Those handy with a screwdriver won't have any problems installing the ST1000-2-S2C and ST1000-2-U5C in their computer. If you plan to install a 2.5" hard drive or SSD, you'll need to do this first.
To install a 2.5" hard drive, slide the bracket off the bottom of the unit and mount the hard drive onto it using the included screws. When you're done, slide it back onto the drive module and screw it into place.
With the 2.5" hard drive in place, you can mount the 3.5" hard drive to the removable tray and install the unit in your computer by inserting it into an empty drive bay, hooking up the cables and screwing it into place. With the module in place, you can insert the removable tray and turn on your computer. If everything goes as planned, the computer's BIOS will recognize the hard drives and they'll show up in the Device Manager.
Believe it or not, I did have some problems installing the ST1000-2-S2C and ST1000-2-U5C. Due to their length, they would not fit in some drive bays without hitting the motherboard or some other component. When I finally did find a computer where both would fit, the bezel had an extra piece of plastic around the drive bays that prevented the front panels from opening. While this really isn't RAIDON's fault, it's something you should consider when installing one of these modules.
Final Thoughts:
If you're looking for an easy and affordable way to swap out your hard drives, look no further than RAIDON's ST1000 series of internal drive modules. The ST1000-2-S2C and ST1000-2-U5C are fairly well constructed and let you install not one, but two, hard drives into a standard 5.25" drive bay. Along with a hot swappable tray for a 3.5" SATA or SAS hard drive, the modules offer a mounting point for an additional 2.5" hard drive or SSD.
Aside from the length of the ST1000-2-S2C and ST1000-2-U5C, my only real issue is that the two drive modules require a key to unlock the tray. While this sort of thing is fine in situations where you'd only be removing a tray to replace or upgrade a hard drive, it does get a bit tiring when you're swapping out trays on a daily basis. Then again, this is the same tray used in many of RAIDON's other hard drive enclosures and can be swapped interchangeably.
The RAIDON ST1000-2-S2C and ST1000-2-U5C are available now and can be purchased from online vendors like Newegg.com and Timeline Digital, Inc. for as little as $30.
Highs:
- Well constructed
- Install two hard drives into single 5.25" drive bay
- Hot-swap removable tray
- Supports both SAS and SATA hard drives (ST1000-2-U5C)
- Tray works with other RAIDON products
- 4cm cooling fan
- Reasonably priced
Lows:
- Key required to unlock and remove tray
- Longer than your average optical drive
