Hello,
I would like to know if iomega zip-drive is supported as mass storage device through the printer port of the Bathy 1500.  If the zip drive is supported can a parallel port version be connected directly into the Bathy parallel port. Thank you for your time.
Paul, University of British Columbia

Dear Paul:

We have been using an Iomega Jaz drive with the Bathy 1500.  The connection is made using a parallel to SCSI interface cable.  ODEC can supply this cable, and or mass storage <here for info> (optionally with a rack mount kit) if necessary.  The main criteria determining compatability is the data transfer rate through the cable and to the device (i.e., the write speed).  To date, we have not tested with a zip drive but I would suspect that it would work.  The best way to find out is to connect the zip drive using a parallel to SCSI interface cable (if you do not have one, ODEC can supply one <here for info> ) to the Bathy 1500.  Power on the zip drive first and then power on the Bathy 1500.  Once the system is powered and running try turning on one or more of the mass storage options.   If the system does not display an error, then the drive has been recognized.   At this point close the Mass Storage Option menu and watch the LED on the zip drive to see if it is flashes.  Reopen the Mass Storage Option menu a few minutes later (see p.3-22 of the manual) and check to see if the file size has been updated.  If you have gotten this far then the device is working properly.  If you are able to store to the zip drive the final test will be running the system in the field.  If the system has any new problems after installing the zip drive then the write speed of the zip drive would be suspect and an alternate storage device would have to be used.   Please let me know how you make out.  best of luck.
Kind regards,

Tom Opishinski, Senior Ocean Engineer