Software:

    Unless you are still using old Windows 98, yes, this is 2004, you don't need a driver. Windows ME, 2000, and XP variations will auto detect and install a driver for you. If you are a newbie, or those interested, can take a look at the manual included on the CD by clicking picture 15.

(13) CD splash screen	(15) Manual - Click the pic for it!

    While I fought the urge to throw a few different drives at the NexStar, I chose to use the below Deathstar, I mean Deskstar...Not the fastest drive on the market, but I'd rather use an older 5400 RPM model in this enclosure anyway. One, since I think this would be more typical of what an end user would use anyway. Two, there aren't any vent holes, so your drive is probably gonna get a bit toasty with use. the Deskstar peaked at 41C in use, and during testing. I was able to sneak a probe in through the LED hole. That is probably 5C or 6C, or even more, than what a Hard Drive would be in a reasonably well vented case. Hard Drives have operating conditions, and as far as I know, most are at about 55C, so it's clearly still safe.

(14) HDD installed

Plugged in:

    The two following pictures speak for themselves.

(17) Firewire installed (XP)	(18) USB 2.0 installed (XP)

Testing:

    Testing was done with XP Pro SP1, on a DFI LanParty Rev. A mainboard. AMD XP 1700+ JIUHB @ 2.2 GHz, (200x11) vcore 1.75, 512 generic PC2700, blah, blah, blah. Since the DFI board supports setting the USB to 1.1 and 1.1/2.0, and has built in Firewire, it is a perfect candidate for a test bed. I used Sisoft Sandra Max 3 for the test results. I had tested with HD Tune 2.10, but it sure didn't like testing the unit via Firewire. Even though I don't have any other Firewire external enclosures, I'm very certain it is a software issue with HD Tune. Below are the results.

    I copied data back and forth from the NexStar via USB 2.0, and Firewire. I never had any file corruption, or so I could tell. As you can see from the results above, even with an older ata100 hard drive, the speed at which files are transferred is respectable. Notice USB 2.0 isn't all that it is cracked up to be...


Problems?:

    I'll go back in time here for a bit. With the exception of the above testing, all previous pictures were done before hand. When it was time for testing, I could not get any hard drive to show up. I tried my workstation, my laptop, nothing. Eventually it was determined that my initial review unit was faulty, because I was sent another one, and it worked like a champ! Off the top of my head, I've never received a fully faulty test product before. I'll chalk it up to just some strange occurrence. For example, being in the PC repair business for a while, I've received, or have seen brand new parts be faulty. Whether it happens in shipping, or whatever. Stuff like that happens. It's no big deal, and that is where I am leaving it.

    However, that does give me a slight advantage though. When I opened the second unit, plop, a clear piece of plastic popped onto the floor. I actually didn't know what it was, until I got my flashlight out, and saw what it was. It's a small clear piece of plastic that sits above the green (power on) / red (activity) LED. Initially I had taken apart the unit downstairs on my (needs refinishing bad) wood floor with some white paper down. I did not see, nor hear that piece of plastic drop before. Going back to picture 10, it wasn't in the unit it seems, or mine fell out unknowingly, and my beagle ate it. Vantec has to fix that. Also going back to picture 11, my IDE cable on the second unit was not zip tied. I undid mine for testing, because it was way too hard to jam the ide cable, and the power cable down in the unit. If yours is zip tied, I'd clip it. It'll be much easier to manage stuffing everything in so you can close your NexStar.

    I've also noticed, if you turn your PC and NexStar off, turn the NexStar on before you power up your PC. It just might be me, and my nForce 2 Ultra 400 chipset, but I have had issues if I turned it on after powering on the PC, or after windows loads, the disk will not show up. If you leave your PC on all the time, like most of us really do, you shouldn't have any issues...


Summary:

    Putting everything together with the ridiculously small screws isn't the most enjoyable experience. I hope you don't swap out Hard Drives often. Vantec however did something at least in a better way to be more friendly. Include a screwdriver, and an extra bag of screws. Hint; assemble at a table, and not on a carpet. Those eyeglass small screws will disappear on you if dropped.

    But all in all, this NexStar 3.5" enclosure is portable, if you don't mind packing up your power brick and perhaps cable(s), if you don't have extra. I'm sure though most users will just want to utilize that extra Hard Drive that they have laying around. Even though you can buy 3.5" enclosures from many companies with the Hard Drive included, this product still has a large niche. As long as you format your disk with Fat32, PC's, Macs, and Linux for that matter, will be able to read and write to this unit. And that is a good thing! But format it however you want. Mine was cleanly formatted Fat32 before I even put it into the NexStar.

(16) NexStar in stand

Pros:

   • USB 2.0 and Firewire support
   • Aluminum side construction should dissipate heat.
   • Easy assembly, if you don't mind small screws
   • All cables included
   • Extra set of all screws included
   • Small screwdriver included
   • On/Off button power button on unit



Cons:

   • Short USB and Firewire cables
   • Plastic LED filler loose
   • Small screws to attach sides
   • No protection against sliding and scratching on the bottom of the stand
   • 3.5" drives aren't that durable* unlike 2.5" drives
 

"This enclosure should be considered if you need something of this sort."

* Note:

    That is the case with all 3.5" drives, and enclosures. Spinning + Drop = Death. Not to mention even, No Spinning + Drop = Probable Death too. 2.5" drives (laptop drives) are much more forgiving if an accident happens. They are designed for that.


Closing:

    I'd like to thank Vantec for sponsoring a unit for review. Visit the Vantec site for where to buy, and more info on all their products. I hope you enjoyed the review. Thanks for coming by. Until next time...
 

Home ^^^