Best USB Flash Drive?

[PrinceXizor]

I've been procrastinating on a flash drive for some time and I figure its time to get one.

I'm probably looking at 1-2GB. What are some features to look for and what seems to be the consensus choice(s) among the tech populace?

Thanks!

P-X

 

[lobbyone]

Fast read/write speeds. I have a PQI 1GB USB and it read/writes so slooow, and compared to my friends OCZ Rally, it was blazing.

 

[Imyourzero]

I read recently in a Readyboost comparison that the PNY Attache drives turn some surprisingly good numbers...but OCZ is probably the speed king. I personally own a 2GB Transcend drive that I purchased off of the forums and I've been extremely happy with its speeds. It's a lot faster than the 2GB Corsair Voyager drive that I purchased around the same time (I did like the rubberized coating of the Corsair, though).

 

[PrinceXizor]

To clarify, not at all worried about readyboost. Just a speedy, secure, well-made flash drive. It seems Kingston Travellers, PNY Attache's and SanDisk Cruzer Micro's and Titantiums get good pub (along with the OCZ's). I just wondered if there was a consensus bang for buck drive out there right now (like the C2D series or the Ti4200 back in the day).

P-X

 

[simms]

I like my Kingstons. They work well, but FWIW, I broke the cap on one of them so it became loose. Both still work fine though.

 

[bruceb]

I like the SanDisk MicroCruzer ... very good ... also Sandisk just came out with a
version of the Thumb Drive that allows you to use your Own SD or MicroSD Card in it

They call it a 5 in 1 Reader, but there is no reason you can't Write to the cards

SanDisk MobileMate? SD? Plus 5-in-1 Reader
SDDR-103

http://sandisk.com/Products/Item(1220)-...isk_MobileMate_SD_Plus5in1_Reader.aspx

It works with these types of memory cards:

The SanDisk MobileMate SD Plus 5-in-1 Reader works with the following memory cards, without the need for an adapter:
- SD?
- miniSD?
- MultiMediaCard?
- RS-MMC?
- MMC mobile, microSD?, TransFlash?

 

[Imyourzero]

Originally posted by: PrinceXizor
To clarify, not at all worried about readyboost. Just a speedy, secure, well-made flash drive.

I didn't think you were, I only mentioned the comparison because they listed the speeds of various drives. A quick drive in a Readyboost test will probably be speedy in day to day usage as well.

 

[PrinceXizor]

Ah, makes sense.

I see RadioShack has 1GB Cruzer Micro's for $20 with free ship to store. Pretty tempted by those. I also have a $25 off of $50 or more gift certificate at Staples. But I don't want to overpay for a drive just to use my certificate.

P-X

 

[Imyourzero]

Did you see this? It's a blazing fast drive and a good deal if you're willing to wait on the rebate...

 

[bruceb]

It shows as $29.99 with a $15 mail in rebate for a total of$14.99 plus postage
and that $4.99 shipping is for 3 day delivery ... ground svc would be fine ..
who cares if it takes 1 more day or so to arrive ? ?

Note to buyers: If you live in NJ NewEgg charges sales tax due to them
having a warehouse in that state

 

[yh125d]

I have a 2gb Kingston data traveler and I love it. nice and small, yet sturdy. Fast write times too

 

[PrinceXizor]

What are some good sites that test this kind of stuff appropriately (not missing things like read vs. write, encyrption, etc.).

The OCZ Rally looks like a good deal as well as the Cruzer Micro and PNY Attache.

SanDisk has the U3 thing which looks pretty interesting and I've read up a little on it. One question I have though, if a program footprint was small enough, you could always load it onto a flash drive and run it like normal, but does this run into restrictions on the "host" computer. i.e. if a computer locks down running from a USB drive than a U3 based system is the only way to run stuff, correct?

P-X

 

[rudder]

I've got a 2gb corsair and am pretty happy with its performance. Corsair is coming out witha much faster 4gb and 8gb version.









i

 

[adairusmc]

OCZ Rally 2

My corsair 16gig flash drive is pretty quick too.

