UnifyDrive UT2: The portable photo backup solution you’ve been waiting for?

The UnifyDrive UT2 is a portable NAS with dual SSDs, RAID 1 support, touch-button SD and CFExpress card backups, and many more features. An all-in-one, portable backup solution for photos and videos without a laptop. In this video, I share how the device works, pros and cons, and my experience using the crowdfunded product.

(Sorry about the scratchy mic in the main bit)

Disclaimer: UnifyDrive provided me with the hardware featured in this review. They have not paid for or sponsored this video, nor have they had any editorial involvement or approval prior to publication. All opinions are my own.

📦 PRODUCTS MENTIONED

Check out the UnifyDrive UT2 on Kickstarter

NVME M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 SSDs

Western Digital SSDs (What I'm using)

📕 CHAPTERS

0:00 Intro
2:14 Installing SSDs
2:43 Powering the UT2
3:32 Setup
5:10 Formatting SSDs
8:08 Wi-Fi Hotspot
8:59 Media Server
9:51 Card Support
11:13 Battery
11:46 Unprotected
12:43 Cloud backups
14:05 Backup Storage
15:05 Too Much?
16:05 Final Thoughts
17:47 Back the Campaign

🎵 MUSIC AND SFX

All original music and SFX via EPIDEMIC SOUND. Could not produce videos without them! Sign-up for a free 30 day trial below:

🎤 GEAR USED FOR THIS VIDEO (AND MOST OTHERS)

🤝 CONNECT WITH ME

LEGAL DISCLOSURE
Some of the links in this description will direct you to online stores where I may earn referral credits at no additional cost to you. If you want to shop and support this channel, you may also use the following storewide links.

[FieldingSmith]

I run a nas at home for photo backup and media server, so I get the added complexity and benefits this has over a standard ssd. But like you said, for a portable unit for field work I’d want longer battery life and weather sealing… and a micro sd slot.

[Johno]

Great review. While an interesting product, the last thing I want to do is deal with a NAS when backing up on the go. I just need a place to dump my days work for emergencies. $400 dollars without drives is a no go for me but then again this product doesn't fit into my workflow.

[malcolmmacgregor]

An interesting idea - but it sounds too complicated and may be prone to malfunction due to lack of weather sealing. Not sure why it cannot support Fuji GFX. The best and simplest system is Hasselblad's X2D camera with 1TB internal storage and CF express. One backs up the other whichever way round you want. Simple and straightforward. Many thanks

[roncraig]

My Sony A7R will transfer images to my cellphone via an app, and I can connect a portable SSD HD to the USB port of my cellphone for backup. That's a good enough solution for me given the volume of photos I'm typically taking. The ability to connect the external HD to my cellphone and have it appear as a storage option was actually a pleasant surprise the first time I tried it.

[mattsmith]

I don't think having RAID is the reason for calling this device a NAS, to be honest! I'd say it's more to do with the Ethernet and wifi functionality. It does look like an interesting device, although a small display would be welcome for configuration rather than needing a secondary device with an app, etc.

[ChrisThe]

This has existed for years. WD makes a MyBook wireless (or something like that), which does the exact same thing

[zacharias]

I’m still new to this but can I use western digital black ssd’s? They seem to be faster but not sure if it’s the right call if I go for this. I’m a videographer and want to edit off of ssds for that speed if that helps.

[MiguelMorenoGP]

Fujifilm cameras are themselves sensitive to different cards, the issue could stem from that

[larsmichael]

What kind of d/l speeds (card to device) do you achieve with CFExpress with this device? CloudZen Tainer (which can hold a single NVME SSD) is reported to achieve 500MB/s.

[rayspencer]

Way too complicated and expensive without any advantage.

I don't like that it doesn't have a screen so I can confirm what has been transfered. And I don't like that it "transfers" files rather than "copies" the files. What if the process partially fails so the it removes the files from your card but fails to write to the unit's storage (I have had this happen before).

I currenty simply carry plenty of memory cards (cheap, tiny, and tough). When I am done for the day I can make extra file copies using my camera's 2 card slots or a tablet (1tb), or my phone (1tb), mini-laptop, or SSD. This process results in me having 3 full copies (in my pocket, in my carry-on bag, and in my checked luggage).

[thefoxhouse]

It’s a neat concept, but I think it’s overpriced for what it offers. You could easily do something similar for far less. I get the need does an all in one solution, but if it fails you’re out of luck.

[ilonaschong]

Great review, I just backed today on Kickstarter. I might have a question: can you also attach an external SSD to the UnifyDrive and copy the files to the external SSD? I normally back up twice and safe the back-ups at different places (suitcase and cameraback for example) in case one of them gets lost or stolen. If so, can I also check the content of the external SSD through the UnifyDrive App?