I just got the RAVPower WD07 FileHub as an update replacement for my FileHub WD03. The WD07 is advertised as a performance improvement over the WD03, adding a 5GHz transmit capability. Aside from that, the new device is really functionally the same as the older and offers really great capabilities. Since there has been a lot of discussion regarding the earlier model, I'll focus on whether this new model is an improvement.
I ran tests with both devices, copying the same files from an SD card to a hard drive (both connected to the FileHub) and from the SD card to an iPad Pro. These tests indicate that the WD07 is significantly slower at transferring data than the WD03. I’ve had the WD03 for a couple of years now and also owned the earlier FileHub devices so I have years of experience with them. I am also a retired S/W Systems Engineer with 47 years’ experience so I try to be careful with my testing.
Files on SD card: 165 Canon RAW image files 2,041,391,621 bytes
Devices Used:
WD07 FileHub with latest firmware - V2.0.038
WD03 FileHub with latest firmware - V2.000.066
10.5” iPad Pro running iOS 11.4.1 with latest FileHub application – V2.0.48
Sandisk Extreme Pro 32GB SD card
Western Digital 4TB USB3.0 My Passport Ultra Portable Hard Drive
WD07Transfer Rates Measured:
SD card -> HDD (using Copy command in FileHub app): 216 secs. (9,450,887 bytes/sec 9.01 MB/sec)
SD card -> iPad Pro (5GHz FileHub network, using FileHub Copy command from SD card to FileHub Documents folder on iPad): 648 secs (3,150,295 bytes/sec 3.004 MB/sec)
SD card -> iPad Pro (2.4GHz FileHub network, using FileHub Copy command from SD card to FileHub Documents folder): 756 secs (2,700,253 bytes/sec 2.575 MB/sec)
WD03 Transfer Rates Measured:
SD card -> HDD (using Copy command in FileHub app): 156 secs (12.48 MB/sec)
SD card -> iPad Pro (FileHub network, using FileHub Copy command from SD card to FileHub Documents folder): 486 secs (4.00 MB/sec)
Other observations –
- The WD07 got significantly warmer than the WD03 during these tests. When I removed the SD card from the WD07, it was very warm, a concern given the effects of heat on memory devices.
- The WD03 has a larger battery (6000 mAh) than the WD07 (5200 mAh).
- When connected to the WD07’s 5GHz network, bridging to other local networks is not possible as the FileHub does not show any external networks as available; bridging only works with the FileHub’s 2.4GHz network. On both devices, the bridged Internet connection runs at approx. 60% of the speed of the original connection (checked with Speedtest).
- When used in bridge mode, the WD07 cannot see external 5GHz networks (similar to the WD03); it sees and can only bridge to 2.4GHz external networks.
- Both devices provided solid connections, both with the FileHubs network alone and with bridged Internet connects; no drops seen.
- Using an SMB connection to the FileHub, you can access the attached storage using other file management apps like FileBrowser and FileExplorer (unchanged functionality).
- Physically, the WD07 is larger than the compact WD03 – about ½” longer, ¾” wider, but slightly smaller in depth. Weight is not noticeably different.
- The USB port on both devices is USB2.0. I was hoping a newer model would be USB3.0.
- The WD07 has a USB-C charge port while the WD03 uses micro USB. The WD07 may charge faster but I didn’t measure as that has never been an issue for me with the older device. A short USB-A (3.0) to USB-C is provided; for me, it just means one more cable to carry along so I don’t see this as a positive.
Conclusion – based on the above, the current incarnation of the FileHub does not appear to be an improvement over the earlier version (which is $10 cheaper on Amazon). In fact, is seems to be a step back. I'll be returning the WD07 for a refund and will continue using the WD03.
Links –
WD07:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BW3JYJR/
WD03:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00T5XQE3U/
