RAW images from my EOS 5D.
A straight copy with NO VERIFY took 12 mins and 51 seconds.
A copy with 7:1 verifying (1 out of every 7 files) took 15 mins and 45 seconds.
A copy with FULL VERIFY took 35 mins and 20 seconds.

The same CF card of files in a USB 2.0 card reader took 21 mins and 1 second to transfer directly to the laptop disk.

Connecting the Hyperdrive to the same laptop's USB port took 10 mins and 37 seconds to transfer the same files to the laptop disk.

Although the Hyperdrive CF slot cannot be used directly as a card reader - my results show it is almost as quick to transfer CF files to the Hyperdrive disk - and then from Hyperdrive disk to Laptop anyway!

Further tests also involved 158 RAW images on a Sandisk III 2GB card:
A straight copy with NO VERIFY took 3 mins and 10 seconds.
A copy with FULL VERIFY took 8 mins and 38 seconds.

Transferring 32GB of data (4 lots of 8GB CF card) onto the HyperDrive Space reduced a fully charged battery to a ‘half charged’ indicator.

The included USB cable also comes with a car 12V charger adaptor so the same lead can charge from your laptop or car. The metal case feels robust and yet manages to remain lightweight.

After one week of intermittent use I reckon this is an excellent and very useful piece of kit. Although I bought the 40GB version I reckon this will give me storage for about 2,400 RAW images. However, I intend to self-install a 120GB disk in the coming months and the included miniature keyring screwdriver and spare screws may therefore also be useful!