Plumax USB/Firewire 6mo external case review

mfife · 28-09-2005

Hi all,

I bought a Plumax PM-525C2-PPS V4 Silver Combo USB 2.0 & Firewire 1394 External Enclosure for 5.25 / 3.5 Inch HDD/Device, w/ Ball Bearing Fan & EMI Shield from DealSonic about 6 months ago, and promised a review when finished. I see that they are still selling it as well (Part#

SPMX525C2PPS) I have a laptop and bought the NEC 3520A for it. My P3 1.0ghz laptop only had a USB1.0 port, so I have used it almost exclusively through firewire.

Quick summary: flawless operation. I've burned/copied/shrunk countless video DVD's, regularly use DVD-RW's for backups, burned audio and data CD's with absolutely no failures outside a few stupid errors on my end (like accidently unplugging it while it was writing) - not one unexpected coaster. It burns in all modes without any unexpected buffer runouts. I've burned data and audio CD's up to 48x without a hickup (didn't have faster media). I've done variety of DVD video copies - both raw, via dvd decrypt, and dvd shrink. Burned DVD videos, burned DVD ISO's, at 8x and 16x without a problem. I've copied a number of dual-layer video and data DVD's (2.4x), and regularly use DVD-RW's (8x) for my backup purposes. I think I've used all the different modes and speeds possible on this drive - all without a hitch.

Physically, the case has held up very well. The plastic hasn't scratch or cracked that I can see. You can tell this isn't the kind of case that will take a beating or dropping, but with the drive in it; it is very solid and the fan - while not silent - is very tolerable but really does a great job of keeping things cool. It's got just enough design not to look plain, but not so much as to look tackey.

Overall I have been extremely happy with this case - it works so flawlessly that it's transparent. I just plug it in and go for any operation. Absolutely great performance and no unusual behavior. My performance characteristics are as good as any of the internal/desktop installations.

In short, if you want a great USB/Firewire external case for an excellent price ($29.99!), go no further than this guy - you can't go wrong.

Hope this helps. I'm returning the favor for those who helped me pick a case. Post here if there is something specific you think I should try (I probably have but just forgot to put it up

*ExpertTech* · 29-09-2005

Thanks for this. I am buying my Plumax enclosure today, along with a BenQ 1640

suzzuki63 · 16-10-2005

How is this drive (BenQ 1640) working in this enclosure?

suzzuki63 · 16-10-2005

I purchased the BenQ 1640 drive and a Coolmax CD-510 external enclosure. I can't get the drive to work in this enclosure and need to find an enclosure that works best with this drive. Any suggestions?

*ExpertTech* · 16-10-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by suzzuki63

How is this drive (BenQ 1640) working in this enclosure?

The BenQ 1640 has no problems working in this house

Many of us here use this configuration.

*raygay* · 18-10-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfife

Hi all,

Quick summary: flawless operation. I've burned/copied/shrunk countless video DVD's, regularly use DVD-RW's for backups, burned audio and data CD's with absolutely no failures outside a few stupid errors on my end (like accidently unplugging it while it was writing) - not one unexpected coaster. It burns in all modes without any unexpected buffer runouts. I've burned data and audio CD's up to 48x without a hickup (didn't have faster media). I've done variety of DVD video copies - both raw, via dvd decrypt, and dvd shrink. Burned DVD videos, burned DVD ISO's, at 8x and 16x without a problem. I've copied a number of dual-layer video and data DVD's (2.4x), and regularly use DVD-RW's (8x) for my backup purposes. I think I've used all the different modes and speeds possible on this drive - all without a hitch.

u sure it hits 16x burning? can show some burst rates and burning curves using cdspeed?

and there is no 8x DVD-RW!

*raygay* · 18-10-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by suzzuki63

I purchased the BenQ 1640 drive and a Coolmax CD-510 external enclosure. I can't get the drive to work in this enclosure and need to find an enclosure that works best with this drive. Any suggestions?

benq 1640 is not designed to work externally due to f/w limitation.
it cant hit 16x burning externally.

