First Impression - ASKA Tripper V Portable Storage Device (Epson P-5000 Killer?)

[KhoKing]

This should be the world's FIRST ASKA Tripper V review in English. I couldn't find much information about this product in the net...as I have posted in here. So I took the chance to order one unit for myself...as I plan to sell and offer this product to the world at ShaShinKi.com, so must try and test it out myself first. 

I just received my ASKA Tripper V this morning! What a surprise! I thought it will never came...thought of dropping an email to the supplier already.

The ASKA Tripper V came in an envelope style of packaging. Knowing how Japanese handle their parcels with care, I have no worry. Pierce open the envelope and I saw a big white box inside. Yeah, no printing or marking at all, just plain white box.

Here's what you will see after opening the box:
 

Here's the full set of items and accessories in the package:
 

Can't wait to open up the box and find the Tripper V, hands shaking a little... :-D

The first thing I checked with the Tripper V is the Language selection. Manual? Nah...I don't read manual. If the device required a manual to operate, then it probably won't worth buying at all. Slide to ON the Tripper V on the right side, it starts up in around 3~5 seconds. You can see a nice ASKA logo during start up. Screen is great (relief)!

Press the Nintendo button, with a little bit of Japanese understanding, I found the Setting menu immediately. Go to Language Selection (in Japanese), and VIOLA! There are Japanese and English available! What a relief!

Settled the Language problem, now the screen. Need to find some photos to test. Went to their default album, and yes, there are some sample photos inside. Checked checked checked, no flaw on the screen, stunning colours! Can't detect DOT or PIXELS with naked eyes. Very fine resolutions and colours. Comparable to Epson P-5000 screen? YES, definitely!

In order to appreciate the screen, one have to see how it glows in dark:

Now back to studying the menu or front page design. I find the buttons to be easy to understand and use. When a selection is available, there will be light next to the button. Take for example of the photo above, in browsing My Pictures, you can see button 1 (OK), 2(MENU), 3(CANCEL) and 5(HOME) are lighted up. This means button 4(COPY) is not available and if you pressed it, there will be nothing.

One thing to note, the Nintendo button and the 1~5 buttons are not completely silent. When pressed, there is a click sound. Not soft keyboard type, which I think can be improved in future.

There are 8 different menu on the front page with each shown as folder in the bottom. Press the Nintendo pad left and right will select the menu from: (From left to right)

Saved Data -> My Picture ->  My Music -> My Movie ->

Secret -> Memory Card -> History -> Setting

 

I haven't test the download speed yet, but connecting to the PC via USB port and copy some files to the Tripper V shows that a 6MB files takes around 5~7 seconds to copy from PC to Tripper V. I will report more details download speed later.
 
That's all for now...more to come later. 

[tcom]

The first steps look nice. How does it compare in size and weight with the Epson?

[KhoKing]

The first steps look nice. How does it compare in size and weight with the Epson?

Size and weight are similar to the Epson. ASKA is slightly wider (length) due to 4.3" screen versus Epson P-5000 4" screen. Weight is about the same as well.

[roentarre]

I was about to order Epson 5000

How much is this one costing you?

[KhoKing]

I was about to order Epson 5000

How much is this one costing you?

Hi Roentarre,

ASKA is only offered in Japan, due to this...I import it and now offer it at ShaShinKi.com:

http://shashinki.com/shop/aska-m-63.html

[Roberts]

According this - http://www.photozone.de/2Equipment/portableHD.htm - ASKA looks good!

[PeteD]

From what I am reading it does not accept Memory Sticks, that is not good for me.

Does it have a replaceable battery like the Vosonic 83XX series?

Thanks.

Pete

[KhoKing]

Hi Pete,

Most Portable Storage Device does not accept memory stick directly, but you can always use a CF converter to use memory stick, xD...etc. card on the CF slot:

17-IN-1 CompactFlash Card Adapter

http://shashinki.com/shop...h-card-adapter-p-180.html

Yes, it has a user removeable battery, but the battery is ASKA specific, not the NP100 as in Vosonic.

[roentarre]

Does this storage device show up images of PEF Raw format from k10d?

I am almost buying the device.  How come this thing is cheaper than Epson 5000? Does this also play music or movie or just a storage device for photographs?

Thanks

[KhoKing]

Hi roentarre,

Yes, PENTAX PEF raw file is supported. You can even zoom in and out. There are 8X zoom in the ASKA device.

Yes, it can play movie and music as well. Comes with a earphone (supplied).

Why cheaper than Epson P-5000? Hmm...I think Epson is more branded, more advertisement, hence higher price.

[PeteD]

I am leaning towards getting one of these rather than one of the cheaper Vosonic units but would like to know a little more info about them.

Do you know how long the battery lasts playing video or audio files?

What format video out is supported?

Are extra batteries available?

Thanks.

Pete

[KhoKing]

Hi Pete,

I did not test on video, but for memory card download, it can last for 70GB download as according to ASKA website and according to photozone.de.

Video format, according to photozone.de, it support: MPEG2/4,WMV,DivX.

Extra battery is available at US$73 per piece.

Compare to Vosonic VP8390, Aska Tripper V is MUCH MUCH better. Tripple V is similar to the class of Epson P-5000.

[tcom]

This device looks very interesting. It has all I need: support for SDHC, reads PENTAX PEF, seems long lasting for memory card download and according to photozone.de it also has a higher screen resolution. Might be interested in getting one...

[PeteD]

I am guessing that it will have similar playing time to the 8390.

Are these a proprietary battery or might others be available?

Screen res looks amazing.

Thanks.

Pete

[KhoKing]

Hi Pete,

The battery is specific by ASKA, cannot use other type or brand.

Here's the dimension and physical size comparison with Epson P-5000 (my report at my blog):

ASKA Tripper V biggest target is Epson P-5000 potential buyer, so I did a comparison in size of weight of the two products.

The photo below shows the plan view of the two products based on their specifications dimensions:



In terms of weight (both with battery and HDD):

    * ASKA Tripper V = 370g (very accurate weight, I personally measured it with my digital weight meter)
    * Epson P-5000 = 430g

From the above, it can be clearly seen that ASKA tripper V is not only having the advantage in bigger screen while still capable of maintaining the similar size with Epson P-5000, but also manage to give less weight as compared to Epson P-5000.

ASKA Tripper V is made in Japan, while Epson P-5000 in made in China.

How is the built quality of ASKA Tripper V? Personally I would give Epson P-5000 a 9/10 while ASKA Tripper V a 8/10. The design of Tripper V is more like a rectangular box shape, while Epson P-5000 has some nice round or curvy corners.

Here’s a photo of Epson P-5000 and Tripper V (save your imagination and time to search the net):