Thunderbolt Via USB 3.1 Gen 2

[Nate Dogg]

SO I screwed up.. bought an HD Native Thunderbolt thinking I could get an ExpressCard to add Thunderbolt to my 2yo laptop.. seems not to be the case. I was able to find an ExpressCard USB 3.1 Gen 2 adapter tho and I'm getting indications that such a controller, since the cable is compatible, "will support Thunderbolt devices just without Thunderbolt 3 features" ... well the HD Native is Thunderbolt 2(1?) and I don't need the DisplayPort capabilities so.. if the data channels are compatible.. wondering if anyone has tried this? Is it possible I'll be able to access the interface this way?

I don't want to spend the few hundred on the ExpressCard and TB3->TB2 adapter if someone can definitively tell me it won't work. I also don't want to buy a new machine right now (much more $$ than that) unless that's my only option.. ?? Thanks