Externally connecting 3.5-inch HDDs to Mac Pro - docks vs cables

[ToTo Man]

Whenever I want to make or new data backup I usually just temporarily install the new drive into an internal bay in my Mac Pro, format it, transfer the data onto it, then remove it again.

However I'd prefer a quicker and easier way to do this, so I've been looking at external HDD docks. I can only find two models that meet my requirements of FW800 interface; the NewerTech Voyager Q, and the Freecom 35296. The Voyager Q has lots of reviews and quite a few of these report failure after a period of time. The Freecom 35296 doesn't have many reviews, but no reports of failure.

I'm not convinced by either model to be honest, but I'm leaning towards the Freecom, unless there are other alternatives? Is it possible to achieve what I want to do WITHOUT a dock and just using cables?

 

[kschendel]

I would expect the $40-ish Inateck KT4004 USB-3 card to work in your MP, I'd be tempted to install that instead of fooling around with Firewire. Then you can use an even cheaper USB-to-sata cable (sans enclosure) and you're set.

I don't know if there is any good way to expose a drive bay via some sort of SATA cable extender, which would be the other "obvious" way to do it.