While the FlashTrax had little competition when it launched, it's now up against a pricier device that has less functions and no colour screen preview. That device is the iPod, which can take files from media cards using Belkin's £90 iPod Media Reader....

Displays many Raw formats ; Lets you manipulate Raw images ; Comes in three hard–drive capacities ; Case latches shut ; High–quality audio through headphones ; Superior industrial design ; Lets you enlarge specific parts of an image

Arcane navigation system and interface ; Slow performance ; Inferior screen quality ; Can't print from device

In the emerging market for hard drive–based, portable audio/video players, the SmartDisk FlashTrax offers a fascinating twist. First, it's a simple and reliable backup tool for digital photographers. Slide a CompactFlash card into the 12-ounce unit and...

Superior industrial design ; case latches shut ; high-quality audio through headphones ; displays many Raw formats ; lets you manipulate Raw images ; lets you enlarge specific parts of an image ; comes in three hard-drive capacities

Inferior screen quality ; slow performance ; arcane navigation system and interface ; can't print from device

So funny to look back and see the evolution of portable storage. I can think back to when I was unloading digital imagery megabytes at a time...and THE COST. i actually picked up a 500gb device from Vosonic the other day for less than $400 (here -...

Stores 30GB of pictures, one-step offloading, easy to use, more than just an MP3 player

Lousy as an MP3 player because it's bulky, Non-CF cards require adaper, slow image previews

Beautiful screen, via USB is an external HD, Remote included

2-to-3-hour battery, $70 for an extra one

Beautiful screen, via USB is an external HD, Remote included.

2-to-3-hour battery, $70 for an extra one.

Stores 30GB of pictures, one-step offloading, easy to use, more than just an MP3 player.

Lousy as an MP3 player because it's bulky, Non-CF cards require adaper, slow image previews.