Downloading SD Cards to MyPassport Backup Storage: What kind of systems to hoggers use to transfer images from SD cards to backup storage devices? Ideally, when traveling, I would...

wthomson Loc: Tempe, Arizona

What kind of systems to hoggers use to transfer images from SD cards to backup storage devices? Ideally, when traveling, I would like to download images at night simultaneously and automatically to two MyPassport backup devices, via a laptop. I read about some software (either PC or Mac) that would allow this, but cannot find it. A search on this site was not fruitful, but I didn't go through everything that popped up.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

When traveling with the laptop, I copy from the card to the laptop daily, and copy to the desktop when I get home. On day trips, I copy to the desktop when I get home. Images remain on the card(s) until Carbonite backs up the desktop. That way the images are always in two places. I carry blank DVDs with the laptop, which I sometimes backup to on the road, but not always. I just use Windows Explorer to transfer.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

My laptop has a SD card slot as well as USB slots. Simply open the SD control-A to select all photos in the photo file, then control-C and open the drives and control-V. Sip coffee as the computer does the work simply without additional software. Below is a full package with software and connecting cord. But one need not be that fancy.
$15 Tiger Direct: Item # UTY-102313251

Personally, old HD Passport backups are tender... if dropped from the 3rd floor kiss it goodby... where as a SSD would just bounce. SSD via USB cords are available. SSDs can be carried in a cigarette package, small rugged. Ignore the people who say 10 years ago I bought an SSD and and and... the modern SSDs have good reputation.

To go expensive and fancy:
http://www.corsair.com/en-us/blog/2013/may/no-more-clone-wars-the-ssd-and-hard-disk-drive-cloning-kit-is-here

wthomson Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Thanks Longshadow and dpullum. Will either of these methods work to create two backup images simultaneously?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

wthomson wrote:

What kind of systems to hoggers use to transfer images from SD cards to backup storage devices? Ideally, when traveling, I would like to download images at night simultaneously and automatically to two MyPassport backup devices, via a laptop. I read about some software (either PC or Mac) that would allow this, but cannot find it. A search on this site was not fruitful, but I didn't go through everything that popped up.

If I had it to do over again, I'd get one of these WD Wireless drives. They have a slot for an SD card. They didn't exist at the time, so I got an external drive and an Acer netbook. When I travel, I transfer images to the netbook and then to a small external drive. I leave the images on the SD card, so when I get home, I have three copies.

http://www.amazon.com/Passport-Wireless-Mobile-Storage-WDBK8Z0010BBK-NESN/dp/B00M9B3XZM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1431947254&sr=8-2&keywords=wd+wireless

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

dpullum wrote:

...old HD Passport backups are tender... if dropped from the 3rd floor kiss it goodby... where as a SSD would just bounce.
To go expensive and fancy:
http://www.corsair.com/en-us/blog/2013/may/no-more-clone-wars-the-ssd-and-hard-disk-drive-cloning-kit-is-here

Yes, SSD's are great. I like that cable that's included with them. As for dropping a drive three floors, mine WD 2TB fell to the floor while it was doing a backup. That was the end of that, but at least I could use the case. :D

EDIT: I'm not going to upgrade my netbook with the kit in your link. The upgrade would cost more than the netbook - and I don't use it often enough.

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

wthomson wrote:

What kind of systems to hoggers use to transfer images from SD cards to backup storage devices? Ideally, when traveling, I would like to download images at night simultaneously and automatically to two MyPassport backup devices, via a laptop. I read about some software (either PC or Mac) that would allow this, but cannot find it. A search on this site was not fruitful, but I didn't go through everything that popped up.

I have a spare, my older laptop, I keep in my trailer which I download to every night. Then every night or two I copy to an older .5 gig external for when I get home to transfer to my main laptop. After I do the transfer I delete everything off the .5 gig external so it is clean for the next time I go out. This gives me a back-up for when I am on the road.

I keep a copy of LR on my older laptop so I can work with my photos at night if I want. This gives me a good use for my old laptop, it is 7 years old, which still runs good.

Jim D

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

oldtool2 wrote:

I have a spare, my older laptop, I keep in my trai... (show quote)

Is that "older" backup hardware getting near retirement age? They recommend replacing hard drives after four years, although I've never had one fail.

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

I have a rather aged Macbook Air with only one USB port. I have a portable USB hub with two outlets which I plug into the Macbook. I plug my card reader into one of the two outlets on the hub, and my Passport portable HD into the other. The HD shows up on the desktop as does the card reader when I insert a card. Then I open a new folder on the HD with the date as the name and transfer all images from the card to the HD. Then I repeat the process with another HD except this one gets only the raw files. The only pictures I leave on the Macbook Air are a few jpegs I may want to email. When I get home I plug the portable HD into my iMac and transfer the pictures. Then the fun starts.

lsimpkins Loc: SE Pennsylvania

dpullum wrote:

... old HD Passport backups are tender... if dropped from the 3rd floor kiss it goodby... whereas a SSD would just bounce.

Don't count on SSDs surviving this either! More than likely, the solder joints on at least some of the decoupling capacitors or the large system IC would be fractured resulting in intermittent failures or an outright dead drive.
They are more rugged, but there are limits to even their ability to take shock and/or vibration.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

lsimpkins wrote:

Don't count on SSDs surviving this either! More than likely, the solder joints on at least some of the decoupling capacitors or the large system IC would be fractured resulting in intermittent failures or an outright dead drive.
They are more rugged, but there are limits to even their ability to take shock and/or vibration.

Sounds plausible, but I'm not volunteering to find out. :D

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

wthomson wrote:

Thanks Longshadow and dpullum. Will either of these methods work to create two backup images simultaneously?

Windows Explorer, to my knowledge, will only do one at a time. You might open two explorer windows and copy to different places in each window.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

Longshadow wrote:

Windows Explorer, to my knowledge, will only do one at a time. You might open two explorer windows and copy to different places in each window.

Remember, you have one data bus, you have one hard disk, one disk head - have too many things you are trying to do with it and you only slow it down.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Bounce test is at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4cK0L__B9U
after a 3 story drop the SSD still worked.

At the same time Samsonite Luggage, and a Timex Watch were tested... Samsonite also bounced... (same as used by BB Cooper) and the John Cameron Swayze specifications were followed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EK9KWHjvfM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvpIBl4y1tc

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

jerryc41 wrote:

Is that "older" backup hardware getting near retirement age? They recommend replacing hard drives after four years, although I've never had one fail.

Really? I don't replace hard drives after a time period, never had a problem. I usually wind up replacing the whole computer after 8 or so years...