"Adaptec 1211/20 - needs Power!!" The Adapatec DuoConnect AU-1211 works as described -
EXCEPT!!
Many peripherals need more power than the device will supply without the (not optional) external power supply -
Which they don't even tell you about until you have purchased the card - when you try to install the card and your peripheral in question (in my case, an iPod) doesn't work!
Then you notice a very brief paragraph under Troubleshooting that suggests that some devices may need to have an external power supply connected to the card.
In the information supplied, Adaptec doesn't even direct you to a commercial source for the power supply you need.
(Try their technical Knowlege Base)
Now, more than a year after first release, Adaptec does offer such a power supply, but you have to hunt for it!
I'd prefer a supplier that sells you what you need the first time. From Christopher Howell, December 06, 2004
"Works Great" Easy to install. No fuss.
I have an external hard drive and a digital camera attached. Both devices use their own power so i haven't got a complaint about power.
To the other reviewers that complained about lack of power supply Fry's sell a 35W universal supply that will work fine with this. Also I tried a SIIG unit that comes with it's own power supply - problem is you MUST use the power supply !! - not convenient for some devices. From Gary Law, March 02, 2004
"Works Great!" It was easy to install.
I Have My U.S. Logic 60 gig HD attached to the USB 2.0 and I have My Sony 500UL attached to the Firewire. As of now never had a problem. It may cost little more than some other brands but it's worth it in the proformance and quality. I originally purchased a cheaper brand but it constantly caused my computer to crash. Very happy with this pruduct. From Ray Cabrera, November 10, 2003
"The needed external power supply DOES NOT EXIST" Here is the scoop as far as I am concerned: This is a slick card that has fundamental flaws. The main flaw is the fact that the external power supply (which is needed if you want to plug in a device that does not have its own power - I understand that a mouse will work with the limited power delivered from the CardBus without the external power supply, but when I connected by scanner - which is powered by entirely from the CardBus - all I got was a sickly moan) is not offered by Adaptec or any one else. I searched the web for the needed power supply ("UL-approved power supply rated at 12 Volts and capable of 2.1 Amps") and could not find one; went to Radio Shack and they do not even have a power supply big enough (if you use a power supply with less amperage than specified, things can get hot and can catch on fire). I *attempted* to deal with Adaptec Tech Support by email - they responded to me with information from the wrong product's user manual (very effective, idiots!). Finally I called Adaptec on the phone and finally got a rep to use the correct users manual, ask around the Tech Support Group, and admit that there were problems locating a power supply and they asked that I return the product to them for a (not exactly full) refund.
So … Adaptec Tech Support by email SUCKS. Adaptec Tech Support by phone is effective, although costly with no toll-free number and LONG wait times to talk to a human. Adaptec products (newly designed … the old stuff worked great) need to be designed by people who are intelligent.
The folks at Orange Micro a much more helpful, and I like their product. Give them a try.
From Karl, September 09, 2003
"... too bad its FLAWED !!" Buying this seemed like a good idea at the time - I like Adaptec and needed USB 2.0 for my new scanner, and for a few dollars more I would get a "dongle-free" IEEE connection. Here's the problem: I use a smaller scanner that gets all of its power via its USB connection - no independent power cord to plug into a wall socket, all the power needs to come via the CardBus. Obviously, a CardBus probably cannot provide a lot of power, and Adaptec knew (!!) that and they designed this unit with a place to plug in an external power adapter. Here's the problem: The Users Manual says to use a "UL-approved power supply rated at 12 Volts and capable of 2.1 Amps". Apparently 2.1 Amps is a lot of power! Radio Shack does not carry anything this big, Adaptec doesn't manufacture or sell any power adapters, and Adaptec Tech Support cannot even find one for me to buy on the Internet! (I am not an electrical engineer, but I understand that a power adapter that has less amperage can get hot, melt and even catch on fire.) So, you cannot get any power to the CardBus, and thus cannot get any power to your devices that are connected to your Notebook via the CardBus. Now maybe you don't need any power today for your external devices, but what if tomorrow you do? Well, friend, you're all out of luck!
Apparently, the folks at Siig have some kind of super-dooper amazing design team - not only is their product half the price (they know what they're doing!), but they also include a power adapter for their CardBus. I'll be posting a review of the Siig product as soon as I get my money back from Adaptec. From carlojomomma, June 16, 2003
We're currently upgrading our user review system; so we won't be accepting new reviews for now. DuoConnect for Notebooks Specs
Windows 98 SE, Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows XP
Interface
PCMCIA
Required interface revision
32-bit Type II CardBus
# of USB ports
2
# of internal USB ports
0
Independent host controller for each port?
Yes
USB host controller interface
EHCI, OHCI
USB chipset
--
# of FireWire ports
1
Software
--
Extra?
--
Power source
PCMCIA slot
Warranty
Five years
Extras Lost a USB cable? Get a replacement USB cable.
Running out of USB ports? Get an extra USB hub.
You may need a new USB card to achieve Hi-Speed USB speeds.
Confirm with our USB 2.0 FAQ if you have Hi-Speed USB on your PC.
Where to buy Adaptec DuoConnect for Notebooks?
