Vosonic Devices

Has anyone got, used or has any review on the VOSONIC VP5500 it is another option I am looking at for storage, any help appreciated.
Lilly

The Epson devices have much better screens (using 4 rather than 3 colours) - no contest really as a photo viewer.

The Epson P3000 & 5000 are available quite cheaply now, as new models are available with bigger storage.

R

I have a much cheaper, more basic Vosonic device which I am very happy with.
You should be aware that the VP5500 doesn't support K20DRAW, only K10D and earlier. There is a firmware upgrade available from the Vosonic site which may include K20D RAW.
Vosonic have a good reputation with regard to image tanks and reliability.

Are you intending on getting it as a second backup device - since you were also asking about laptops in another thread?

Thanks, Reuben, Gosh the price of a 80GB is the price of a laptop!

Gwyn, I was considering this as I am away only 10 weeks now and to forget about a laptop and buy one of these devices instead. I liked the price of the one I mentioned and its spec, but presumed it wd be K20D compatible, thanks for pointing that out, as my K20D is actually winging its way to me now!!!
I asked here because I have searched and searched for reviews on it and only found one and that was a bad one!

So, which one do you have, can you view the images OK ?

Mine doesn't have a screen - it is purely a storage device. We too were looking for something not too pricey (which cut out the Epsons) that was easy to carry to put photos on when we went to Tanzania, and opted for the most basic model we could find. It works purely as a hard drive so doesn't need software for handling different file types. Downside of that is of course that you can't check if the photos have been transferred properly. Up side is that the battery lasts a lot longer on a charge as we are not looking at the photos! A not unimportant feature when staying in a tent in the middle of the Serengeti, with no electricity.
We would probably go for the VP550 or similar now if we were to replace the one we have.
Have you thought about one of the mini laptops like the Asus EEE of the small Acer?

£190 would buy a large number of memory cards.

For some reason the feeling appears to be that a hard disc based device is more reliable. I'm not convinced - anything that has moving parts and stops and starts is inherently liable to failure.

I agree with you. I'd buy a shed load of medium capacity cards and then sell them off on my return.

Mike

Thinking about this now Gwyn, 1kg, nice spec. wit 6 cell battery, no writer though, but can buy a DVD writer to plug in - another thought!
WIND & DVD WRITER

I see your point, but I would need 30-40 2GB Sandisks for a 10 week trip, a lot of dosh!

40 2GB Sandisk Ultra II SD cards = £199.60 from play.com.

10 8GB Sandisk Ultra II SD cards = £169.90 from play.com, with card readers.

I can understand the attraction of a machine for backup and viewing, but it won't be a backup if you don't have any other copy of your pictures. Then it will be the sole storage medium and will be at least as vulnerable (if not more vulnerable) to damage and loss as SD cards, while being bigger and heavier as well.

My idea Pete is for me to burn the RAWS (with the WIND & LG burner) I want to keep onto two sets of DVD's and post one set home. Plus I shall have room on this set up to store them on the HD as well.

How much of an issue is theft in India? I have no idea and that laptop and burner could be a target but I do see your logic. It's a pity you can't upload the RAW files onto some web space but not many packages give you 80 GB.

When I went to Japan I just took lots of cards and had the option of copying them to my Son's PC but never bothered, too much to do!

I'm still envious of your trip.

Mike

In that case, I think something like the Vosonic would be a good idea after all.

I have the Vosonic 8360 & it's proven very reliable...I'd agree with comments about the screens though, it's not the best & only really usable as confirmation that the photos are on the hard-drive....to be honest Vosonic aren't the best at firmware updates either so personally I wouldn't buy one again

simon

I have been thinking about this... if an SD card is taken out of a K10D or a K20D to download to one of these devices, should it make any difference? My logic says no, but if anyone knows different please tell. I think maybe they dont mention the K20D because it wasn't made then! Bit like the K10D battery grip which says only compatible with K10D!

Lilly