The reason I bought this case is to build my own "super fast" eSATA drive. I also bought an eSATA 3.0gb drive as well as a PCI-E card. I have tried many compbinations but I cannot get the drive work in 3.0gb mode. The only way to make it work is to jumper the hdd to 1.5gb. So, if you have a HDD drive and a PCI card that are 3.0Gb compatible, this enclosure will limit your drive's speed to 1.5Gb. It is a really nice enclosure, made with professional grade materials, but if you are looking for the top speed this one will not cut it. Vantec NexStar 3 NST-360SU-BK 3.5-Inch SATA to USB 2.0 and eSATA External Hard Drive Enclosure (Onyx Black)
I bought a NexStar enclosure early last month to use a 250GB Seagate SATA internal HD I'd mistakenly bought last year when looking for the older IDE sort. Until finding reference to SATA ensclosures with USB 2.0 attachments, I thought I only had the option of putting the SATA drive in my G-5.
The enclosure went together quickly (including connecting a separate light cable) and the SATA HD using just the USB cable popped onto the screen to be initialized just like an IDE drive. Though it can be inferred from the product description that this NexStar enclosure will work with USB connections at the slower USB 2.0 speed, I'll just make it clear that this product comes with a SATA cable that allows faster SATA data rates in the case of you having such a SATA port in your computer--but if not, the enclosure will allow you to operate a SATA HD with the USB connection alone. Very handy--as it allows you to replace SATA drives from a a Apple G-5 and install the old one in the SATA enclosure to make use of the data. Nice way to upgrade and still use the old HD.
Haven't run the enclosure long enough to comment on heat issues. I'm inclined to run external HD's for a limited time as they are needed for back-up, so any heat build up would likely be avoided if it is an issue at all. The NexStar appears to be made of sheet metal and is not nearly as robust as Acomdata's aluminum brick enclosure--but Acomdata doesn't seem to offer a SATA to USB enclosure.
I was looking for an Enclosure with eSATA and USB that could handle a 2 Terabyte internal drive. This works so far. I haven't tested the eSata. I put a Hitachi Deskstar 2TB SATA HD32000 IDK/7k drive in it and it works fine. You do have to use the disk management program in Windows to first initialize it and then format it. I chose simple volume which is the most common format type if you don't need RAID. The specs said it goes up to 1.5 TB so I wasn't sure it could do 2TB in one partition but it seems fine. I like the no fan to break and slim design. If I load more than about 30GB at a time I give it a rest to cool down a little just in case. But, it only seems a little warm not bad. It wasn't plug and play though. You do need to take those two steps to get the computer to see it as an external drive. Was able to get the Hitachi 2TB drive for $108 on sale. So, a pretty cheap combo external drive setup. Good luck.
As of 4/28/11, Vantec says only Version 1.02 will support 3TB drives. This is indicated on the outside of the box next to the barcode and not on the unit itself. Not sure if Amazon can check what version they have in stock. Also, it depends on the OS on whether the enclosure will support 2TB or 3TB. Windows 7 & Vista will support 3TB on the eSATA and the USB. XP will only support 2TB for both the eSATA and USB.
This is an excellent product, with a first-class design, both in its operation and in its classy appearance. It has a very small footprint in the vertical position. I have it sitting on a 1/2 inch styrofoam pad, which I do as a matter of course with drives of this sort in order to lessen any vibration effects. However, there are none at all; it is impossible, either by sound or feel, to detect that the drive is running.
It was very easy to install a 500gb Seagate Barracuda SATA drive, which of course required formatting before use. After formatting, the drive worked as expected, with no fussing or fiddling. Most important, the fan-less aluminum enclosure runs very cool. The warmest surface temperature which I measure using a laser spot thermometer (in an ambient surrounding of 75 degrees F) is 95 degrees F.
All pros and no cons!!
I bought this enclosure for my 400GB SATA drive and it fits great and works great. Nice sleek, glossy design makes it stand out !! the installation is soo easy and the user manual is well documentated for 1st timers.
it doesnt make any noise (well depends on ur HDD), the enclosure does a good job in dissipating the heat out, so no need for a fan !!
One minor improvement is I wish there is some kinda clip which joins the casing and the front silver opening through which the HDD is fitted inside. So, when we fittign is done, we have to push the silver side towards the enclosure, which needs some pressure and there could be a tiny gap if enough pressure is not applied.
Overall, great product.. Highly recommended. - External Hard Drive - Drive Enclosures - Hard Drive Case - Sata'
Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information
