Backup SD card without a PC?

beercan

beercan

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Steve
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Hi,

I'm going abroad and don't want to carry a laptop with me, but need the ability to backup my SD cards as I'm not sure I'll have suitable PC access.

I looked at this thread but it's quite old now and wonder if these producs have evolved?

I want something I can either plug a SD card into, and back up automatically maybe this?, or something I can plug another SD or large USB stick into to copy the images to it.
I have HDDs I can use already so I don't need to buy extra storage.

Can anyone help please? :help:

Thanks!
 
I have an old Epson P2000 which I've used for this in the past. The downsides are that it's slow and it doesn't allow me to view the files produced by modern cameras as the filesizes are too large! With smaller files it's fine, has a lovely screen and works well, although the speed of use is an issue! These days I just make sure I've got enough memory cards with me so I don't need to reformat while I'm away - SD cards are so cheap these days it's the most cost effective option.
 
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I use my Nexus 7 tablet with an OTG cable and a cheap SD card reader.
From here I can copy the files onto other SD cards or a USB drive, using "Nexus Media Importer", which now supports both read and write functionality without having to "root" the device.
 
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I had a device a while ago, can't remember what it was called though, but I broke the screen on it when my bag was knocked. I've been thinking of getting one of these http://www.hypershop.com/HyperDrive-COLORSPACE-UDMA-s/64.htm which look very good and come in all sorts of capacities. Other than that the Epson range look very good but the newer ones do look a bit pricey and I know Canon make a similar device but I can't remember what its called. I assume the Canon one will be compatible with Nikon cameras as it's just using memory cards, but I don't know whether you'd be able to view raw files made by the Nikon range. They are quite pricey too though.

After breaking my card reader/viewer I decided to get a small netbook, with around 200GB storage, and a card reader. They are nice and light, don't take up a lot of room and you can store loads of photos on them.
 
beercan said:
I'm going abroad and don't want to carry a laptop with me, but need the ability to backup my SD cards as I'm not sure I'll have suitable PC access.
Click to expand...

I take a 10" tablet with a laptop hard drive in an external enclosure. Doesn't weigh too much and I have a proper backup: images stored in a second location.
 
Hi,

I have an Archos 5 (old now) 250gb hd with screen. With an extra accessory you can plug in usb devices (ie cameras) and copy the contents like you would on a pc.

I admit, Archos have gone way down in my opinion as their customer service is pretty much non existant (only for the most up to date products).

But something like that is probably what you'd need?
I thought there used to be several options out there that can do it, specifically for cameras.

Possibly something like this (there seem to be variations in size) ?
 
digital said:
I take a 10" tablet with a laptop hard drive in an external enclosure. Doesn't weigh too much and I have a proper backup: images stored in a second location.
Click to expand...

If that works for you, that's great :)

But I feel I must point out (for the benefit of others) that people should check the maximum power output of their devices USB ports before using such devices, an unpowered external 2.5" hard drive will need around 800mA to 1200mA. This is why they come with Y cables, to spread the load between 2 ports.

Most USB ports are specced at 500mA and plugging in something that draws 900mA into one of these is going to do one of two things:

1) The USB port will limit the output current at 500mA and the drive simply won't work.

2) The USB port won't limit the output, the port will pass too much current, the PCB track designed for 500mA will heat up and start to melt at it's weakest point (or an internal fuse will trip), turning your tablet or laptop into a virtual doorstop.

USB ports are now expected to do things which they were not originally designed for, so just check your devices user manual and make sure your not going to do it any damage.
 
Thanks guys, I think I'll go for a few backup SD cards and use one per day! :)
 
Not being picky, but that's not a backup. You still have your images in only one place. You need to copy them to a second 'location' to have a backup.
 
I brought a HyperDrive COLORSPACE following the failure of a card on site and the loss of a days work. It works really well, turn it on put the card in and it copies the contents of an 8 GB card unsupervised in about 4 mins. The 160GB version is about $350 including shipping to the UK. Can be recharged from the mains, cigarette lighter socket or USB port.
 
digital said:
Not being picky, but that's not a backup. You still have your images in only one place. You need to copy them to a second 'location' to have a backup.
Click to expand...

This is very true. But with the relatively low price of SD cards, even Sandisk Extremes, swapping them out daily will be a cheaper and easier option for me.

Thanks, :thumbs:
 
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