** 2 page feature in 2 parts / 826 words **
** 1 photo, direct from author, uuencoded to follow **

** Photo here **

Come Fly With Me

Having sold his SyQuest EZ135, Sandy Thomson takes his new EZFlyer for a test flight...

I was a happy EZ135 drive owner until Dave Litterick of SyQuest UK attended a recent STAG (Scotland's/TOS Atari Group) meeting to demonstrate their products - I was so impressed I bought the company!

Finding myself short of of venture capital I decided to settle for an EZFlyer instead. This model continues SyQuest's long and successful background as producers of top quality removable media drives and comes with an affordable price tag.

Like the earlier EZ135 design Syquest have once again opted for an external power supply. However, this time they have included a generous length of cable enabling the power supply unit to be located well away from the drive. The power connection to the drive utilises a DIN plug on the back of the casing. Another departure from earlier models is the Mac style 25 pin SCSI sockets marked A and B. SCSI termination is internal and automatic (if required). The drive itself weighs in at only 675 grams and measures just 136mm wide by 184mm long by 38mm high. The EZFlyer can be used either horizontally or vertically - in which case the handbook recommends wedging it to stop it falling over during use - which isn't really good enough!

The dark grey plastic case features a bright yellow power switch, situated on the left hand side of the casing (or top if used vertically). The front panel includes two LEDs - one for power the other changes from green to amber when the drive is being accessed, just like the EZ135 model.

There's a new auto-eject mechanism on the front panel, a dark green button towards the right. This is a vast improvement over the troublesome lever system provided on the EZ135 models and this doubles up as the SCSI ID selector. Cartridges are inserted in the front of the drive, and locked in position with a slight downwards movement. The dust-cover flap then springs back into place to protect the mechanism.

Before use cartridges (irrespective of whether they are initially prepared for Mac or PC use) must be partitioned using either Atari AHDI, HD-Driver or ICD software for use on Atari machines. Some people get away with partitioning cartridges, others prefer to reformat and partition their cartridges. Go with whatever works for you - we found AHDI v6.06c reliable in all cases. Once coaxed into service cartridges can be treated and maintained like any other hard drive.

The EZFlyer performs in a similar manner to its EZ135 predecessor (see comparative test) however it can store 230Mb - a significant advantage over both the ZIP and EZ135 models. The EZFlyer remains backwards compatible with EZ135 cartridges and if booted with an EZ135 cartridge loaded the drive identifies itself as an EZ135. Cartridges can be changed during use without powering off or re-booting - simply press the auto-eject button and after installing a new cartridge press the [Esc] key to update any open windows. Cartridge prices are reasonable, with 230Mb costing around £25, and 135Mb around £17, and don't forget if you can place a larger order quantity reductions reduce the overall £/Mb equation.

Conclusion
The EZFlyer is fast, quiet, easy to use, and equally at home as a primary hard drive, or a storage or back-up mechanism. Recommended.

** start Boxout 1 **
Cable connections
In common with most peripherals nowadays, the leads and software supplied with the most hardware is designed for use with PC or Mac machines. The EZFlyer features a SCSI interface accessed via two 25 pin SCSI sockets on the rear of the casing.

ST/STe machines are equipped with 25 pin DMA (ACSI) sockets and require an external ACSI/SCSI host adapter such as The ICD Link, The Translator or Toplink (or a through port on an existing external SCSI device) along with a SCSI to 25 pin SCSI cable.

Falcon machines are equipped with a SCSI II socket and can connect directly to an EZFlyer using a SCSI II to 25 pin SCSI cable or from any another SCSI device using a suitable cable.
** end Boxout 1 **

** Boxout 2 **
EZFlying solo?
If using the EZFlyer as the boot drive it's sensible to boot using the same cartridge. Alternatively you could set up different cartridges for different working environments or duplicate the Auto folder, desktop accessory and other boot partition info on each boot cartridge.
** End Boxout 2 **

** Product box **
Product name: EZFlyer 230
Publisher: SyQuest
Contact: +44 (0)131-339-2022
RRP: around £269
Requires: SCSI interface (ST/STe machines require an external ASCI/SCSI host adapter or through port on existing external SCSI device) 
Pros: Better build quality and reliability than the EZ135. Greater storage capacity than the competition. Fast, very quiet, easy to use, bootable.
Cons: No Atari software/cables, expensive initially.
Score: 85%
** End of boxout **