A Closer Look
Taking a look at the EP02 SATA to USB3.0 adaptor to start with, as highlighted on the previous page, the adaptor is bundled with a USB cable as one would hope and expect and a simple user guide on getting things connected. The cable itself has a standard USB3.0 connector on one end for connection to the host system and this splits out to two more USB plugs. One of these is another USB plug for supplying additional power to the adaptor where required (3.5″ drives will require a separate 12v power source) and on the other end is a micro-USB3.0 terminal for connection to the adaptor itself.
On the SATA side of the EP02, there isn’t much to talk over, with nothing more than a female SATA power and data header for connection to a solid state or mechanical drive.
On the other side of the plug we obviously get the USB3.0 connector and beside this is a separate DC jack for an additional 12V power source (not included) to be connected when using the EP02 with 3.5″ mechanical hard drives.
The other half of this external drive combination is the silicone case that wraps around the storage medium. On the top we see that Silverstone have done a little more than just mould a raised emblem into the silicone with an aperture like pattern running around the middle. The underside also features a similar pattern, although this is a negative impression of what is on top to allow more than one of these cases to be stacked on top of one another.
Inserting a drive into the case is very simple to do. On one end of the case is a large slot through which the drive can pass through and to ensure that the drive stays in place all the while you want it to, the opening is only a shade wider than what a drive is, meaning the drive is nice and snug once inside. Inside the case is a series of raised silicone dimples which protect and hold the drive in place whilst also allowing for a small amount of ambient airflow around the drive at the same time.
Once the drive is inside, the opening of the case goes back to its set shape and the drive has virtually no free movement inside to rattle around. A perfect fit is just what Silverstone wanted to have.
On the business end of the enclosure, the silicone is a little thinner that around the rest of the case to allow the SATA terminal to sit flush along the outside of the MS07.
Bringing both items together, we can now see how Silverstone have kept the same design thoughts running through both products resulting in an external drive setup that looks like it comes as a single package.
