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Nikon Introduces the Nikon Coolwalker

Mark Goldstein | Digital | January 28, 2004 | 9 Comments

Nikon CoolwalkerNikon UK Press Release 28/01/04

Nikon is pleased to announce the Coolwalker MSV-01; a 30GB portable image storage device for the organisation of digital images.

The Nikon Coolwalker is a stylish and powerful storage device that offers an invaluable solution to the organisation of thousands of large resolution image files of all formats produced by today’s high-resolution digital cameras.

Featuring a large 2.5 inch TFT monitor and easy to use Menu the Coolwalker guides you through the process of efficient image management on the move, with practical PC-less options to share and print work later.

Compatible with all major image file formats (JPEG, TIFF) as well as NEF (Nikon Electronic Format) Raw files produced by Nikon Digital SLRs and certain Coolpix digital cameras and a variety of popular storage media formats. 

Transfer and organise your digital images
The Coolwalker has 30GB of storage capacity, translating to over 10.000 2MB* image files. *E.g. a typical 6Mp camera JPEG Fine. Images are transferred quickly via the Compact FlashTM 1 / II media slot to free up your camera media card to continue shooting in the field.  Optional adaptors are available for SD, MMC, SM and MS media formats as well. Images are automatically stored by date and folder creation is simple through the plain language Menu interface displayed on the large TFT monitor.

Browse and Save
The large 2.5 inch TFT monitor makes instant browsing of thumbnails in the field easy and conserves camera battery power for shooting pictures, rather than playing them back. Full image playback functions are offered such as Rotate, Zoom, Histogram and EXIF shooting data displayed.  The large screen and Nikon’s ergonomic four-way Multi selector style pad makes delete, move, copy, rename operations easy, supported by a straightforward 5 language Menu: En, De, Fr, Es, Jp.

Share images
Once your output is organised into an extensive mobile photo album, images are easy to share with family, friends or colleagues without the need of a PC. Just connect the Nikon Coolwalker to a TV or projector (PAL/NTSC), using the included remote control and present your slide show playback. 

Print direct (PictBridgeTM compatible)
It also enables a PC-less solution for printing your images. Just plug the Coolwalker in to any PictBridge(tm) compatible printer for PC-free printing.

Long Life Battery
The Coolwalker can operate for up to two hours, due to the powerful rechargeable Lithium Polymer Nikon EN-EL6 battery and charger/AC adaptor (included). 

Freedom to move around
The Nikon Coolwalker is a complete solution for anyone who enjoys digital photography but risks getting lost in the organisation and archiving of their work. Internal shock absorbers protect the hard disk in the field and in the office, providing a safe secure location for your precious digital image archive.

Hans Gaarlandt, Marketing Executive Prosumer Film and Digital products says: “Extensive research tells us that customers are rapidly embracing the benefits of digital photography, but losing their way when it comes to organising them for sharing later. Everyone wants to be taking pictures instead of filing and captioning them! But the most pleasure from your digital photography comes in sharing them quickly and easily, instead of browsing around folders on your PC screen.

The Nikon Coolwalker combines two major benefits for the digital camera user: it frees up your expensive CF card capacity, say, on holiday or a business trip, without the need for a PC.  Once you return home, you can view your digital photo album with family, friends or colleagues using the simplest viewing medium of them all, television”.

Estimated recommended retail price £399.99

MAJOR FEATURES

* Ample storage space. Holds approximately 10,000 images* with a 30GB hard disk, the MSV-01 gives the user the freedom to store an impressively large number of images. It’s also compatible with CompactFlash and Microdrive and can be combined with a CF adapter** to enable use of SD cards too.

*Approximately 10,000 X 6-megapixel images cSan be stored in JPEG FINE.

* View-anywhere convenience. The 2.5-inch colour TFT LCD allows images to be viewed anywhere with the clarity of 117,600 pixels. The MSV-01 also offers connectivity to TVs too, so shots can be viewed on a much grander scale. A remote control terminal is additionally included, which is particularly useful when viewing images on a TV screen.

* Peripheral performance. Direct printing without the need for a PC is made possible through support of PictBridge. The MSV-01 also offers further peripheral performance by acting as a card reader for a PC* and offering Hi-Speed USB 2.0 connectivity to PCs and CompactFlash compatibility - a media widely accepted at stores offering print services.

