by 27 reviews.
Seagate Skyhawk ST6000VX0023 6 TB Internal Hard Drive Review: A Reliable Surveillance Storage Solution?
When it comes to surveillance systems, having a reliable and high-capacity hard drive is crucial. The Seagate Skyhawk ST6000VX0023 6 TB Internal Hard Drive is designed specifically for this purpose, offering a massive 6 TB storage capacity, a 256 MB cache, and a SATA 6Gb/s interface for fast data transfer. But does it live up to its promises? Let’s dive into the details based on real customer experiences.
Pros and Cons of the Seagate Skyhawk ST6000VX0023
1. Performance and Reliability
The Seagate Skyhawk is marketed as a high-performance drive optimized for 24/7 surveillance environments. Many users have praised its ability to handle continuous recording without hiccups. One customer mentioned, "It's been at least a good 6 months now, and no issues so far. I would recommend this item!" Another user highlighted its seamless installation and compatibility with their NVR system, stating, "It was very easy to install and works great! Highly recommended!"
However, not all experiences have been positive. Some users reported premature failures. One reviewer shared, "After installing the second one, it ran without issue for about five months before it failed." Another customer received a defective unit that made unusual noises and was unrecognizable by their system: "The BIOS wouldn't recognize the drive, and it sounded like a garbage truck driving down the road."
2. Compatibility and Installation
The Seagate Skyhawk is designed to be compatible with most NVR systems, and many users found the installation process straightforward. One satisfied customer noted, "This Seagate Skyhawk HDD was recommended by the manufacturer of my Security System NVR. It was very easy to install and works great!"
On the flip side, some users faced compatibility issues. A frustrated reviewer stated, "This never worked. The DVR couldn't initialize it. Tried on different DVRs. Same result. Showed too many bad sectors on diagnostics." Another user had trouble with their system recognizing the drive, despite no visible damage to the packaging.
3. Durability and Longevity
The drive boasts a Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) of 1,000,000 hours, which suggests exceptional durability. Many users have had positive experiences with its longevity. For instance, one customer reported, "Funcionando de maravilla hasta la fecha" (Working wonderfully to date).
However, there are concerning reports of drives failing within months of use. One user shared, "I reinstalled the old 2TB HDD that came with the system and haven't had a problem since." This raises questions about the consistency of the drive's durability.
4. Customer Service and Warranty
While the product itself has mixed reviews, customer service experiences have been less than stellar for some. A dissatisfied buyer complained, "Very poor service by Amazon. I got the product on 19th Oct and cannot return it on 31st Oct, even when it is clearly advertised as a 15-day return policy." Another user expressed frustration with the warranty process, asking, "Since my DVR arrived later than the return date, how do I claim warranty?"
Conclusion: Is the Seagate Skyhawk ST6000VX0023 Worth It?
The Seagate Skyhawk ST6000VX0023 6 TB Internal Hard Drive offers impressive features, including a large storage capacity, fast data transfer speeds, and optimization for surveillance systems. Many users have found it to be a reliable and efficient solution for their security needs. However, the mixed reviews regarding durability, compatibility, and customer service cannot be ignored.
Strengths:
- High storage capacity (6 TB) ideal for surveillance footage.
- Smooth performance in 24/7 recording environments.
- Easy installation and compatibility with most NVR systems.
Weaknesses:
- Reports of premature failures and defective units.
- Some compatibility issues with certain DVR/NVR systems.
- Poor customer service experiences and warranty challenges.
Final Verdict: If you’re looking for a high-capacity hard drive optimized for surveillance, the Seagate Skyhawk ST6000VX0023 is a solid choice—provided you receive a defect-free unit. However, given the mixed reviews, it’s worth considering alternative brands or models if reliability and customer support are top priorities for you.
Specification Seagate Skyhawk ST6000VX0023 6 TB Internal Hard Drive:
Comments from Amazon:
The drive on the security surveillance where Ibwork took a Southward dive. So the Big Boss asked me to find a replacement and that I did right here on Amazon. Product came packaged well, delivery was prompt, and it works like a charm. It's been at least a good 6 months now and no issues so far. I would reccomend this item!
Drive arrived unusable. Packaging was not damaged, but the BIOS wouldn't recognize the drive and it sounded like a garbage truck driving down the road. All kinds of noises we're coming out of this thing. Returned for full refund and bought a new Western Digital 8tb drive.
This Seagate Skyhawk HDD was recommended by the manufacturer of my Security System NVR. It was very easy to install and works great! Highly recommended!
Funcionando de maravilla hasta la fecha
This never worked. The DVR coudnt initialise it. Tried on different dvrs. Same result. Showed too many bad sector on diagnostis. Smart monitoring not available. The computer didn't recognise either. What do I do? Since my DVR arrived later than the return date how do I claim warranty?
defective product received, it makes beeping sound and is not detected by any motherboard. Very poor service by amazon, i got the product on 19th oct and cannot return it on 31st oct, even when it is clearly advertised as 15 day return policy. Now I have wasted 12000 rupees very dissapointed
I ordered two of these based on my NVR's reported expandable storage capacity. However, upon them arriving, I found only one set of cables inside my NVR and had to return one of the drives. Luckily, returning the second one (unopened) went off without issue and I got a refund once the HDD was received by the seller. HOWEVER, after installing the second one, it ran without issue for about five months before it failed... I went to check video about a month ago, found my system displaying a message that no HDD drive installed. I turned off and restarted the system and it recognized the HDD. I formatted the drive and kept an eye on it for about a week. There were no issues, but after trying to look up some video I found the same message, no HDD drive installed and no video... Ugh... I had ensured there were no obstructions around the NVR cover and checked the airflow to make sure it was not an overheating issue. Best I can tell, novice here, the heat generated by the 6Tb HDD was not an issue. I reinstalled the old 2TB HDD that came with the system and haven't had a problem. Note, the installed HDD for my NVR was Seagate as well.