Rugged Hard Disc?

[smbisig]

anyone have any reconmendations for a rugged bus powered computer hard disc?

the plan is to hard mount a bus powered hard disk into my vehicle. load it with OS X (mac) and when i go exploring, plug my Powerbook G4 and boot of the hard mounted hard disc. this way, i can save all the map, gps info and other important information only needed while out exploring.

while driving, the computer will be a sleep in its pelican case home.

im thinking about the http://www.lacie.com/products/product.htm?pid=10720 but i wanted to see if anyone has any suggestions. thanks in advance!

[flyingwil]

In addition to the LaCie have this book marked for my CarPC build:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/security/7948/

[smbisig]

In addition to the LaCie have this book marked for my CarPC build:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/security/7948/

looks pretty cool, but kind of $$$$$$$$$

thanks.

[Scott Brady]

How much space are you needing over the powerbook?

There are some very interesting solid state solutions coming onto market.

What mapping applications do you use? There have been a few discussions on Apple solutions.

http://www.storagesearch.com/ssd-18.html

Small, lightweight, rugged construction providing removable, reliable data storage
Locking access door with door open detect & shutdown
Capacities: removable 2.5" flash disks up to 36GB (64GB in early 2006)
Interfaces: SCSI, Ethernet, USB
Data Transfer Rates: > 18 MBytes/sec
Input Power +28 VDC or +5 VDC

Another: http://www.m-systems.com/site/en-US/Products/IDESCSIFFD/IDESCSIFFD/SATASelGuide.htm

These are quite expensive right now, but even the 4 and 8 gig solutions are within reach of the average person. No vibration issues, ultra-fast speeds and very compact.

8 gig portable SSD: (http://www.simpletech.com/commercial/products/simpledrivemini.html)
http://www.simpletech.com/images/commercial/products/Prod_SimpleDrive_Mini3.jpg

And an ultra-rugged and somewhat affordable portable HD (http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/security/7948/)

http://www.thinkgeek.com/images/products/front/fortress.jpg

[Scott Brady]

Now, what do I use for maps and images back-up?

My Ipod :ylsmoke:

[smbisig]

I'm thinking around 40 GB at least.

solid states are cool, and i believe their the future, but I'm not sure if you can boot a mac off one currently, i will have to try.

I would just use my powerbook, but since i use it for video editing, i am very limited on Hard Disc space for navigation software. plus if i have a dedicated hard disc for "expediton use", i can film directly to disc via an adapter.

The Topo software i am currently using is the National Geographic State series for Mac computers. It uses about 2.5 GB of memory.

thanks for all the replys.

[k6uk]

Thought I'd throw this in here - new samsung 32gb solid state drive:
http://www.devlib.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2006/03/img45.jpg
Samsung has announced initial shipments of its 32GB solid state hard drive (SSD) based around its NAND Flash memory which is amongst other things, used in the Apple Nano.

img45The SSD which comes in a 2.5″ form factor and plugs into a 66Mhz Ultra DMA bus is currently launched in Taiwan — with a focus on the numerous ODM laptop manufacturers on the island.

The new hard drive consumes 95% less power than a regular hard drive and offers 3 times faster read access and 1.5 times faster write access.

Also, Microsoft and Samsung announced an initiative earlier this week to create a new hybrid hard drive, which would be part flash and part mechanical (time to call these legacy drives?). These new hybrid drives will be an essential component of the new Windows Vista program at the premier level.

Finally, 12 hour battery life on a 5lb notebook looks like a possibility… well, hopefully by the end of 2007.
(from:http://www.devlib.org/blog/2006/03/22/samsung-releases-32gb-solid-state-drive/)

PS: This is the drive used in the new Sony UX90/S (japan model) handheld computer.

[bigreen505]

And an ultra-rugged and somewhat affordable portable HD[/URL]

http://www.thinkgeek.com/images/products/front/fortress.jpg

One more vote fopr the Fortress drives. Moose Petersen did a test on them here (http://www.moosepeterson.com/gear/fortress.html).

[jkam]

I've been using one of these for a few years now with no problems.
Compact, firewire, USB and pretty rugged. Runs off the laptop so no external power needed or 115v.

http://www.iogear.com/main.php?loc=product&Item=GHD125C80

http://www.iogear.com/product_images/main/format2/GHD125C80.jpg

[smbisig]

I've been using one of these for a few years now with no problems.
Compact, firewire, USB and pretty rugged. Runs off the laptop so no external power needed or 115v.

http://www.iogear.com/main.php?loc=product&Item=GHD125C80

http://www.iogear.com/product_images/main/format2/GHD125C80.jpg


im liking that one. mac OS X 10 and up requires a firewire drive to boot off. i found that out after purchasing a USB hard drive and fighting to boot off it for days.:coffee: