BYTECC BT-350V Super Speed USB 3.0 to SATA/IDE Adaptor w/ OTB

Pros: Communicates correctly with the host controller, doesn't get hot.

Cons: Physically awkward in all regards.

[1] Laid flat on a table the SATA & 3.5" IDE female receivers sit higher than the drive paddles/pins. Result is compromised connection stability (tweaked angle wants to pop the far side of the adapter into the air) & non-easy insertion.

[2] Cables are short and very stiff so they loop around in the air efficiently transferring bumps into the adapter & drive, pushing the assembly around the table and/or breaking the connection. I've relocated this aerial sculpture with help from a USB extension cable.

[3] No inline switch. One must pull a plug to cut power to the drive.

[4] It's a monster. Two and one half times the footprint of a typical USB adapter, larger in volume than a laptop drive.

Other Thoughts: While the lack of a 15cent switch is dumb the cables are a hazard to drives. At entry to the adapter case they sport heavy heads with molded tapers like you'd want on a vacuum cleaner cord to protect the flex point from insulation tears. The USB cable is both fatter and stiffer than the metal mesh sheathed extension cable it's attached to. They're far too industrial for a five ounce adapter or to manage in the presence of a loose drive.

This is my 5th USB adapter, first USB-3 capable, second bytecc.

Pros: SATA connector is well designed/works well. Used it. Works fast.

Cons: 3.5" IDE keeps falling off. Hard to line up. Connector lines up off-center. Poorly designed. Has different number of pins than IDE standard. Tried to find IDE extender to make it work better. Could not find extender.

Other Thoughts: Have not used 2.5" IDE. Going to find another brand. Bytecc is on my "Do not buy" list.