Vantec NexStar 3 NST-360U2-BK 3.5-Inch IDE to USB 2.0 External Hard Drive Enclosure (Onyx Black)
by Vantec USA
List Price:
Our Price: $27.99
You Save: $19.00 (40%)
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Category: CE
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: Vantec USAModel: NST-360U2-BK
Product features:
- Mirror Finished Aluminum Casing Cools Down Your Hard Drive
- Easily Add Storage to Any System with USB or eSATA
- Hot-Swappable: Plug And Play Without Rebooting
- Compatible with PC or Mac
- Support 3.5-inch IDE Hard Drive up to 750GB
- AmazonBasics IEEE 1394 4-Pin/6-Pin FireWire Cable (6 Feet/1.8 Meters)
- AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI Braided Cable (6.5 Feet/2.0 Meters)
- AmazonBasics Ultra-High-Speed HDMI Cable Braided (9.8 Feet/3.0 Meters)
- AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI Cable (6.5 Feet/2.0 Meters)[Supports 3D + Audio Return Channel][OLD MODEL]
- AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI Cable (9.8 Feet/3.0 Meters) [Supports 3D + Audio Return Channel]
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Vantec NexStar 3 NST-360U2-BK 3.5-Inch IDE to USB 2.0 External Hard Drive Enclosure (Onyx Black)
Customer Review: NOT A GOOD DESIGN FOR MANY REASONS
Summary: 1 Stars
I purchased this Vantec product and used it for a short time. Most USB enclosures offer "heat dissipation thru the metal case", as does this one. However, I grew very concerned about how hot the Vantec became, especially after active operation.
Heat is a major enemy of electrical motors. The HDD obviously just cooks inside the Vantec. There is also a definitive difference between its temperature in stand-by mode, and during/immediately after active use.
I found another USB enclosure offering active ventilation: the Apricorn EZ Bus DT, which not only has a built-in fan, but IMHO, for several critical reasons, is a better design and a smarter choice. Here is why:
The Apricorn's 3-inch diameter fan is mounted transversely, so it pulls heat directly off the entire underside of the HDD and expels thru vents on either end of the case.
In comparison, the Vantec's internal chassis has a solid metal plate which covers the entire HDD circuit board (see the image I loaded above). The Vantec has no venting, so the heat inside builds up fast. I installed a 500GB HDD in the Apricorn and ran a 220+GB backup from the Vantec. Upon completion hours later, the Apricorn's exterior was completely cool to the touch; the Vantec's exterior was REALLY HOT.
A couple of other things I found superior about the Apricorn:
It's heavier with a wider base, compared to the Vantec's (3" vs. 1.5"). When mounted vertically, you can nudge the Vantec (or the desk it's sitting on) and it will fall over; it happened twice in the few days I used it. There would be major motion required to tip the Apricorn, and I've never toppled it in months of use.
The Apricorn's easy-action pushbutton power switch is conveniently (and sensibly) located on the front of the unit. The Vantec's is on the bottom of the rear panel (see photo above), but it's a stiff toggle-type switch and awkward to operate (it's underneath the power cord connector!). You have to hold the Vantec down with one hand firmly in order to get enough leverage to operate the balky switch... and you leave a nice handprint on the case, which then has to be cleaned. Do that a few times and the sexy "mirror finish" isn't going to look new for very long.
Also, the Vantec's internal PC board HDD cable is mounted off-center on from the socket on any HDD. You have to kink the Vantec's flat cable in order to complete the connection (see photo above). The Apricorn's is located exactly in line with the HDD's connector, and requires no stressing of the cable.
The Apricorn is available here on Amazon, but I found it for less at Page Computers. It is slightly higher in cost than the Vantec, but I'm convinced it is a much better product. Also, with Apricorn's active ventilation and greater physical stability, I have peace of mind about the longevity & safety of the expensive drive mounted inside it.
More Vantec NexStar 3 NST-360U2-BK 3.5-Inch IDE to USB 2.0 External Hard Drive Enclosure (Onyx Black) reviews:
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Description of Vantec NexStar 3 NST-360U2-BK 3.5-Inch IDE to USB 2.0 External Hard Drive Enclosure (Onyx Black)
Form and functionality collide with style in the NexStar 3 External Hard Drive Enclosure from Vantec. With its mirror finish, sleek curves and bold colors, the Vantec NexStar 3 stands out from the crowd. The sturdy drive cage protects your hard drive while the aluminum case effectively draws away the heat, protecting your drive from overheating. Available in 3 vivid colors (Onyx Black, Brilliant Red and Midnight Blue), the NexStar 3 lets you store your personal data in an enclosure that matches your style!Digital Cameras & Photo Categories
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