Hard Drive Docking Station

[Supernova]

Thermaltake BlacX Hard Drive Docking Station

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Specification

Enclosure Interface     eSATA
                       USB 2.0

Transfer Rate           eSATA: up to 3Gbps
                       USB 2.0: Up to 480Mbps

HDD Compatible          SATA I
                       SATA II

HDD Capacity            All 2.5" or 3.5" SATA HDD up to 2TB

OS Compatible           Windows 7 / Vista / XP / 2003 / 2000 / NT / 98 / 95
                       Mac 10.3 and later

Material                ABS Plastic

Power                   Input: 100-240V / 50-60Hz / 1A ; Output: 12V / 2A

Dimension               130 (L) x 90 (W) x 65 (H) mm
                       5.12 (L)  x 3.55 (W) x 2.56 (H) in

Accessory               eSATA Cable
                       USB 2.0 Cable
                       Power Adapter

Fan                     N/A

Weight                  2 lbs

Special Features        -Hot-Swap Capability for Rapid Multi HDDs Access & Exchange
                       -Compact Docking Station Design maximizes Heat Dissipation & Exhaust
                       -Supports eSATA Transfer Speed up to 3Gbps 

Is it available in retail outlets locally?

[keeniau96]

These are very common in the more geek oriented computer shops. In Phuket there are about 4 different versions of those units (Thermaltake just put their name on the one you are showing). All have similar function, toaster design with 1 or 2 HD slots in top, USB connection to computer. Cost about 1k baht. CyberEartch in basement of Big-C in Phuket, about 1/2 of the shops in Pantip Plaza in BKK. Can probably get from InvadeIT.com online (they are in Hua Hin).

[spacemunk]

havent seen that around but you can get Icy Dock locally.

[JetsetBkk]

I bought one of these in Cyber Earth, Big C, Phuket:

- Xsonic XD-360DD Hard Drive Dock.

After a few weeks of use my PC shut it off complaining that it was trying to take too much power from the USB port.

It's now a door stop.

[Pib]

If the Xsonic XD-360DD Hard Drive Dock is like most USB devices and came with a "USB-Y" cable to plug between it and the computer, be sure to plug both ends of the "Y portion" of cable into "two" USB computer ports as this will provide 1 amp at 5 volts, versus just 0.5A / 500 milliamps (MA) at 5 volts if plugging into one USB port on your computer.

The "continuous" current output from a single USB compuer port is limited to 500MA; but the port can briefly put out more current on device start up (e.g., like when plugging in a 2.5" SATA hard drive which can briefly surge to almost 1amp on startup then quickly tappers off to well under 500MA), but at a 500MA continuous current the port will shut down power on the port.

So, if plugging in both ends of the Y end of the USB cable to two USB computer ports, you could power the dock and devices plugged into it up to 1A / 1000 MA continuous power and X-amout more than 1A on dock/device startup/plug-in. This amount of current should easily power any 2.5" or 3.5" hard drive(s) made over the last 5 years or so. Now, if the XD-360DD is powered by a separate power adapter, then the dock/adaper must be defective as even more amperage/power capability would be available to the dock and devices plugged into it.

[Supernova]

Thanks for your replies and suggestions

Hope to get the "BlacX" as I've seen many positive reviews about it.

I'll be heading down to Pantip and/or Zeer this weekend, see what's available...

[spacemunk]

I bought one of these in Cyber Earth, Big C, Phuket:

- Xsonic XD-360DD Hard Drive Dock.

After a few weeks of use my PC shut it off complaining that it was trying to take too much power from the USB port.

It's now a door stop.

when using docks its always a must to use a self powered usb hub

[spacemunk]

ThermalTake BlacX Dute 2HDD

Price: 1,650 บาท

ThermalTake BlacX A

Price: 1,350 บาท

Available at Pantip TKcom. Its on the left of Jedicool.

[JetsetBkk]

If the Xsonic XD-360DD Hard Drive Dock is like most USB devices and came with a "USB-Y" cable to plug between it and the computer,

I never use them - always get the ones with an external power supply.

I even took an external USB CD/DVD writer back to Cyber Earth AND got my money back because the box didn't make it clear that it had a Y-cable and not a power supply.

<snip>

Now, if the XD-360DD is powered by a separate power adapter, then the dock/adaper must be defective as even more amperage/power capability would be available to the dock and devices plugged into it.

Exactly. Hence "door-stop" usage.

Having said that, a mate has one too and his is OK.

[JetsetBkk]

when using docks its always a must to use a self powered usb hub

Er, read the above post.

[JetsetBkk]

ThermalTake BlacX Dute 2HDD

Price: 1,650 บาท

<snip>

My "Xsonic" version was 1099 baht. Probably why it was crap.

It really pisses me off that most computer shops in Phuket stock the cheap unknown branded crap and clearly don't think people are willing to pay a bit more for quality.

[StrandedBusinessPerson]

ThermalTake BlacX Dute 2HDD

Price: 1,650 บาท

<snip>

My "Xsonic" version was 1099 baht. Probably why it was crap.

It really pisses me off that most computer shops in Phuket stock the cheap unknown branded crap and clearly don't think people are willing to pay a bit more for quality.

Looking for one of these today in BKK, but must have firewire 800, and does not have to be 2x, but that would be nice too! thx...