SATA HD Rack Recommendations?

[Breex243]

So here's the storage setup I will be using after my new shipment of drives arrive:
2*750GB Samsung F1s in RAID0 Set up into two two partitions-an OS one, and a Media one (just for easy organization). I will be using this RAID array to do most of my photo work/storing my music
1*1TB F1--I will be periodically backing up my OS/Photos/Music onto this drive
2* 750GB Drives to backup my movies (ISOs are SOO much easier to deal with than searching for physical discs...although the "Wow" effect is dramatically reduced. I will be using these only when I wish to watch a movie, which is why I want to install a SATA rack in one of my 5.25" bays, so they get less wear and whatnot.

So, I've got a few questions:
1. Anything blatantly wrong with my setup that I should consider?
2. I'm going to hold off on SSDs until they get a bit cheaper/better firmware/better controllers, and will move to a RAID0 array of those guys as well. (yes, I know, it's not a question, but some people might be "hey, get some SSDs if you want more performance)
3. What kind of SATA racks would you guys recommend? I'm looking to spend as little as possible, as I currently have an eSATA dock (which actually bugs up on me ALL the time when using eSATA, so it's now a sluggish USB little guy) that I could deal with, but I greatly prefer SATA speeds.
4. Tray-less or tray-type of rack? I kinda don't want to spend an extra $25-$30 on trays along, especially when I have a padded sock drawer I stash my drives in when I'm not suing them.
5. Any features I should look for? I thought one with a power switch would be nice--to easily turn off the drive before removing it. (yes, I'm a terrible person for not using "safely remove hardware"
6. Anywhere cheaper than Newegg? Newegg has an iffy $20 model with free shipping.
7. Oh, and I'm looking for a single 5.25: bay, btw.
8. Any advice on power requirements? I saw some models have both molex/SATA--does the Molex power some sort of controller chip? I would prefer just a SATA/Molex power plug, as some models also have a little 4-pin plug that buds off of the SATA power. Also makes wire management a LOT easier...

Thanks in advance for some good advice!

 

[tgrimley]

I think your prices are way off.. unless I'm misunderstanding. You talk about 5 hard drives and 7. says you want a single 5 1/4 bay..?

a 5 in 3 or similar will run you at least 100$

 

[Breex243]

I think your prices are way off.. unless I'm misunderstanding. You talk about 5 hard drives and 7. says you want a single 5 1/4 bay..?

a 5 in 3 or similar will run you at least 100$

Oh oops, I forgot to clarify that I'm looking for a single bay--I swap these babies out only when I use them (and I only have 1 slot left over).

 

[Bookmage]

I thought about doing this somewhile back for storing and rotating backups. Adopting the tape backup method seemed like a good idea. At the time, I considered getting the same tray/mount I use in my server. That way, I could reuse racks and have spares. I also considered getting the trayless type, cuz its less hassle, less cost, and I don't have screws to deal with.

Then I realized:
A) I'd have to keep track of drives and anything more than 7days would get complicated.
B) I might to install something else that might require screws
C) WHS takes care of backing up data
D) rync/scripted backups to other servers/computers was just as effective
E) I needed more sock space
F) Those rubber sleeves seemed cool, but the prices added up and there wasn't any dock that could use the drives w/the rubber sleeves
G) and ultimately I was too lazy to swap out drives,

Newegg has a number of drives racks

I use the IstarUSA BPN-350SAS 3 bay in my server... I would use single or 3bay for this purpose... it's trayless!
But if I'm transporting the drive, ie to werk/bank then I would want a drive tray or some rubber protector thing...
I wish someone would make a 3.5in esata/usb enclosure that fits in a 5.25 drive rack. Meant for transporting the drive w/o taking the drive out... and also works with esata connectors for other computers..
I think I saw one for the 2.5in drives... but I can't remember where...

chiefvalue with coupons, mwave. zipzoomfly might have them cheaper depending on the week...

 

[Breex243]

That's some great recommendations--HP actually makes a removable drive--I think it's called the MediaDock or something like that. You can remove the drive for use on the go, but it stores neatly in your tower when you want to transfer stuff--no enclosures/docks lying around on the desk to mess with.

Unlike your backup situation, I'll be archiving, instead of "backing up", as I usually create two OS images--one after a clean install, and one after my fav programs are installed. I archive those in case of failure, and I set up automatic backups with my school's servers for my study-related documents. Same with music--I only archive/sync every 3 months or so. Thus, I intend on keeping my movie backups in my computer, and only swap out when I need to do a backup. I don't need to transport those drives, and I store them in "foam coffins" that they ship in, so storage has been thought of.

Nice recommendation on Chiefvalue and MWave though--totally remembered that I have a $20 GC to MWave, so I'll probably buy one of their overpriced items and have it brought down a bit.

Update:
Big props to the MWave advice--I would never have used the coupon code b/c most things there are so incredibly overpriced (and the UI leaves a LOT to be desired)
This is the item I bought: http://www.mwave.com/mwave/skusearch_v3.asp?scriteria=AA70870
I chose it b/c it's nice and simple--no activity LEDs, so no extra board/power to fumble with--just power and data. All I was really looking for.
During checkout, MWave tried to rape me for shipping ($9!), but the joke's on them--2-day air was only $12, and I thought I could cut into their profits a bit more if I chose that. 3-day express saver was like $12.90, btw.