If you live in Canada and you're looking for a data storage solution for your Axim, there have been a number of posts on Aximsite that talk about using the Asus WL-HDD2.5 Wireless storage unit.
This unit is on sale for $39 :approve: at Infonec Computers in Markham Ontario (Warden & Steeles):
[url=http://www.infonec.com/site/main.php?module=detail&id=342177]Infonec Computers - Computer parts Canada, PC Components, laptop computers, motherboards, processors, CPU’s and much more : ASUS WL-HDD 2.5 HD ENCLOSURE WIRELESS HARD DRIVE ENCLOSURE[/url]
The latest firmware for this device allows you to connect an external USB drive without having to install an internal 2.5" disk drive. That means USB flash drives and external hard drives.
Read an in-depth review of the unit here: [url=http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24712&pop=1&page=0&Itemid=75]SmallNetBuilder - ASUS 802.11g 54 Mbps WLAN Hard Drive Box Review[/url]
Sale extended
[b]PLEASE NOTE: $37 cash selling price as of Oct 18th[/b] - they probably want to get rid of the pile of units they have.
I picked up a second unit at the store on Ferrier in the Steeles Ave & Warden area of Toronto. They must have about 50 of these units on the shelf. Great price considering these are selling in the US for >$70.
One of the uses for this is to stream data to your PocketPC while in your car. Imagine having a 60GB data store you can mount on your Axim while driving.
One last comment on this device - if you're into playing with Linux, there is a group that has developed an additional OS for this that has all sorts of additional support & features:
[url=http://www.sprayfly.com/wiki/Sprayfly]Sprayfly - JonoWiki[/url]
[url=http://oleg.wl500g.info/]ASUS WL-500g custom firmware page[/url]
[QUOTE=Gigi;1059154429]Thanks for bumping this, bigbop. I missed it the first time!
Does this support WPA?[/QUOTE]
Yes it does. One of the guys I work with installed the alternate OS in his unit and is using it as a wireless webserver with only a USB attached drive. The alternate OS supports webcams and we're trying to get one to work on this so it can be used as a security system. I want to use one of mine in my car as a video capture system similar to what the police (in the US) use.
Also, adding a second USB host port to this unit is very easy if you know how to solder. Too bad it's only USB 1.1.
I added a review link to the first post that gives an in-depth review of the unit.
Thanks, bigbop. I know very little about Linux; do I need to have Linux installed on my desktop in order to change the firmware, or is it more like DD-WRT (which I've done before)?
[QUOTE=Gigi;1059154631]Thanks, bigbop. I know very little about Linux; do I need to have Linux installed on my desktop in order to change the firmware, or is it more like DD-WRT (which I've done before)?[/QUOTE]
Yes, like the DD-WRT in that respect. Admin is through a web browser. I got one of these a couple years ago at the price mentioned above (a killer deal). I have been using it as my primary wireless router for the last week since my router dumped its settings. I got that router working again with a reset, reflash and resetup. So the WLHDD is back to being "mere" NAS.
One important note is that it can be set to share a storage device connected to the USB port or to back it up. That way you can take it traveling and copy your digital camera photos to the HDD with a USB reader. Also you can admin from your pocketPC browser and map to the HDD to enjoy media. I haven't tried to admin from my Touch yet.
[QUOTE=bigbop;1059144648]If you live in Canada ... ... ... .
This unit is on sale for $39 :approve: at Infonec Computers in Markham Ontario (Warden & Steeles):
[url=http://www.infonec.com/site/main.php?module=detail&id=342177]Infonec Computers - Computer parts Canada, PC Components, laptop computers, motherboards, processors, CPU’s and much more : ASUS WL-HDD 2.5 HD ENCLOSURE WIRELESS HARD DRIVE ENCLOSURE[/url]
The latest firmware for this device allows you to connect an external USB drive without having to install an internal 2.5" disk drive. That means USB flash drives and external hard drives.
... ... ...
... ... ...
[/QUOTE]
Thanks for passing along this info - sale good 'till Oct 3rd.
A quick question:
You say you can connect a USB drive but on the Infonec site it says that the USB is 1.1. Doesn't that make any connected USB drive painfully slow?
It does seem strange that it offers WiFi "g" but only 1.1 on USB. Perhaps an error on the Infonec site?
.
[QUOTE=Yarrenbool;1059154680]Thanks for passing along this info - sale good 'till Oct 3rd.
A quick question:
You say you can connect a USB drive but on the Infonec site it says that the USB is 1.1. Doesn't that make any connected USB drive painfully slow?
It does seem strange that it offers WiFi "g" but only 1.1 on USB. Perhaps an error on the Infonec site?
.[/QUOTE]Wireless G and USB 1.1 is correct. My tests support those speeds.
[QUOTE=Yarrenbool;1059154680]Thanks for passing along this info - sale good 'till Oct 3rd.
A quick question:
You say you can connect a USB drive but on the Infonec site it says that the USB is 1.1. Doesn't that make any connected USB drive painfully slow?
It does seem strange that it offers WiFi "g" but only 1.1 on USB. Perhaps an error on the Infonec site?
.[/QUOTE]
Yeah, the design of this device is actually about 2.5 years old and it uses a MIPS uP SOC (System On a Chip). It's the same chip used in several Asus wireless routers. It was designed with 2 - USB 1.1 host interfaces.
Yes, 1.1 isn't as fast as USB 2.0 specs but for data streaming over WiFi, it's fine a 12Mbit/sec. You can even boot the unit from the USB host device (with the 3rd party firmware), and the unit doesn't need an internal drive to work.
Interesting - as of Oct 5th - it appears that $39 is now the normal selling price for this item. According to a friend - they still have a pile of these at the Markham store.
[QUOTE=bigbop;1059155902]Interesting - as of Oct 5th - it appears that $39 is now the normal selling price for this item. According to a friend - they still have a pile of these at the Markham store.[/QUOTE]
bigbop:
I live in the U.S. and ifonec states only selling to Canadian customers online. I really was looking to purchase one of those enclosures. any other ideas on where to find them at that price or close to it? or if there is a place in Canada I can buy from? any help is much appreciated.
[QUOTE=mjc4him;1059156605]bigbop:
I live in the U.S. and ifonec states only selling to Canadian customers online. I really was looking to purchase one of those enclosures. any other ideas on where to find them at that price or close to it? or if there is a place in Canada I can buy from? any help is much appreciated.[/QUOTE]
Sorry - can't help.
I saw a couple of ebay ads for these though a week ago.
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