recommmended fw/usb HDD enclosure?

[swamp_cabbage]

can anyone - especially anyone in the UK (cos our choices are a little more limited!) suggest a decent dual firewire/usb2 HDD enclosure suitable for a seagate barracuda 300Gb?

rather than buy a lacie it does seem cheaper to DIY but i couldnt find enough helpful info online...

thanks...

 

[dont24]

Take a look at this one. Not sure if it's available in the UK. I have this one hooked up to my mini w/ a 300GB HD installed.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817146602

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

Komplett usually have good prices.

 

[deebster]

You can use pretty well any case regardless of brand. I've been using a no-name one I picked up in Thailand and it has served me well.

Just try to get one with an Oxford firewire chipset in it, which thankfully most are.

As for where to get them, the UK seems to be a bit crap in that respect. You can certainly get them on eBay for maybe 20-25 quid, but other than that I don't see much choice.

Here's a couple I found

http://www.storagedepot.co.uk/Products.aspx?action=showproduct&id=73&type=41

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/prod...2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=99224

http://www.directusbstore.co.uk/cnb...catalogue-product_info-null&prodCategoryID=36

 

[idea_hamster]

If you're willing to spend a little more now for some flexibility, you might consider getting a Wiebetech Traydock.

It comes with one tray for a PATA or SATA drive, but you can get the other type of tray for $60. This would let you use the enclosure regardless of which type of drive you have today or in the future.

Also, it's designed for switching the drive, so if someone has a drive problem, you can just pop it in and run some utilities, save files or whatever.

There are lots of less expensive options, but I thought that I'd throw this into the mix.

 

[zami]

Whatever you do get one with an on-off switch.

I am using an el cheapo firewire/USB enclosure from the local shop, cost £29.99.

While it looks tacky with red and blue neon lights and is made of cheap ultra thin metal it seems to work OK but gets very hot to the touch compared to all the LaCie, SmartDisk and Maxtor externals I have previously used. However perhaps this is good as the heat is being channelled to the outside as the enlosure touches the internal drive unlike the purpose built brand names.

 

[swamp_cabbage]

ta very mucho