Thermaltake BlacX Duet eSATA USB Dual Hard Drives Docking Station ST0014U
by Thermaltake
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Category: CE
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Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: ThermaltakeModel: ST0014U
Product features:
- Read & Write 2 Hard Drives simultaneously (Note: Device's eSATA must support the "port multiplier" function to see both drives, USB will automatically detect)
- Supports All 2.5" & 3.5" SATA Hard Drives up to 2TB (per slot)
- Supports eSATA Transfer Speed up to 3.0 Gbps, USB 2.0 Transfer Speed up to 480 Mbps
- Windows & Mac OS Compatible
- Rapid Data Access & Exchange w/ Single eSATA or USB Cable Connection
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Thermaltake BlacX Duet eSATA USB Dual Hard Drives Docking Station ST0014U
Customer Review: Didn't work with 2 esata cards; rudest tech support in over 25 years.
Summary: 1 Stars
My return window for this product has expired, as I spent all my time replacing the esata cards, thinking that it was an issue with them.
For reference, I have been trying to get this unit to work on a Macbook Pro (non-unibody) running Snow Leopard 10.6.2
I tried a Sonnet Tempo Expresscard/34 -- which supports port multiplication,
along with an Apiotek Expresscard/34 card that also supports port multiplication.
Both of these cards use the Silicon Image 3132 chipset.
After installing newest drivers for the Sonnet card, flashing the bios for the Apiotek card -- and even installing beta drivers from the Silicon Image site that supposedly resolve issues with Snow Leopard -- the card will not mount the drives. If I navigate to Disk Utility, the program then locks up with the pinwheel.
If I use my older Syba, 1-port JMicron-based expresscard/34 esata controller -- which also is listed as supporting port multiplication (but only insert one of the drives), the drive immediately works as normal. If I insert the 2nd drive, however, it simply does not mount.
I had also done a reformat of my Mac, and this occurred both before and after that -- so this leads me to believe that it's not some "funky" software causing conflicts.
At this point, after all of the above, it seems plausible to me that there is some incompatibility between the Dock and cards based on the Silicon Image 3132 chipset. I spent a good deal of time on tech support with Sonnet (one of the esata cards, a well-regarded company), and the knowledgeable, helpful support representative came to the same conclusion: the JMicron card works fine, the Silicon Image based ones not...and that seems to point to an incompatibility issue, whether with their 3132-based cards, or the dock itself.
When I called Thermaltake tech support for guidance -- and I must say I'm not exaggerating here, the gentleman I spoke with was extremely rude -- and was actually defensive in saying it's, "Obviously a problem with the esata card," and insisted that there is no incompatibilities with their dock. By simply mentioning that it didn't work with two different makes of esata cards who use the 3132 chipset, and doesn't show both drives on a 1-slot esata card that supports port-multiplication, the gentleman (not so gently) barked back: "Well fine -- I can issue you an RMA, but it's not going to do any good! What's your email?!"
At the end of our conversation, he said a flat "thank you" and hung up the phone with some audible force.
I'm not saying Thermaltake doesn't make great products -- they do; I have their one-slot BlacX esata dock, and it has continually worked wonderfully for me. However, having tech support that rude, after I spent much time trying to get their product to work, spending more money, and missing out on my return time period in the process -- to have him act that rude left a bitter taste in my mouth. I didn't call yelling at him about their product -- I was simply looking to figure out the issue, and relayed my findings / dealings with the other company, to which he responded: "Those companies will say anything in order to make it 'not their fault'," which is quite ironic -- considering he was the only one doing that.
At this point I am stuck with this unit. I apparently can RMA it, but since the tech support rep made absolutely no effort in trying to resolve my situation, if I replace the unit, the incompatibility is likely to persist.
FYI: The tech support representatives name is Jeremy DeLong. Maybe he just wasn't having a good day, but I can't say that he hasn't affected my view of Thermaltake at least a little.
I feel disappointed with this purchase, and while incompatibilities do exist -- and are sometimes expected -- to not even receive cordial support from the company whom I purchased it from, and for him to scoff at the notion that an incompatibility may even exist...seems a bit much for a paying customer to have to deal with.
Based on my experience with this product, I can't give it more than one star -- though obviously many users may have different experiences.
3 esata cards later, however, this unit does not work as it is advertised...and the company touting it has not helped, either.
Take the above for what it's worth.
More Thermaltake BlacX Duet eSATA USB Dual Hard Drives Docking Station ST0014U reviews:
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Description of Thermaltake BlacX Duet eSATA USB Dual Hard Drives Docking Station ST0014U
Industry's most trusted hard drive docking station is now twice as convenient. BlacX Duet now offers two slots to turn any Serial ATA hard drives into external USB 2.0 or eSATA storage device in minutes. Moving large chunks of videos, musics or data files between hard drives will now happen in blazing speed (up to 3.0 Gbps for eSATA or 480Mbps for USB 2.0) instead of the slow network cable. The dock supports all 2.5 inch or 3.5 inch SATA hard disk drives up to 2 TB. Installation requires no screws or tools whatsoever. Simply pop your hard drive into the dock, plug it into your computer and you are set! Hot-swap support means you can use multiple hard drives with your computer without having to reboot. The dock also maximizes heat dissipation and exhaust to protect your device from damage and extend its life. Compatibility with both PCs and Macs makes the BlacX Duet adapt to multi platform environments.Digital Cameras & Photo Categories
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