iPad/iPhone External Memory - a cautionary tale

I started a thread some time ago about using USB sticks with iPad/iPhone.  I'd post this as a followup, but can't remember what I called the thread!

As background, I wanted to use one of the 'new' USB memory sticks with USB and Lightning connectors to store my own PDFs from scans of purchased Sheet Music, and also to view these and DVD image files (of guitar teaching type) on the iPad.

I purchased a GMyles 64GB (Apple approved) USB/Lightning stick, and initially all seemed well, although I was disappointed that I had to go back to the Amazon website to find out which 'app' to download to actually make it work (no instructions with the USB stick).   However, on further investigation, it turned out that although I could access files in the root directory of the stick (using apps "U-Drive"), when I tried putting the files into subdirectories for ease of location, then U-Drive would find the directories, but not show the contents.

To play the DVD images, I was going to use the VLC app (freeware), but discovered that on my iMac, I had to double click the DVD image, then drag the Video TS file onto VLC to watch it.   Obviously couldn't do this using u-drive, and using VLC directly from the iPad 'desktop', files on the USB stick were not visible.

I had a bit of a temper tantrum at that point, and bought a WD MyPassport 1TB wireless hard drive to serve my needs.  This works fine with directories/subdirectories etc, but still hasn't solved my problem of playing DVD image files.

The point of this post?

Well ... yesterday I decided to use the USB/Lightning drive to copy off 50 GB of FLAC files (in directories) to transfer to my off-site backup (my youngest son-in-law's hard drive).   Neither my iMac or SWMBO's MacBook Pro would mount the USB/Lightning Drive, although it's operating light did come on, and the USB stick got rather hot.   I've sent it back to Amazon for a refund (£41.86).   So, the damn thing failed after less than 2 months very limited use.

Tried the iPad + wireless hard drive at my guitar lesson yesterday.  Worked fine, but I think the display is possibly a little bit small, so I may have to persuade SWTSOTBO (sic) to let me buy a 2 in 1 laptop of the Windows variety, with at least a 15.6 inch screen for this purpose.   May be a little difficult, as I have recently bought a Naim NAP 300 DR (excellent, BTW, although still 'running in').

Lesson to be learned is - all electronic components eventually fail.  Some earlier than others.   Just look on the Amazon reviews for hard drives etc to see this.  My review of the USB/Lightning stick on Amazon is the first one to report failure of this particular device, although other makes have reported failures. I have not asked for a replacement as I no longer need it.