Hard Drive Question

**abarzabar** · 10-27-2007, 07:55 PM

I just recently Purchased and Installed a Pioneer DEH-P6900UB. I have read that I can use a thumb drive or even a hard drive with it's USB port. I'm thinking that I should go with hard drive to help uncluttered my car of 200 or so CD's.

I was just wondering if I did use an external hard drive would the element of the earth (heat and cold) effect my hard drive and it's playability. The weather here may get to -20 F or as high as 120 F. I've asked another person this and they really had no real answer other then remove it every time you leave your car. I'm personally not that motivated to do that. I'd rather leave it in there, so I don't have to forget it either.

Any information that anyone that could provide me I would appreciate it. How temperature may or may not affect it?
Is there a special hard drive I could by?
If not, any recommendations?

Thank You

**boomintrac** · 10-27-2007, 08:03 PM

Ive never had a weather related issue with my hd. MOst of the people leave their drives in all year. The problems will start to occur if the drive isnt secured.
Aron

**nobb** · 10-27-2007, 11:16 PM

I dont think a regular hard drive is going to work in -20F. Most people here use regular hard drives because they dont deal with such extreme low temperatures. If you want a hard drive, youll need to get an automotive grade one, such as a Hitachi Endurastar or the Seagate EE25. I just managed to score a 30gb endurastar on ebay for $28 (inc shipping)!

**abarzabar** · 10-29-2007, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by nobb

I don't think a regular hard drive is going to work in -20F. Most people here use regular hard drives because they don't deal with such extreme low temperatures. If you want a hard drive, you'll need to get an automotive grade one, such as a Hitachi Endurastar or the Seagate EE25. I just managed to score a 30gb endurastar on ebay for $28 (inc shipping)!

Does anyone know of any other hard drive, specifically external and powered via USB?

**nobb** · 10-29-2007, 11:49 AM

Get an Endurastar or EE25 and put it in an external 2.5 usb enclosure. The EE25 seems to have better specs than the Endurastar. The EE25 is rated down to -30C, while the Endurastar is rated down to -20C.

**abarzabar** · 10-30-2007, 06:55 PM

That did come to mind. If possible I'd like a cheaper alternative.

**RedGTiVR6** · 10-31-2007, 10:09 AM

A cheaper alternative probably isn't going to last as long or be as reliable.

You do get what you pay for.

**crooper** · 11-01-2007, 03:42 AM

You could get a flash card to use while your drive is thawing out or whatever... assuming you turn the heat on in your car when you drive it. Just an idea. Also I've heard that hard drives with some kinda of liquid suspension or bearings or whatever aren't as good in cold weather.