Vantec NexStar CX SuperSpeed 3.5" SATA to USB 3.0 External Hard Drive Enclosure - Model NST-310S3-BK

Pros: -Easy setup
-price
-build quality
-holding a 2TB HDD
-USB 3.0

Cons: Nothing really

Other Thoughts: instructions weren't clear after the step where you hook up the LEDs. When it asks you to shove it back into the enclosure, there are two holes that are pretty small. Look for the long black screws to hold the casing together, it doesn't just snap, must be held together with those two screws.

Pros: Unit works twice as fast with USB3 as it does with USB 2 (with an old ~320 GB eSATA drive.

Cons: Vantec web site could be more helpful in pointing out that SOME of these units (mine has a PC board PA-703 rev 1.1) don't use the JMedia chip, and don't need an update, and that the update firmware will give "No device found", because my unit uses a Asmedia 1051 chip rather than a Jmedia chip.

Other Thoughts: Don't know what chip set is shipping now.

Pros: Great build quality, the aluminum makes it feel like a premium product. USB 3.0 for speed and backwards compatibility.

Cons: Expensive, but you do at least get nice build quality.

Pros: Vantec has been generally good in the past.

Cons: After EXTENSIVE time wasted, this box will not work with a WD Green 3TB drive. (Drive works well in other enclosures).
Tested on 6 different (Old and New) computers, will only lock up the computer until unplugged, works FINE with drives of 2TB or less. (Also WD Green)
Vantec customer service bot denies this, but apparently this was tested to work with a different controller than this one has. (See other thoughts.)

Other Thoughts: After writing the previous review, I was notified that the unit was extensively tested with the WD 3T drive, and was found working.
HOWEVER, I also noticed that their firmware update (on Vantec's web site - See FAQ on their site), was for the JS539 chip.
This box now (at least the one I got), has the AS2105 controller, on which I can find very little (anywhere!) information, other than to an incompatability problem (1 link). Apparently, the Vantec-bots don't read the reviews well.)
I just hope that this is not indicative of other problems at Vantec. - They had very good other products for a long time.
Since Vantec insists this will work with 3TB drives, I've RMA'd it back to them to continue their "Extensive testing". (For refund)
I've bought a different model. Let's see what chip that one has.

Manufacturer Response:

Dear Customer,
We try hard to provide excellent customers service. If you have questions about our products, or anything that are not functioning the way it is advertised, please feel free to write to us for assistance at support@vantecusa.com . We will try our best to support and answer your questions. Thank you for looking into our products.
Best Regards, Vantec

Pros: Decent product with 2T drive or less.

Cons: WILL NOT recognize a WD green 3T drive. (Drive works in other enclosures, on different PC's, etc. - Enclosure works with 2T or less drives)
Spent a TON of time troubleshooting this. - "Firmware update" mentioned below says "NO DRIVE FOUND".
Not willing to try firmware from an unknown site.
I see reviews over a year old stating problems with this update. - Still not working....

Other Thoughts: Over a year with update problems uncorrected by Vantec. - VERY bad.
In Linux, "lshw" shows this unit as "unidentified volume"
Windows shows "AS2105", NOT "JMS539"
Vantec, you've really dropped the ball with this one.

Manufacturer Response:

Dear Customer,
We try hard to provide excellent customers service. If you have questions about our products, or anything that are not functioning the way it is advertised, please feel free to write to us for assistance at support@vantecusa.com . We have tested our product with WD Green 3TB drive extensively and knows that it works. We will try our best to support and answer your questions. Thank you for looking into our products.
Best Regards, Vantec

Pros: Worked like a gem right out of the box, though I saw that some folks needed to update the firmware previously I didn't need to do anything to get USB 3.0 speeds. Just like the USB 2.0 versions of this that I own it's easy to keep your HDD cool and safe.

Cons: None at all

Other Thoughts: I own 8 Vantec external enclosures (yes, I'm insane) and I love them all. I've had bad experiences with some other externals but thus far not with Vantec, and that includes this model.

Pros: Allows me to use an internal hard drive as an external, does exactly what it should on a impressive level and seems very reliable.

Cons: I am having an issue with USB 3.0 on the previously formatted internal hard drive, it thinks it isn't formatted but I am sure it has something to do with the new USB 3.0 drivers. Not really worried about it, still very fast on 2.0. Also wish the bottom had rubber mounts for a table but I just bought some for it, not really a big deal.

Pros: Simply a great HDD enclosure, and at a pretty good price. It was relatively simple to set up my Hard Drive, and I love the USB 3.0 capability that it has. The aluminum enclosure does a pretty good job at keeping the setup at a reasonable temperature.

Cons: If you're working in a particularly hot environment, just bear in mind that there are no cooling fans that come with the enclosure. It shouldn't really be an issue anyhow

Other Thoughts: The best deal in terms of price, build quality, and performance.

Pros: Slim, sturdy, fanless and cool, slim single-plug-wide power adapter with LED and proper labels (very unusual), power button on case (many external drives lack), easy assembly, diagrams right there on the inside of the drive mounting plate, the two outside case screws just drop into place, high-quality overall

Cons: Mine required firmware update via Internet search, power cable a little short, case LED very bright, you'll need a very slim screwdriver for the two outside case screws

Other Thoughts: I bought this for USB 3.0 support and because yet another Rosewill hardware device croaked (I like them but construction and reliability could be greatly improved). Note that max capacity now listed as 3TB. I have numerous USB devices, the Vantec firmware updater couldn't find my enclosure. I updated the JMicron JMS539 firmware to 255.31.3.41.22 via Internet search, the update was instant. Newegg prohibits telling you anything more, but I had no choice if I wanted functional USB 3.0 support. Updated drivers and firmware for my Rosewill Renesas USB 3.0 card are also available.

Pros: Does exactly what i needed it to do. Fast enough for my liking, feels solid, disaseembly is easy. Gets a little warm, but not enough to hurt anything.

Cons: A little expensive for what you get. Sometimes wont work with my computers usb 3.0 ports, probably not its fault.