Let us start with the obvious. The LaCie Rugged BOSS SSD series is not meant for the typical consumer. It is not even meant for the typical enthusiast. Instead it has been designed with laser like focus on the professional photographer and videographer’s needs. Specifically, a professional who may not be able to carry a laptop with them but wants to back up their precious – sometimes ‘once in a lifetime’ – shots in as hassle free and secure a manner as possible. If this does not sound like you, the asking price of nearly 630 will not be justifiable.
With that said the LaCie Rugged BOSS SSD is a game changer. While it is true On Set/Site Storage is not a new idea, the ease of which you can back up your data and know it is safe is. What once took a laptop, a card reader, and a portable USB storage device now requires only one device: the Rugged BOSS SSD. That is a massive improvement. When in the bush with another 20 miles to base camp to go “ounces equal pounds and pounds equals pain”. Yes, the Rugged BOSS weighs nearly 18oz, but that is pounds and pounds of savings compared to the components it replaces. Savings in an overcrowded camera bag that can now be used for another lens, or camera… or just a little less pain.
Do not get us wrong. The LaCie Rugged BOSS SSD is not just for NatGeo professionals. It will be equally at home in the concrete jungle where worries over having your camera bag stolen while waiting for a cab/subway/bus is a legitimate concern. The same is true of wedding photographers. Both groups are prey for criminals looking for that oh so sweet laptop bag to snatch. With the Rugged BOSS SSD a laptop is not needed. In fact, with the included software you do not even need a laptop’s screen to see your photos/videos during the shoot. All you need do is plug it into your phone and you are good to go.
Now is the LaCie Rugged BOSS SSD perfect? No. Compromises had to be made. The first and most obvious is the interface. A single button for control, combined with a small LCD screen that can be easily washed out via any light source, can make a simple task like copying a card a bit more headache inducing than it should be. Including a SD UHS-II card reader is nice, but having to carry a QXD/CFAST/etc. card reader is not. LaCie really should have gone the extra mile and fixed these issues. Another button, a better screen setup, even a better card reader would have all made a very good, very practical solution for the professional into a veritable Siren Song.
As it stands it may have a few quirks, but it does what it sets out to do. Make the life of a professional just a little bit easier. That is a laudable goal, and the fact LaCie Rugged BOSS SSD does get more right than it does wrong. So, if you think something like this is right up your alley the price will not be a concern. It will save you its asking price potentially many times over in the first year you use it. Just understand that it is quirky and not a perfect replacement for a laptop.
The Review
LaCie Rugged BOSS SSD
The LaCie Rugged BOSS SSD in unabashedly focused on a very specific buyer: the professional. If you are not in this narrow window you will never be able to justify the asking price. If you are, it is a ton cheaper than a ruggedized laptop and typical USB external storage device. Mix in the weight savings to go along with the overall cost savings and the end result is we can see a lot of these suddenly appearing the serious professional’s ‘go bag’.
