My feelings are extremely mixed. I’m coming from a year old+ Plextor PX-708UF (connected via usb2.0) and it definitely read discs a helluva alot faster (via burst mode [ie. hold down the button before putting disc in]). Even after flashing the NEC to 2.23 (from 2.02c) the read speeds still aren’t up to par with the old 708UF. I’ve yet to test the writes yet as the only media I have is RITEKG05 so I won’t be able to test 8X. Sometime next Wendesday my order from Rima will arrive and I’ll be able to test the write speeds and quality.
I really don’t know. I feel like putting this back on eBay and just going with a LiteOn in an enclosure. I really would of liked the portability of this drive, but jesus… its just really not up to snuff in my opinion thus far. =\
Edit: just burned a G05 at: Average Write Rate: 4,918 KB/s (3.6x) - Maximum Write Rate: 5,788 KB/s (4.2x). It took 16mins 25secs. I guess thats acceptable for 4X with an slimdrive? The real test will be burning @ 8X with the TY. If the time is literally cut in half (or closer to 9mins) then I’ll think about keeping this drive. If its not, I think I’m going to eBay it. Also, I’ll be posting Kprobe scans of the burn I just did with the NEC and a burn of the same media/dvdr with the 708UF (both default speeds).
Opinions?