3.5" IDE HDD Enclosure - Recommendations

[cloudchaser]

Hi All

I am looking at getting an external HDD enclosure to house my spare 120GB Seagate HD. I plan to use this as my backup source so looking for an enclosure that will be reliable and does not corrupt data. So while good transfer speed would be nice its is not the main requirement.

I have looked around and read a bit and the ICY box keeps popping up everywhere. I have also read threads about data corruption and conflicting threads about Firewire versions corrupting data so a little wary of them.

So I am looking for USB2 enclosure recommendations that don't cost the earth but are quiet and reliable. (firewire not necessary as I am unsure if my Shuttle's port is working OK)

Thanks in advance for all tips and help
cloudchaser

[Funkstar]

I think the current sybrowsFrom what i've read the current IcyBoxes have been sorted out as far as the data corruption goes.

I hvae two USB2/Firewire PATA boxes with the blue LEDs. not had a problem with them. Firewire isn't reliable on my laptop, but i think that has something to do with the controller on my laptop more than anything else.

[starbuck]

I bought an icybox a couple of months ago and have had no problems at all with it. Also love the styling of is as you get a cool blue light showing from under the black enclosure.
Cannot recommend it enough. Seems quiet and keeps hd cool enough.

[johnny02004976]

i have 3 Icy Box's now, there really really good - all 3 have both USB2 and Firewire and ive had no problems at all.

[cloudchaser]

Thanks guys for the feedback - much appreciated. Off now to hunt for the best ICYbox deals around - if you know of any please point me in the right direction.

cheers

[Shmee150]

Was going to say; IcyBox, IcyBox, IcyBox, and get one with blue lights Especially a stack of them; looks very good.

ShMeE

[DavidM]

I've no idea where you can buy one of these from *


*Ok, perhaps I do...

[Shmee150]

Lol, all of my 3 came from Scan

ShMeE

[dogfart]

Icy box are great. Really recommend them.

[cloudchaser]

Thanks for all the recommendations guys - especially Shmee150, Shmee150, Shmee150

Not sure I can live with 3 throbbing pulsating blue lights next to me LOL

I have trouble with the small but powerful blue led on the Toshiba 360 GB external that I already have. I guess the ICY box led can be disconnected if its gets too much for me - can it be turned off? I mean without disconnecting wires inside etc.

I have ordered from umm --- (don't see its name so not mentioning the site in case its forbidden) for just under £27 delivered.

cheers

[dogfart]

Just put some blue tack over the led!

[SingingOrange]

I have an icy box, and my freind too. we have the same problem

its clumsy and the frames brake/bend easily.

its not reccomended for moving the harddrive. also the power connector can break very easily. if I go back in time, then I wont buy it

[cloudchaser]

dogfart - that was going to be my last resort and I already have some tac at hand

razor1911 - I will not be using the box as a portable device and it will basically lie next to my machine. I have already ordered it so not much can be done and I will wait till I see and try it out personally. thanks for the tips.

[SingingOrange]

if you are not gonna move it, then you are fine

it have some advantages like being silent.

and it does cool the harddisk properly. although the harddrive I've got inside is noisy, and its much louder than the rest of the system.

[piranha]

Bought an Icybox but did'nt like the slow speeds so then bought a caddie which I found to be a lot better.

[johnny02004976]

Thanks for all the recommendations guys - especially Shmee150, Shmee150, Shmee150

Not sure I can live with 3 throbbing pulsating blue lights next to me LOL

I have trouble with the small but powerful blue led on the Toshiba 360 GB external that I already have. I guess the ICY box led can be disconnected if its gets too much for me - can it be turned off? I mean without disconnecting wires inside etc.

I have ordered from umm --- (don't see its name so not mentioning the site in case its forbidden) for just under £27 delivered.

cheers

mate with mine the lights are on a strip which can be disconnected form the PCB and slipped out - i took them out of 2 of the ones i have