*chas0039* · 18-10-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by raygay

benq 1640 is not designed to work externally due to f/w limitation.
it cant hit 16x burning externally.

Dealsonic disagrees and they are pretty specific about what their enclosures will do. Anyone interested should give them an email and ask about what they can do with BenQ. It just might work; Sony, NEC, Pioneer, or Lite-On all do.

28-09-2005	#1
mfife New Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 18	Plumax USB/Firewire 6mo external case review Hi all, I bought a Plumax PM-525C2-PPS V4 Silver Combo USB 2.0 & Firewire 1394 External Enclosure for 5.25 / 3.5 Inch HDD/Device, w/ Ball Bearing Fan & EMI Shield from DealSonic about 6 months ago, and promised a review when finished. I see that they are still selling it as well (Part#SPMX525C2PPS) I have a laptop and bought the NEC 3520A for it. My P3 1.0ghz laptop only had a USB1.0 port, so I have used it almost exclusively through firewire. Quick summary: flawless operation. I've burned/copied/shrunk countless video DVD's, regularly use DVD-RW's for backups, burned audio and data CD's with absolutely no failures outside a few stupid errors on my end (like accidently unplugging it while it was writing) - not one unexpected coaster. It burns in all modes without any unexpected buffer runouts. I've burned data and audio CD's up to 48x without a hickup (didn't have faster media). I've done variety of DVD video copies - both raw, via dvd decrypt, and dvd shrink. Burned DVD videos, burned DVD ISO's, at 8x and 16x without a problem. I've copied a number of dual-layer video and data DVD's (2.4x), and regularly use DVD-RW's (8x) for my backup purposes. I think I've used all the different modes and speeds possible on this drive - all without a hitch. Physically, the case has held up very well. The plastic hasn't scratch or cracked that I can see. You can tell this isn't the kind of case that will take a beating or dropping, but with the drive in it; it is very solid and the fan - while not silent - is very tolerable but really does a great job of keeping things cool. It's got just enough design not to look plain, but not so much as to look tackey. Overall I have been extremely happy with this case - it works so flawlessly that it's transparent. I just plug it in and go for any operation. Absolutely great performance and no unusual behavior. My performance characteristics are as good as any of the internal/desktop installations. In short, if you want a great USB/Firewire external case for an excellent price ($29.99!), go no further than this guy - you can't go wrong. Hope this helps. I'm returning the favor for those who helped me pick a case. Post here if there is something specific you think I should try (I probably have but just forgot to put it up

29-09-2005	#2
ExpertTech CDFreaks Resident Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,000	Re: Plumax USB/Firewire 6mo external case review Thanks for this. I am buying my Plumax enclosure today, along with a BenQ 1640 __________________ Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 @ 3.2 Ghz (400 x 8) Asus P5W Wifi Deluxe AP Asus Silent Square Cooler FSP Group FX 700 GLN 700W PSU 4 GB OCZ PC-6400 DDR2 SDRAM eVGA GeForce 7600 GS 256 MB PCI-e SLI 1 x WD Raptor 10K RPM SATA - 150 GB Other drives: Seagate 320/500/250 SATA 300, Samsung ext 120, Buffalo ext 500 BenQ 1640 BSRB - Shelved BenQ 1655 BCGB @ 1650 BCIC LG GSA H55N 1.00 ViewSonic 19'' widescreen 16:10 LCD For desis My lil blog!

16-10-2005	#3
suzzuki63 New on Forum Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 3	Re: Plumax USB/Firewire 6mo external case review How is this drive (BenQ 1640) working in this enclosure?

16-10-2005	#4
suzzuki63 New on Forum Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 3	Re: Plumax USB/Firewire 6mo external case review I purchased the BenQ 1640 drive and a Coolmax CD-510 external enclosure. I can't get the drive to work in this enclosure and need to find an enclosure that works best with this drive. Any suggestions?

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