Vantec NST-530SU NexStar DX Enclosure - 3.5/5.25 SATA to USB 2.0, eSATA

Comment:
It depends on what you want do with it. I wanted to have a way to carry a drive around to unique PS's all of which had eSata ports. It is adequate for that. If you are not mechanically impaired, it is simple to install the drive. It works fine on eSata though I never tried the other ports (usb is a bit too slow for me). The unit is powered by a plain power cord which is may possibly be valuable for some applications. The unit seemed to meet spousal aesthetic specifications. Because the power supply is self contained, the unit seriously needs a fan. In my certain encounter with this enclosure, the fan in incredibly short order became the noisiest portion of my method. Other enclosures have quieter fans but you could want to replace/eliminate the fan if you truly want a quiet method.It should be apparent that it is simple to knock such a device off the best of a PC tower which will result in considerable damage to to the drive and/or what ever it hits (cat, dog, child, and so on.) on the way down. If you are adding this to a PC and you value silence, you will be better off attaching your optical device without a case. This is straightforward, there are numerous external brick style power supplies and there are quite a few PC brackets with sata or esata ports (sopme brackets allow the addition of a sata energy cable). Search for "esata bracket" and you will find them in no time. That, a suitable cable and 4 stick-on rubber feet and you are good to go.

Comment:
Been using this Enclosure without a problem with my pioneer dual-layer burner for a week now. I would agree with the other reviewer that the fan is very noisy and honestly I don't think it's even needed. I suspect it's only there to cool the internal power supply but I've never felt any amount of warm air coming out the back. Doesn't really matter to me as I only use my dvd drive a couple times a week so I leave the unit switched off when not in use.

Comment:
Nice case; thick aluminum. Somewhat effortless assembly, although internal sata cable had to be bent fairly a bit to enable drive insertion. LED can effortlessly be disconnected inside without having fear of shorting; who requirements it when most drives already have an activity light? Flimsy front bezel. Weak power supply, or at least too weak for my requirements:Vantec Enclosure Provides: 5V => 1.5A12V => 1.8AMy DVD drive (GGW-H20L) Calls forɉV => 1.9A12V => three.0A I returned this one because it couldn't do the only thing I wanted it for; my drive just kept clicking, which created me suspect it wasn't getting enough power. It's worked in a tower for about two years, and I right away plugged it into another tower, after removal from the Vantec, and found it really functional. Likely the ratings on the Vantec supply are peak output, and my GGW-H20L ratings are worst case, but they aren't even close to overlapping; take a look at the best of your drive to see the existing specifications prior to buying this case; if the ratings are close, perhaps you'll be ok.I gave it three eggs since the case is nice in most respects, but I feel they actually really should have erred on the side of added power.

Comment:
Great price, nice characteristics, looks nice, Vantec appears like a fairly trustworthy brand. Doesn't make chocolate pudding. Threw a standard DVD-DL burner in there as the drive on laptop was basically wore out. Will ultimately add a BluRay drive, which this will simply accommodate.

Comment:
Effortless to put together, good black finish and aluminum makes it sturdy. Good touch with the added cables and Sata to eSata bracket. NONE, so far Works excellent.

Comment:
Good seeking, LED not overly bright, solid construct, works properly in USB 2. mode eSATA causes intermittent difficult crashes (paired with a LITE-ON Bluray drive). Also drive doesn't fully fit. Working fine in USB mode... but I was hoping perhaps someday to use it with an SSD with by Revo 1600. Not likely now. Perhaps the challenge is particular to optical drives, but I am disappointed.

Comment:
This is a nice sturdy enclosure. It has a built in energy supply that utilizes a regular PC energy cord so you don't require to uncover a place to hide the energy brick that comes with numerous external devices. I bought this to use with my Acer Revo HTPC. I installed a Samsung DVD burner (fairly straightforward if you take your time and are careful). It was recognized by Win 7 right away and began working with Windows Media Center. None truly... the blue LED is too bright for my taste, but it was quite straightforward to disconnect... just open the case and unplug the cable. You do have to be cautious not to damage the LED or its cables when installing the drive, but if you are cautious and take your time you will be fine.

Comment:
Fit and finish A+Ease of assembly A+Plugged it in and it worked.computer recognized it and had it installed prior to I could read the notification. none so far Purchased it so I could use a spare dvd burner w my laptop and not wear out the built in drive.am using the eSATA cable haven't tried it on USB but.

Comment:
eSata and USB; quiet fan; Effortless installation; blue LED's on the front; works flawlessly. Aesthetics - it is ugly. There is tons of texts on the body of the enclosure. I would acquire yet another 1 in a minute. I just wish it were much better looking.

Comment:
I installed an LG BH10LS30 Bluray writer into this external enclosure and so far it works great. My only complaint is that the fan is a bit noisy. This review was modfied by poster @ 01-21-11 06:39 PM

Comment:
Very well constructed unit and no brainier assembly. Installed on Win 7 bit bit and burned blue ray via USB and ESATA connection. The case keeps the drive cool and has the power supply built in so all you need is a 3 prong computer power supply and its ready to go. Best of all no drivers to install using the USB or ESATA connections.

Comment:
Easy to use for 3.5 or 5 inch devices. Uses eSATA and USB 2.0 while also supporting BLU-RAY. This is the main reason I wanted it so I can switch my BLU-RAY writer between machines.

Comment:
VEry nice!! Built VERY WELL, stays very cool and is very sharp looking. i LOVE this enclosure, will be buying more!!!

Comment:
Great product didn't even need to look at directions to put together. This product is going to be around my house for some time. And on mine no problem with front face coming off. :-)

Comment:
This product performs as advertised. I use it to house a LG BLU-RAY Burner.

Comment:
Connection and installation of my external BluRay drive was simple. I use the ESata connection without a problem. This is built like a MAC TRUCK! Heavy grade enclosure. Only drawback is fron plastic bexel does not secure and keeps pooping off on the right side. I am not sure why they build such a mammoth enclosure and then make a sloppy way to aattach the fron bezel. Be advise, this thing is HEAVY! When you add a drive is ups the ante on portability. I stow in laptop bag and can feel the weight. I have had other enclosures and this is by far the best.

Comment:
It looks great and assembling it with my new Blu-Ray drive was easy. But, I'm using the USB port to communicate with the drive and that works well, except that after a while the drive disappears from my system. I moved it to other ports and this didn't solve the problem. I've used other external drives on these ports for years with no problems. Also, the front bezel is easily knocked off if bumped the wrong way.

Comment:
the Blu-ray burner fits perfectly into the containing (following directions, which are very clear) and gives me just what I wanted: an external blu-ray burner.