Hi notflashbulb!
I have been researching the subject quite a bit too recently, and I had the same problem as you are having since I am in Canada too. I finally got my eSata ExpressCard from Newegg Canada (
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16839228002). the PPA Int'l eSata ExpressCard uses the JMicron chipset and is recognized automatically by the Macbook Pro. However, I am having a problem with my setup. My external drive is not recognized (read mounted) automatically. The only way I got it mounting is buy plugging it through the USB port, umounting it and plugging it through the eSata port straightaway. My drive (a Seagate 1TB drive in a Vantec NexStar 3 enclosure) goes to sleep automatically when it is not in use. Plugging the drive through the eSata port does not activate it, but plugging it through the USB port does. It is as if I needed to wake up the drive before connecting it in order for it to be recognized by the eSata ExpressCard. I'm not sure if it is a Seagate feature or a Vantec feature that puts the drive to sleep when it is not in use. Anyhow, in my case, it is not a feature but a problem.
Also, my Macboo Pro froze once with the external drive mounted. I'll have to see if this happens again. Other people reported having no problem with the PPA Int'l eSata ExpressCard (Part 1172).
You can find a list of eSata ExpressCards and their chipsets here:
http://www.beauchamp.me/techno/mac/booting-macbook-from-external-esata-drive/
Cheers!
JF
P.S. Actually, my drive did mount automatically once, but it never happened again, and I don't know why.
Message was edited by: velum