When you’re on the road and you run out of film, you can pop into almost any nearby store and just buy some more. But what do you do when you run out of space on a digital memory card? They’re also sold just about everywhere, but they’re not nearly as cheap. You could lug a laptop around and transfer files to the hard drive but what do you do if you don’t have a laptop or are loathe to bring something so bulky and expensive on a day trip or vacation? The solution is the portable media storage device. In this article I’ll discuss things to look for when purchasing one of these devices followed by a quick roundup of several popular units.

These small, convenient devices run on batteries, can slurp down all of the images on a variety of media card types, and contain a high capacity hard drive that will store thousands of photos until you can get back to your computer. The higher-end units come with large, color LCD screens that allow you to review images and many also double as MP3 and video players.

Consider the following before purchasing any of these or similar units:

• Screen size: Do you need to review images or do you just need temporary storage? If it’s the latter, you can get a cheaper unit that doesn’t have a color LCD screen.
• Battery life: Big, color screens look great but reduce playback time. Reading a media card and storing the data is a battery drainer. Do some research to find out how many times it can copy files to the hard drive on a single charge. You’ll typically get more efficiency out of the unit by using larger memory cards since you’ll initiate fewer transfers.
• Music and video: Do you only want data storage or do you want a personal media player? MP3, video, voice recorder, and FM radio features are nice to have, but do you really think you’ll use them?
• Size and weight: Most units are relatively compact but consider the size before you buy. You won’t use it if it’s too big or inconvenient to toss into your camera bag.
• Media support: Don’t buy a device that doesn’t support the memory media you have. If you have multiple media types, get a unit that supports them all.
• Storage capacity: Match the storage capacity to what you expect to use. Storage capacity runs the gamut from 10GB to over 100GB. 10GB will store approximately 3,300 6 megapixel JPG (fine) images.
• Compatibility: Most of these devices should just work with your computer and show up as an extra hard drive when you plug them into the USB port. But make sure the manufacturer supports your computer operating system otherwise you won’t get any support if there is a problem.

Storage device roundup

Epson arguably has the slickest portable media storage solution of the bunch. The Epson Photo Viewer, pictured at right, is an attractive piece of kit. It reads Compact Flash and SD media cards (additional media with adapter sold separately), has a relatively large 3.8″ color LCD display, and weighs in at 14.4 ounces. It is also one of the few storage systems available that can display the RAW image files from all of the major camera manufacturers. This is probably the best unit if reviewing images on the LCD is important to you. Three models are available: the 40GB P-2000 ($499 US), 80GB P-4000 ($699 US), and the available-in-Japan-only, 80GB P-4500 (75,000 YEN). The P-4500 is an upgrade to the P-4000 that includes MP3 and video playback support and will hopefully be available soon in the US.

Review of the P-2000 at dpreview.com
Preview of the P-4500 at dpreview.com

Epson is currently offering a $50 mail-in rebate on the P-2000 and P-4000.

Next up, the Nikon Coolwalker ($300 US). Again, Nikon brings us an attractive unit with a nice 2.5″ color LCD. The Coolwalker is more compact than the Epson with a smaller screen. It’s also significantly less expensive and stores 30GB of data (about 10,000 photos) in just over 10 ounces. It reads compact flash cards but needs an adapter (purchased separately) to read SD cards. The Coolwalker has RAW support but will only display Nikon RAW files (NEF). This would make a nice companion to a Nikon DSLR like the D70.

Coolwalker review at digitalreview.ca
Coolwalker review from Moose Peterson (no, really)

Wolverine offers three different models to choose from. The FlashPac starts at $180 US and comes in 40GB, 60GB, 80GB, and 100GB capacities ($299 US). It reads all major media formats via it’s 7-in-1 card slots. The monochrome LCD is only used to show device status and does not provide image review. Transfer up to 12GB on a single charge. This is a no-nonsense device. You plug in your media, push a button, and it copies it all to the internal hard drive. Simple.

The Wolverine MVP (Music, Video, and Photo) is a step up from the FlashPac, combining all of the same essential features and adding an MP3 player, voice recorder, video player, and a 2.5″ color LCD for reviewing images while managing to remain at a svelte 10 ounces. The MVP can transfer 20GB of data on a single charge. It’s available in 60GB ($399 US), 80GB, 100GB, and 120GB ($599 US) capacities but the choices end there—you’d better like red.

Wolverine MVP review at PC Magazine

Finally, The Wolverine FlashPro. It’s essentially the FlashPac with a few upgrades: an MP3 player, FM tuner, and voice recorder. The FlashPro can transfer 15GB of data on a single charge and weighs just 9 ounces. It comes in the same capacities as the FlashPac and costs $20 more.

The SmartDisk FlashTrax XT has a unique flip-top design that protects the 3.6″ color LCD screen. When closed, the FlashTrax looks a lot like a small set-top box which makes a lot of sense since it can connect to a television and doubles as a digital video player. It also plays music, has an FM radio tuner, and a voice recorder. The device can copy up to 36GB of data on a single charge and supports the RAW formats of every major manufacturer. Drawbacks besides being ugly? It’s one of the larger units at 15 ounces and only reads compact flash cards (other formats with a separate adapter). The FlashTrax XT comes in 40GB ($370 US) and 80GB ($450 US) sizes.

FlashTrax XT review at CameraTown
FlashTraxXT review at Macworld

Also from SmartDisk, the PhotoBank is a simpler device akin to the Wolverine FlashPac. It comes equipped with a multi-format card reader so you’ll have no problem loading your photos onto its 40GB hard drive. The 1.7″ LCD is for status only and does not provide image review. But it’ll fit in the palm of your hand and weighs in at just 9.2 ounces.

Looking for more? There are more. Check out the products from the following manufacturers or do a search for “portable multimedia storage”:

• Apacer
• Apple iPod camera connector
• CompactDrive
• Delkin
• Jobo
• Innoplus
• mediaGear
• Sarotech
• Sony
• Vosonic