Great review. While an interesting product, the last thing I want to do is deal with a NAS when backing up on the go. I just need a place to dump my days work for emergencies. $400 dollars without drives is a no go for me but then again this product doesn't fit into my workflow.
Way too complicated and expensive without any advantage. I don't like that it doesn't have a screen so I can confirm what has been transfered. And I don't like that it "transfers" files rather than "copies" the files. What if the process partially fails so the it removes the files from your card but fails to write to the unit's storage (I have had this happen before). I currenty simply carry plenty of memory cards (cheap, tiny, and tough). When I am done for the day I can make extra file copies using my camera's 2 card slots or a tablet (1tb), or my phone (1tb), mini-laptop, or SSD. This process results in me having 3 full copies (in my pocket, in my carry-on bag, and in my checked luggage).
My Sony A7R will transfer images to my cellphone via an app, and I can connect a portable SSD HD to the USB port of my cellphone for backup. That's a good enough solution for me given the volume of photos I'm typically taking. The ability to connect the external HD to my cellphone and have it appear as a storage option was actually a pleasant surprise the first time I tried it.
It’s a neat concept, but I think it’s overpriced for what it offers. You could easily do something similar for far less. I get the need does an all in one solution, but if it fails you’re out of luck.
An interesting idea - but it sounds too complicated and may be prone to malfunction due to lack of weather sealing. Not sure why it cannot support Fuji GFX. The best and simplest system is Hasselblad's X2D camera with 1TB internal storage and CF express. One backs up the other whichever way round you want. Simple and straightforward. Many thanks
Fuji has 2 card slots, hasselblad has one. Putting two cards in is the same as the internal SSD. The backup solution seems to be intended for backup beyond internal, so not like the hasselblad
@@ChrisThe1 An interesting take on the fuji, and yes - one of the slots could be regarded as as an internal back up. I am not sure why the UT2 cannot support Fuji. Somehow I missed Todd's explanation so will take another look at the video. Thanks
I’m still new to this but can I use western digital black ssd’s? They seem to be faster but not sure if it’s the right call if I go for this. I’m a videographer and want to edit off of ssds for that speed if that helps.
I tried formatting different brands of SD cards using my GFX, and they all failed to mount. Appears to be more of a problem with whatever formatting scheme the cameras use. Weird, especially since I have no trouble reading those same cards elsewhere.
What kind of d/l speeds (card to device) do you achieve with CFExpress with this device? CloudZen Tainer (which can hold a single NVME SSD) is reported to achieve 500MB/s.
I don't think having RAID is the reason for calling this device a NAS, to be honest! I'd say it's more to do with the Ethernet and wifi functionality. It does look like an interesting device, although a small display would be welcome for configuration rather than needing a secondary device with an app, etc.
Are you referring to the WD My Passport? From what I can see that product has been discontinued. Please let me know if there's a similar product from them that's available.
I run a nas at home for photo backup and media server, so I get the added complexity and benefits this has over a standard ssd. But like you said, for a portable unit for field work I’d want longer battery life and weather sealing… and a micro sd slot.
Great review, I just backed today on Kickstarter. I might have a question: can you also attach an external SSD to the UnifyDrive and copy the files to the external SSD? I normally back up twice and safe the back-ups at different places (suitcase and cameraback for example) in case one of them gets lost or stolen. If so, can I also check the content of the external SSD through the UnifyDrive App?
I’d recommend waiting to see how this campaign works out. You could also accomplish the same thing with a travel router and a far more capable N100 mini pc running Linux and CasaOS. I have a similar setup as being used as a traveling media server
Yes and no. The UnifyDrive mobile app has most of the same functionality as the desktop app, but more limited when managing files on external cards and drives. With the desktop app you can browse everything on media cards and external drives, then copy/delete files all you want. The mobile app (at the time of this review) is more for browsing files saved to the UT2's SSDs.
