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Recommendation for best External LibreDrive / 4K capable / clamshell?

Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2021 1:50 am
by ancient
Hi all

Can someone please recommend what is the best external usb3 4K capable LibreDrive ? ... preferably a clamshell type, rather than slot loading.

A couple of related questions:
Would it work out of the box, or would I need to flash it to a LibreDrive firmware?
If a LibreDrive firmware is required, does the existing firmware need to be a specific version?

Many thanks.

Re: Recommendation for best External LibreDrive / 4K capable / clamshell?

Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2021 2:13 am
by Billycar11
there are no claim shell drives that do UHD
i recommend the BU40N though a and external usb drive
listed in the guide below and i sell them to ready to go
any drive you buy not from a seller will need to be flashed by you but all firmware currently can be flashed read the guide below has all the info you need

Re: Recommendation for best External LibreDrive / 4K capable / clamshell?

Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2021 2:25 pm
by ancient
Thanks for the reply Billy...I have since read up on your excellent guides and contribution from the fellow amazing helpful souls on here...with the knowledge attained, I will attempt to flash it.

I will indeed go for the BU40N...I notice there is only 1 listed sata case (where firmware functions work) for it ?...
Vantec NST-510S3-BK 9.5mm slim sata case

Do you know of any others please?

Re: Recommendation for best External LibreDrive / 4K capable / clamshell?

Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2021 2:35 pm
by Billycar11
Yes flashing firmware works in the case.
Also the archgon come with the BU40N inside listed in the guide and that case already comes assembled with the drive and also works for flashing firmware

Re: Recommendation for best External LibreDrive / 4K capable / clamshell?

Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2021 3:56 pm
by ancient
Looks like Amazon UK only lists MD-8102-U3YC-BDRW-K ,do you know if this is the newer version...and if it also contains BU40N ?

Re: Recommendation for best External LibreDrive / 4K capable / clamshell?

Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2021 4:08 pm
by Billycar11
ancient wrote:
Sat Aug 07, 2021 3:56 pm
Looks like Amazon UK only lists MD-8102-U3YC-BDRW-K ,do you know if this is the newer version...and if it also contains BU40N ?
Not sure

Re: Recommendation for best External LibreDrive / 4K capable / clamshell?

Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2021 8:42 pm
by ancient
No worries and thanks, I've contacted the supplier for confirmation, if they reply I will update this post.

Re: Recommendation for best External LibreDrive / 4K capable / clamshell?

Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2021 3:43 am
by MartyMcNuts
ancient wrote:
Sat Aug 07, 2021 3:56 pm
Looks like Amazon UK only lists MD-8102-U3YC-BDRW-K ,do you know if this is the newer version...and if it also contains BU40N ?
No, this model does not contain a BU40N. Off the top of my head, it contains either Pioneer or Panasonic drive. The Archgon MD-8107S-U3YC-UHD is the model to get.

Re: Recommendation for best External LibreDrive / 4K capable / clamshell?

Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2021 11:38 pm
by ancient
Thank you for the confirmation Marty...appreciated....that model is not available in the UK at all.

I've gone for a bare BU40N, with Vantec case :)