SYBA SY-ADA20141 USB 3.0 to SATA III Hard Drive Adapter, Supports 2.5" or 3.5" SATA HDD, OTB, UL Adapter

Pros: It does everything it promises.

Cons: None

Other Thoughts: In the 5 months that I've had this adapter it has been used by me and a few friends. No one has had any problems with transfers, cloning, or just searching old drives. Very satisfied with this purchase. On 2.5' drives I don't even use the power cord.

Pros: - ???

Cons: - SATA connector NOT ANCHORED
- all PCB components placed and soldered BY HAND
- several poor solder joints as a result
- two smears of solder on PCB surface
- button face doesn't even align with PCB button

Other Thoughts: After my call to Newegg was unceremoniously dropped and learned that Syba/IOCrest refuse to accept their responsibility for return shipping, I risked opening the device myself. The workmanship is quite poor, which was ultimately the cause of the bent SATA connector: had the connector been properly anchored to the PCB or housing, it wouldn't have become bent so easily. I carefully bent the connector back into position; those solder joints at least looked good. I used JB Weld to fill in the space between the connector and PCB edge; when that cures it will firmly hold the connector in place.

(I've just had a moment of doubt and terror, though, when I remembered that JB Weld has a very high iron content and in fact responds to magnets... I hope and pray it's not also electrically conductive and that it doesn't interact with the faint magnetic fields around the connector pins and cause trouble.)

Manufacturer Response:

Dear Customer,

We apologize for the inconvenience of paying for shipping a product to us, but this also helps us in the future by pinpointing out how the product got defective so we can improve on our design.

Making affordable quality products is our goal. Our engineers will look into this matter. If it is a problem of our production procedures, we will improve it.

Thank you for purchasing one of our products, and for leaving us your valuable feedback.

We are more than happy to provide all of our customers with a prompt exchange whenever a product becomes defective.

SYBA offers an online RMA form, the user can easily fill out the form and submit it for a quick RMA return and exchange. It is SYBA's policy to answer all customer inquiries within 24 hours (M-F)

Our technical support team is available to help 9am-5pm M-F. Feel free to contact us during those business hours.

Regards, SYBA CST 03222013

Pros: - small, light, easy to carry
- doesn't require external power for many devices

Cons: - damaged on arrival

Other Thoughts: I belatedly got around to opening the box, intending to put it to its first use, but I discovered that the SATA connector is c0ck-eyed, bent down at an angle. It seems to work in spite of the obviously precarious situation, but I doubt it's trustworthy and if I disassemble it to assess the extent of the damage to the contacts and whether it's repairable it would void the 3-year warranty. I will shortly be begging for a belated exchange from Newegg.

Manufacturer Response:

Dear Customer,

Making affordable quality products is our goal. Our engineers will look into this matter. If it is a problem of our production procedures, we will improve it.

Thank you for purchasing one of our products, and for leaving us your valuable feedback.

We are more than happy to provide all of our customers with a prompt exchange whenever a product becomes defective.

SYBA offers an online RMA form, the user can easily fill out the form and submit it for a quick RMA return and exchange. It is SYBA's policy to answer all customer inquiries within 24 hours (M-F)

Our technical support team is available to help 9am-5pm M-F. Feel free to contact us during those business hours.

Regards, SYBA CST 03222013

Pros: makes connections

Cons: This device is designed in such a way that it makes and breaks connections with the slightest movement of wires or drive body. Also and I know they didn't say it did, it doesn't support DVD/CD or Blueray burners-just hard drives. If the device is bumped it could easily break the Hard drive sata plugs off the drive. Goodluck!

Manufacturer Response:

Data transfer is indeed sensitive.

For any product involving plugging in SATA cables there are many cases of SATA plugs being pulled off.

But did you know there are 3 types of SATA cables in which all support a different and secure angles?


Our technical support team is available to help 9am-5pm M-F.

Feel free to contact us during those business hours at support@sybausa.com

We apologize for any issues that you are having.

As you know we are more than happy to provide our customers with a hassle free exchange when a product is defective.

SYBA offers an online RMA form the user can easily fill out submit it for a quick RMA return and exchange.

It is SYBA's policy to answer all customer inquiries within 24 hours (M-F)

Regards, SYBA CST 02122013

Pros: Fast when it works

Cons: Frequent disconnects with some motherboards

Other Thoughts: I have tried this unit on two motherboards using USB 3.0. It works fine with my ASUS F1-A75M (A75 chipset) but will not stay connected on an ASUS M5A97 (970/SB950 chipset) when using USB 3.0. Seems to be fine at USB 2.0. Both motherboards have the latest drivers from the AMD website. Did not try a clean install of Windows 7 64 but the other external hard drive enclosure I have works fine with it.

When it works, its fast and seems to be reliable but there is a definite compatibility issue with the second motherboard.

Manufacturer Response:

Dear Customer,

Reading from your feedback, we believe the problem might be the connectors. Please double check the USB and SATA cable connections to the adapter. If possible, tape the connector to its place.

This is a USB-based adapter and it will work with all motherboards what support USB technology (1.1, 2.0, and 3.0). Please contact our technical support and we will help you to make this adapter works for you flowlessly.

Our technical support team is available to help 9am-5pm M-F. Feel free to contact us during those business hours at support@sybausa.com

We apologize for any issues that you are having. As you know we are more than happy to provide our customers with a hassle free exchange when a product is defective.

SYBA offers an online RMA form, the user can easily fill out the form and submit it for a quick RMA return and exchange. It is SYBA's policy to answer all customer inquiries within 24 hours (M-F)

Thank you for purchasing one of our products, and for leaving us your valuable feedback. We value all positive and negative feedback.

Regards, SYBA CST 02182013

Pros: Works on USB 2.0 ports... mostly.

Cons: Doesn't work on USB 3.0 ports including built-in ports and add-on board ports. Also doesn't work on powered USB 2.0 hub.

Other Thoughts: I'm using Windows 8, btw.

Its better than nothing... but not by much.

Manufacturer Response:

Dear Customer,

If it is working with the USB 2.0 port, please give our technical support a call. We should be able to help you.

Please check the following information before you call:
1. Have you used the supplied cable?
2. Do you have it connected to the power supply?
3. What type of HD you try to connect to? A bare HDD or HDD in a enclosure? How do you power the HD?

Our technical support team is available to help 9am-5pm M-F. Feel free to contact us during those business hours at support@sybausa.com

We apologize for any issues that you are having. As you know we are more than happy to provide our customers with a hassle free exchange when a product is defective.

SYBA offers an on-line RMA form, the user can easily fill out the form and submit it for a quick RMA return and exchange. It is SYBA's policy to answer all customer inquiries within 24 hours (M-F)

Thank you for purchasing one of our products, and for leaving us your valuable feedback. We value all positive and negative feedback.

Regards, SYBA CST 02182013

Pros: Very fast and smooth operation! THIS IS A PLUG AND PLAY DEVICE. No drivers needed on Windows 7.

Cons: Has a cheap feel. Metal label plate does not fit recessed area and comes off easily. Plastic case makes creaking noise during normal handling.

Other Thoughts: Directions say to install software and follow instructions. The software is the backup software and is not needed. Didn't like that the instructions implied the software is needed for operation, I hope that is was just a language translation issue.