HDD Stage Rack gets even better: now with 300% more FireWire

Just like fine wine, the HDD Stage Rack keeps getting better with age. On its third iteration now, the latest version of the external HDD cradle not only includes the obligatory USB and eSATA ports, but it also boasts a 6-pin FireWire 400 connector and two FireWire 800 sockets. 'Course, this thing isn't slated to be available for US hands until the end of this month, but that'll give you a few weeks to swallow the lofty $165.33 price tag, at least.

[Via AkihabaraNews]

[coffee @ Mar 5th 2008 11:28AM]

It has more connectors than Thermaltake's hdd docking station, but for 39 bucks, I'd take the USB-only option from them.

[Ryan @ Mar 5th 2008 1:19PM]

Yeah, Jesus, $165 is RIDONKULOUS!

http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid=524

$35 TTake one, but no eSATA.

[E71 @ Mar 5th 2008 8:22PM]

Yeah, it is really pricey but USB ain't really that great.

I'd settle for one with just one eSATA port though.

[patsy @ Mar 5th 2008 11:31AM]

Wow, wasn't it originally supposed to be around $50 or so? That's quite a cost escalation there.

[zendriver @ Mar 5th 2008 11:46AM]

Is this still SATA only? I really like this device, but it's not worth the investment for me if it is SATA only - I have WAY more PATA drives laying about.

[mb @ Mar 5th 2008 1:02PM]

SATA connectors are designed so that the grounding pin is the last to disconnect when you remove the cable (or in this case solid connector). This is to prevent the PCB on the drive from breaking. PATA connectors (the 40-pin and the molex power) do not have this feature. A lot more engineering would have to go into making these more hot-swap-able.

[James Cameron @ Mar 5th 2008 1:36PM]

No one is going to design one for that. Too many stupid pins. 1 pin bend and you're screw. But 1 pin bend with the cable/ribbon type you can still force it in. Ain't going to work with this design for PATA.

[LesbianHam @ Mar 5th 2008 3:27PM]

Have a spring-loaded pin-connector pad for that last pin? it'd stick up just a coupla milimeters. Man someone should hire me right this second :D

[alex @ Mar 5th 2008 11:50AM]

Ditto. I have way too many PATA to make this of any use besides, most HDD enclosures w/fireWire are $50.

[Mikey @ Mar 5th 2008 12:13PM]

Price is a bit steep. I rather just leave an enclosure open on my desk. Shut off the power, unplug the drive & plug in the new one before turning back on the power. I'm sure I can save at least $100. Look up the Vantec 360UFS-BK.

[Erwos @ Mar 5th 2008 12:33PM]

Or you could buy an enclosure with a decent hotswap rack. I just don't see this being worth the premium

[James Cameron @ Mar 5th 2008 12:28PM]

Great, I just bought the other one.

[Rex @ Mar 5th 2008 12:51PM]

300 percent of 0 is still 0. This started out with no IEEE 1394 connections so how can it have 3 more and be 300 percent more?

[Matt @ Mar 5th 2008 1:55PM]

Was going to post the exact same thing!

[Twist @ Mar 5th 2008 12:53PM]

I bought a LaCie d2 Quatro with all the same connections as this thing plus a 500 gig SATA HD for $180 back in December. Sure it isn't quite as easy to swap out the HD's, but come on that price is insane.

[ozzzy @ Mar 5th 2008 12:54PM]

This seems to be intended more for IT/Power Users who are servicing a large client base.

[Taylor @ Mar 5th 2008 1:10PM]

Looking at old posts, it looks like it didn't have ANY firewire ports... Which means 3 ports isn't 300% more than before... Why do you guys do this? We KNOW you must understand percentages... why use them wrong just to make a cool-sounding title? It's just an annoyance is all, but really...
-Taylor

[Jeff @ Mar 5th 2008 1:23PM]

That's what i was thinking.

doesn't 300% of zero equal zero?

:)

[Cameron Campbell @ Mar 5th 2008 1:43PM]

Haven't you noticed that the headlines are more and more like geekologie lately?

[george @ Mar 5th 2008 2:08PM]

Along that nitpicky theme: 300% more of something actually quadruples the original amount just like how 100% more of something doubles the original amount.

-george

[tasteslikechicken @ Mar 5th 2008 1:28PM]

it's not the price of these things, it's the shipping, Add roughly another $50 for shipping (from japan). So, really this thing will set you back >200 bucks

[Idlemind @ Mar 5th 2008 3:04PM]

if they really want to make money with this thing.. they should just rent them.

after I (and several people like me) burn thru all the loose drive they have laying around to make sure nothing needed is on them, i wont have a use for that thing anymore

[aagha @ Mar 5th 2008 4:13PM]

What's the name of the company that makes these? I can't find their website!

[bleaty @ Mar 25th 2008 5:00PM]

It might be worth the price if it made toast too...