* Compact convenience. With dimensions of just 81 X 130 X 35mm (approx.) and a weight of approximately 350g, the MSV-01 is designed to be carried comfortably virtually anywhere, allowing images to be viewed whenever the user desires.

* Easy-to-view GUI and simple operation. With an easy-to-view GUI with an SLR-consistent design and an easy-to-understand Multi-Selector accompanied by two buttons, operation is both simple and user friendly.

* Comprehensive protection. The MSV-01 has easy to grip rubber sides and is equipped with an internal hard drive secured by shock absorbers.

** The MSV-01 is compatible with CompactFlash and Microdrive cards and can also be made compatible with SD cards through combination with a CF adapter purchased from a third-party vendor.



 

Your Comments

9 Comments so far | Newest Oldest first | Post a comment

#1 John

May I be the first to say: hell no! Even if I were a Nikon user (which I probably would be if I hadn't gotten into Pentax first), I wouldn't buy this. Besides the fact that it will probably cost more than most competing products, it seems rather limited. My favorite features of the FlashTrax portable storage device: it can store any type of file (not just images and Nikon files), it's got a *really* large screen, and it plays mp3 music! The FlashTrax is the best storage solution I've seen thus far, bar none. Nikon's Coolwalker (could they come up with a dumber name?) is a nice idea, but not nice enough.

5:23 am - Thursday, January 29, 2004

#2 gordon

I have just given back my Phototainer/FlashTrax
due to one slight error
It will not work with all compact flash cards
it only would did a partial downlaods of my
SanDisk 1gd UTRA 11
which ain't much use
If you check on thier websites forum you will find a list of cards it will work with!!!!
If it ai'nt on the list it is hit or miss wether it will work
So beware
I am waiting to check out the CoolWalker
as I hope Nikon will alow me to back up all my cards

3:12 pm - Friday, April 23, 2004

#3 Lee in NC

Hey - if it is priced right and works, I'll get one! $600USD (est. from above) seems pretty high, would think $399USD would generate a fair amount of demand (as a 20GB iPod costs that much)

3:37 pm - Saturday, May 1, 2004

#4 Gordon

UPDATE
I now have the Flash Trax 80gb
It is brilliant
It has differnt software to the Phototainer
They may look ther samr BUT THEY AREN<T
I down load my IGB San Disk Utra 11
in just over 15 mins
With the USB2 conection it is even fater to load on my PC
The cool Waker still has not turned up
A friend in the trade told me it will stll be at least mid july
due to tecncal prblems
But cool walker £400 for 30gb
and Flastrax 500 for 80gb
I think I have chosen the best

12:35 pm - Tuesday, June 22, 2004

#5 Johan

I own the Flashtrax 80 GB for about 6 months; last, I did buy the Coolwalker of Nikon. I have compared both with each other and it seems the Coolwalker is a lot faster then the Flashtrax with everything. The screen quality of the Coolwalker is a lot better then the Flashtrax, even it is a little smaller. I stored a full Sandisk 1GB Ultra2 in 14 min to the Flashtrax, the Coolwalker take 8 min to store these same files. On my travel to China for three weeks, I could store almost twice as many pictures on the field on the Coolwalker with one battery charge. The Flashtrax is a nice peace of equipment, for amateur and professional photographers the Cool walker is far out a lot better.

10:02 am - Sunday, September 12, 2004

#6 gordon

Glad the here the Cool walker has arrived at last !
I must admit that I use my Flastax as an MP3 pyaer as well , wich is great when out on Hols
What size has it ended up as 30 gb is a bit small ?>

2:21 pm - Sunday, September 12, 2004

#7 me

anyone know if the harddrive is switchable on this thing? ie: if i can take the 30GB drive out and put in an 80GB? i need the space of 80GB(ala flashtrax) and the speed of the coolwalker.

8:56 pm - Saturday, October 16, 2004

#8 Mark Goldstein

I would thing that doing that would invalidate the warranty, but I guess you already know that!

Hopefully Nikon will introduce a version with more generous capacity.

9:24 am - Tuesday, October 19, 2004

#9 Dermot Donohue

Hello !
I am in the market for a Nikon Coolwalker, could you give me your current price.
Look forward to your reply.
Dermot Donohue AIPPA

12:43 pm - Tuesday, November 29, 2005

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