BENFEI USB C Dual Bay Hard Drive Docking Station with UASP Offline Clone Function

Introduction

This manual provides detailed instructions for the BENFEI USB C Dual Bay Hard Drive Docking Station. This device allows for simultaneous reading, writing, and transferring data between two 2.5" or 3.5" HDD/SSD drives, and features a one-button offline clone function. Please read this manual thoroughly before use to ensure proper operation and to maximize the lifespan of your device.

What's in the Box

Verify that all items listed below are included in your package:

• 1 x BENFEI USB 3.0 to SATA Dual-Bay Hard Drive Docking Station
• 1 x USB-A/C to USB-C Cable (3.3 ft / 1 M)
• 1 x USB-C to USB-C Cable (Power supply) (3.3 ft / 1 M)
• 1 x 33W Fast Charger
• 1 x User Manual (this document)

Image: The package contents include the docking station, two USB cables (one for data, one for power), a 33W fast charger, and the user manual.

Product Overview

The BENFEI Dual Bay Docking Station is designed for efficient data management and drive cloning. It supports both 2.5" and 3.5" SATA I/II/III HDDs and SSDs.

Image: The BENFEI Dual Bay Hard Drive Docking Station, shown with a 3.5-inch HDD and a 2.5-inch SSD inserted, along with its power adapter and USB data cable.

Key Features:

• Dual-Bay Operation: Simultaneously read, write, and transfer data between two 2.5" or 3.5" HDD/SSD drives.
• One-Button Offline Clone: Duplicate drives without connecting to a computer.
• High-Speed Data Transfer: Up to 5Gbps with USB 3.1 Gen 1 and UASP support.
• Stable Power Supply: Dedicated 12V/2.5A power adapter ensures reliable operation.
• Tool-Free Installation: Easy insertion and removal of drives.
• Wide Compatibility: Supports Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android systems.

Setup Instructions

Connecting the Docking Station:

1. Insert Hard Drives: Gently slide your 2.5" or 3.5" SATA HDD/SSD into the drive bays (Slot A and/or Slot B) until securely seated. Ensure the power switch on the back of the docking station is in the OFF position before inserting or removing drives.
2. Connect Power: Use the white USB-C to USB-C cable to connect the included 33W Fast Charger to the "USB-C Power in" port on the back of the docking station. Plug the charger into a power outlet.
3. Connect to Computer (for Read & Write function): Use the black USB-A/C to USB-C cable to connect the "USB 3.0-C" port on the back of the docking station to an available USB port on your computer.
4. Power On: Press the power button located on the back of the docking station. The indicator lights will illuminate.

Image: A detailed view of the BENFEI docking station, highlighting the SATA ports (A for Source, B for Target), Copy Button, Disk A/B Indicators, Power Button, USB 3.0-C port, and USB-C Power In port. This image also shows the included USB-A to USB-C and USB-C to USB-C cables.

Operating Instructions

1. Read & Write Function (PC Mode)

This mode allows you to access and manage data on your drives via a connected computer.

1. Ensure the docking station is set up as described in the "Setup Instructions" and connected to your computer.
2. Insert your 2.5" or 3.5" HDD/SSD into either Slot A or Slot B (or both).
3. Power on the docking station.
4. Your computer's operating system should detect the drives automatically. You can now access them like any other external storage device.
5. Important Note: For new SSDs, you may need to initialize them through your computer's Disk Management (Windows) or Disk Utility (macOS) before they appear.

Image: The BENFEI docking station connected to a laptop via USB-C, illustrating high-speed data transmission at 5Gbps. A 3.5-inch HDD and a 2.5-inch SSD are inserted into the bays.

2. Offline Clone Function (No PC Required)

This function allows you to duplicate a source drive to a target drive without needing a computer connection.

1. Preparation:
   • Ensure the docking station is NOT connected to a computer.
   • Insert the Source Disk (the drive you want to copy FROM) into Slot A.
   • Insert the Target Disk (the drive you want to copy TO) into Slot B.
   • Important: The capacity of the Target Disk must be equal to or larger than the Source Disk. Any data on the Target Disk will be overwritten during the cloning process. Back up any important data from the Target Disk before proceeding.
2. Start Cloning:
   • Ensure the power switch is ON.
   • Press and hold the "CLONE" button for approximately 3 seconds until the progress indicator LEDs (25%, 50%, 75%, 100%) begin to flash.
   • Release the button, then press it again quickly to confirm and start the cloning process.
3. Monitor Progress: The progress indicator LEDs will illuminate sequentially (25%, 50%, 75%, 100%) to show the cloning status.
4. Completion: All four progress LEDs will remain solid when the cloning process is complete.
5. Power Off: Once cloning is finished, turn off the power switch before removing the drives.

Image: A visual guide to the offline clone function, showing a source drive in Slot A and a target drive in Slot B, with an arrow indicating data flow from A to B. Important notes about target drive capacity and data backup are also displayed.

Image: A two-part diagram detailing the "Read & Write Function" and "Offline Clone Function" steps. The Read & Write section shows inserting drives, connecting power, connecting to a computer, and powering on. The Offline Clone section shows inserting drives, pressing the clone button, and the completion status.

Compatibility

Supported Systems:

• Windows
• macOS
• Linux
• Android

Supported Drives:

• 2.5" SATA I/II/III HDDs and SSDs
• 3.5" SATA I/II/III HDDs and SSDs

Image: An illustration demonstrating the wide compatibility of the BENFEI docking station with various operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android) and different types and sizes of SATA HDDs and SSDs (2.5-inch and 3.5-inch).

Maintenance

• Keep the docking station clean and free from dust. Use a soft, dry cloth for cleaning.
• Avoid exposing the device to extreme temperatures, humidity, or direct sunlight.
• Do not attempt to disassemble or repair the device yourself. Refer to qualified service personnel.
• Always turn off the power switch before inserting or removing drives to prevent data corruption or damage to the drives/docking station.

Troubleshooting

Drives not detected by computer:

• Ensure the docking station is powered on and the USB data cable is securely connected to both the docking station and your computer.
• Verify that the drives are properly seated in the bays.
• For new drives, they may need to be initialized and formatted through your operating system's disk management utility (e.g., Disk Management in Windows, Disk Utility in macOS).
• Try connecting the docking station to a different USB port on your computer.
• Test with a different USB data cable if available.

Offline clone fails or does not start:

• Ensure the docking station is NOT connected to a computer during the cloning process.
• Verify that the Source Disk is in Slot A and the Target Disk is in Slot B.
• Confirm that the Target Disk's capacity is equal to or larger than the Source Disk's capacity.
• Ensure there are no bad blocks on the source disk. A damaged source disk can cause cloning to fail.
• Make sure you press and hold the CLONE button for 3 seconds until LEDs flash, then press it again quickly to confirm.

Slow data transfer speeds:

• Ensure you are using a USB 3.0 or higher port on your computer.
• Verify that the black USB-A/C to USB-C data cable is used for data connection, not the white power cable.
• The actual transfer speed can be affected by the performance of your hard drives and your computer's system.

Specifications

Image: The BENFEI docking station displayed with its physical dimensions: 6.3 inches (160 mm) length, 4.4 inches (111 mm) width, and 2.4 inches (62 mm) height, alongside a smartphone and laptop for scale.

Warranty and Support

The BENFEI Hard Drive Docking Station is backed by an exclusive 18-month warranty. For technical support, warranty claims, or any inquiries, please contact BENFEI customer support. Contact information can typically be found on the official BENFEI website or through your purchase platform.

For more information, visit the BENFEI Store on Amazon.