 

[StopSign]

OCZ Rally is top notch in both build quality and performance. You don't even have to consider anything else (except Corsair Flash Voyagers or the like) because they can't compare.

Kingston DataTraveler: Had one before. It's not that good.
Sandisk __insert Cruzer name__: Seen them. Small and compact, but otherwise nothing else to write home about.
PNY Attache: Are these what I think they are? The ones with clear plastic? If so, they're garbage.
Lexar: Do then still make flash drives...?
Memorex: Don't even consider.
Corsair Flash Voyager: This is the one with a rubber grip. It has very good speed but seems a bit bulky. I think it costs more than the OCZ Rally as well.

To some of the people posting above: just because a drive works and you haven't had problems with it doesn't mean it's good. It means it passed QA at the manufacturing plant.

 

[yh125d]

Originally posted by: PrinceXizor
What are some good sites that test this kind of stuff appropriately (not missing things like read vs. write, encyrption, etc.).

The OCZ Rally looks like a good deal as well as the Cruzer Micro and PNY Attache.

SanDisk has the U3 thing which looks pretty interesting and I've read up a little on it. One question I have though, if a program footprint was small enough, you could always load it onto a flash drive and run it like normal, but does this run into restrictions on the "host" computer. i.e. if a computer locks down running from a USB drive than a U3 based system is the only way to run stuff, correct?

P-X

as long as it will fit on the drive, it oughta work. I have halo on mine and it works fine. only takes 1.4 gigs too

 

[Roguestar]

The solid rubber case is a godsend for those of us who put our precious USB drives through a lot of abuse. Too many times have I seen flimy plastic-shelled USB drives wrapped with sticking tape to keep them together .

 

[StopSign]

Originally posted by: Roguestar
The solid rubber case is a godsend for those of us who put our precious USB drives through a lot of abuse. Too many times have I seen flimy plastic-shelled USB drives wrapped with sticking tape to keep them together .

I cracked open a Kingston DataTraveler, took the "drive" out and coated it with about 20 layers of contact cement. I then wrapped it with about 2 mm of fishing line and coated it with another 10 or so layers of contact cement. Needless to say, it was fairly durable and waterproof.

Then a friend came over and took it because she thought it was cool. She is no longer my friend.

 

[PrinceXizor]

nm

apparently I can't read either...lol!

P-X

 

[dderolph]

I bought a PNY 1GB flash drive, a U3 Smart drive, at Staples on 1/30/07 for $14.98 plus tax. At that time, a $10 rebate was also in effect. I applied for the rebate online; I found that quite easy to do. The rebate offer has now expired but that price is still available.

The drive is here: PNY 1GB Attache USB Flash Drive

Note that it U3 is not shown on the web page, but it does, indeed, have U3.

After reading some comments in this thread about speed, I decided to do a test. I copied my entire My Pictures folder (191MB) to the flash drive. It took almost exactly 2 min. 30 seconds. I don't know how this compares to other flash drives.

 

[imported_AndyT]

Originally posted by: StopSign
OCZ Rally is top notch in both build quality and performance. You don't even have to consider anything else (except Corsair Flash Voyagers or the like) because they can't compare.

And......you get the OCZ support staff to help you with any questions or problems you might run into. Our RMA service is the fastest and easiest going.

Who loves you baby!

 

[StopSign]

Originally posted by: dderolph
After reading some comments in this thread about speed, I decided to do a test. I copied my entire My Pictures folder (191MB) to the flash drive. It took almost exactly 2 min. 30 seconds. I don't know how this compares to other flash drives.

My Rally 2 would copy that in under 20 seconds.

 

[Jester666]

I bought an ATP Toughdrive based on this comparison. I do not own an OCZ rally so I can't compare directly, but the ATP drive is awesome.

 

[iluvdeal]

I have a Kingston Data Taveler and Simpletech 2gb USB flash drives, both are pretty slow compared to my Sandisk mini cruzer. They were both really cheap after rebates so I can live with it. BTW, apparently prices are set to plummet this year on flash drives as we are already seeing.