We test the latest X's Drive portable storage solution for photographers
Price: Guide price: 20GB version UK£139,
various capacities available up to 80GB (UK£199), without hard drive: UK£95.
Also available in black.
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Check the price of the Vosonic VP2160 at Picstop (UK) |
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On the face of it, the Vosonic VP2160 X's Drive II couldn't be much simpler. It's not an MP3 player, it doesn't have a colour screen for previewing your photos and there are only two buttons to confuse you and one of those is the power switch. Nope, this is a photographer's tool and not a lot more. The VP2160 makes a copy of all the files on a loaded memory card to its internal 2.5 inch hard drive so that you can connect and download then to a computer later. Connected via its USB 2.0 Hi-Speed cable, the VP2160 also doubles as a portable external hard drive, but that's the only bonus outside its tightly focussed design functionality.
Third generation
The VP2160 is a third generation product, preceded by the original
X's Drive and the
X's Drive II. The X's Drive II+ is a substantially redesigned product that is smaller, lighter and has a more sophisticated look. Gone is the simplistic status LCD screen, replaced by a larger and more informative one, though it's still not illuminated. Instead of two card slots on one side, the compact flash slot has been moved to one end of the case. xD PictureCards are now accommodated for in addition to Sony Memory Stick (including Pro cards), Compact Flash I and II, including Microdrives, SD, MMC and SmartMedia.
It's possible to change the internal lithium ion battery should this be required, but that would entail unscrewing the case. The battery is rated at between three and six hours of continuous use, depending on the hard drive installed, which we found to be about right. A universal 100-240V 50/60Hz mains electricity charger is provided.
Power puzzle
A rather unusual USB cable is supplied with the VP2160 – it has two plugs for the hub/host computer end. One is the standard USB 2.0 data connector, but a second is provided to draw extra current. We did encounter a problem with a cheap generic powered USB 2.0 hub, which was disabled the moment we connected and powered up our VP2160 using just one of the two USB connector. It also generated a Windows XP warning about USB hub power surges.
If you use a cheap, low-spec USB hub, you might see this error message
However, when connected using both connectors, all was well. Connection with just a single connector was reliable if the VP2160 was being powered from its mains adapter. We tried a Belkin powered USB 2.0 hub and this showed no problems at all, regardless of the combination of cables or power modes, even with its own power disconnected, so the finger points at the cheap generic hub, though there are probably a fair few of these circulating, so be warned.
USB devices, like the VP2160, can draw 5V from a USB port, but at a relatively low current. The VP2160 can recharge its battery via the USB port connection, though only when switched off. The VP2160's dual-headed USB cable enables it to draw power from two USB ports. It would seem that Vosonic has pre-empted the problem we experienced with low-spec USB hubs by providing the special cable, though it has to be said that we haven't experienced power surge errors with our cheap hub with other USB devices.
In use
The VP2160 must be one of the simplest devices around. All you need to do is insert a memory card, wait a second for the card to be identified and you are then prompted to press the copy button. All files on the card are then copied into a new sequentially numbered folder on the VP2160's hard drive. The card is not wiped, so the VP2160 can be used as a security back up device or you can simply format the card in the camera and re-use straight away.
When connecting to a computer via a USB port, if using Windows XP or ME or Mac OS 10, the VP2160 is a recognised plug and play device that doesn't require a separate driver. For older operating systems, drivers are provided. When connected, the VP2160 shows up as an external hard drive and the card slots are also accessible, so the unit doubles as tethered USB 2.0 card reader.
Cards inserted via the multi-standard side slot are well-recessed
SD, MMC, SmartMedia, xD (which is not indicated anywhere) and Memory Stick cards are all recessed well when inserted. However, the end-positioned Compact Flash slot was stiff, most of the card remains proud of the slot and it wasn't obvious when the card was correctly inserted.
Transfer speeds
We managed JPEG image file transfer rates from memory cards to the VP2160's internal hard drive of between 1.5MB/sec and 1.7MB/sec. This is better than earlier versions of the X's Drive, but most of this is probably down to the improved speed of the cards used. At 1.7MB/sec, it would take about ten minutes to copy a full 1GB card. Compared to some other Vosonic devices we have tested, like the
Vosonic VP6300 MMV, the VP2160 is measurably, if not dramatically, slower. When copying from the VP2160 to our PC via USB 2.0 Hi-Speed, we reached a transfer rate of 6.8MB/sec, which is OK, but, again, not as fast as some other similar devices we have tried, with the
Epson P-2000 reaching 9.5MB/sec, for example.
Performance is likely to vary according the hard drive fitted. As the VP2160 is available without a hard drive installed, you could, in theory, fit a very fast 7200RPM drive, though this would generate more heat and shorten battery life.
Ratings
Performance – Adequate, but we expected a bit more speed.
Average
Features – It's got practically everything a photographer really needs in a product like this, but nothing more.
Average
Ease of use – In general, it couldn't be easier. Only the shenanigans with the USB power issue caused us some head-scratching.
Good
Build quality – The VP2160 has a more refined look and finish, but the older version felt more hard-wearing.
Good
Value for money – The VP2160 does a very specific task and there are deals out there that offer a lot of storage for the money.
Good
The VP2160 comes with a hard wearing protective case
Overall ratings – At DPNow we don't much rate stars and percentages because they mean one thing to one reviewer and something else to another, but as the industry demands such devices, we reluctantly provide them, based on our concept of the product's target market, the competition and how we got on while testing it:
3.5 stars (out of 5)
Conclusions
Things we liked about the Vosonic VP2160 X's Drive II+:
• Simplicity
• Neat design
• Good value
• Battery is replaceable
• Battery can be charged via USB port
Things we didn't like:
• Transfer speeds
• Less rugged than its predecessor
• Compact Flash slot stiff and card sticks out
• LCD screen not illuminated
• USB port power issue with some hubs
Would we use a VP2160? – yes
Could we recommend one? – yes, with certain provisos covered.
If you don't need the extras of a colour screen for viewing images or a music player function, or controls to manage stored files, the VP2160 X's Drive II+ certainly works. But we'd have liked it to have worked a bit faster and the unusual USB power load issue is something that Vosonic need to sort out as soon as possible.
Check UK prices and size options for the VP2160 on PriceGrabber
Check the price of the Vosonic VP2160 at Picstop (UK)
Pictorial product tour
On this page we examine the Vosonic VP2160 X's Drive II+ in pictures:
The VP2160 is quite compact and finished in an anodised silver metallic look, though a black version is also available. The SD card mounted us well-recessed.
Although only Memory Stick, SD, MMC and SmartMedia cards are labelled, the VP2160 will also take xD cards.
Above is a close up of a SmartMedia card inserted. Next to it on the right are the power socket and USB mini port. There is also a recessed reset button.
At one end of the unit is the Type I/II Compact Flash slot.
And this is as far as a CF card will go into the slot.
The base of the unit is rather unexciting! To gain access in order to install a hard drive or change the battery, requires removing screws on the sides of the unit.
A worldwide universal power adapter (above the UK market version) is provided.
The unlit mono screen now uses a matrix display instead of its predecessor's pre-formed legends.
Here the unit indicates that an SD card has been detected and there is 18.20GB of free space on the hard drive. All you need to do now is press the copy button to clone the contents of the card onto the VP2160's drive.
While a copy is progress, the status of each file being transferred is indicated in % completed. It would have been better if a percentage of the total copy job was indicated instead. The number of files copied is shown, but not the number of remaining files.
Check UK prices and size options for the VP2160 on PriceGrabber
Check the price of the Vosonic VP2160 at Picstop (UK)
Specifications
| Memory cards Supported | Compactflash Card type I / type II (CF)
IBM Microdrive
Smartmedia Card (SM)
Memory Stick (MS)
Memory Stick Pro (MS Pro)
Secure Digital (SD)
MultiMediaCard (MMC)
XD Picture cards (XD)
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| LCD | Black and White LCD displays
- Amount of battery power
- File transfer status
- Main Storage (HDD) Capacity Indicator
- Memory card / HDD error indicator
- USB Access
- Charge Status
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| Hard Disk | Supports data transmission from memory card(s) to built-in 2.5 Hard drive
Backup all kinds of files as the 2.5' external HDD, USB card reader / writer
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| Power Source | Internal Power: Li-ion rechargeable battery
3.7V x 1 (1100mA)
Model Number:Fuji-NP60
External Power : 5V adapter (2.5A))
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| Supply Voltage | na
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| Supply Current | na
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| Battery life | 3 hours (full charge)
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| Download interface | Fast USB 2.0 Interface port
(Backward compatibility with USB 1.1)
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| Download Speed | Up to 480Mbps
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| Files System | Support Standard FAT 12/16/32
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| PC Peripheral | USB 2.0 Interface with standard storage device
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| OS Supported | Windows 98/98SE, Win 2000 (with driver)
Win ME/XP, Linux Kernel version 2.4 or above without driver
Mac OS 8.6 - 9.0 with driver
Mac OS 10.0.1 and above without driver
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| Accessories | Power adapter / USB cable / user's guide / Driver Disc
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| Storage Temperature | -40oC / 70oC
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| Operating Temperature | 0oC / 70oC
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| Humidity | 90% RH
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| Weight | 230g (including HD & Battery)
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| Dimensions | 116 x 78 x 23 mm
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Check UK prices and size options for the VP2160 on PriceGrabber
Check the price of the Vosonic VP2160 at Picstop (UK)
