keychain usb storage devices

Davegod75

Diamond Member
Jun 27, 2000
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Has anyone bought/used one of these things?

Any recommended brands? I'm looking at the kingston ones but I would like password protection which they don't have. hmm

thanks
 

ChefJoe

Platinum Member
Jan 5, 2002
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Password protection in the description of the device usually means a special driver will need to be loaded.

I have a Soyo cigar pro 128 mb model which is a bit bulky. I have been meaning to PGP protect a part of the drive but never get around to it.... I figure I can have part of it public (with PGP program in it) and part of it PGP encrypted.
 

BlueWeasel

Lifer
Jun 2, 2000
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Originally posted by: ChefJoe
Password protection in the description of the device usually means a special driver will need to be loaded.

I have a Soyo cigar pro 128 mb model which is a bit bulky. I have been meaning to PGP protect a part of the drive but never get around to it.... I figure I can have part of it public (with PGP program in it) and part of it PGP encrypted.

I have the exact same model and love it, with the exception of the removal cover at the tip. The more I continue to use the drive, the cover feels like its getting more loose, and it doesn't take much force for it to come off.
 

Davegod75

Diamond Member
Jun 27, 2000
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So removable caps = no good and the soyo is a bit bulky....ok

any recommendations and which one is the best?
 

BlueWeasel

Lifer
Jun 2, 2000
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Originally posted by: Davegod75
So removable caps = no good and the soyo is a bit bulky....ok

any recommendations and which one is the best?

Well, I would buy another Soyo Cigar drive based on my experience with it. IMHO, the cap design has its flaws, but my drive has held up well over the past few months. I use it daily, and while the cap has started to loosen, its not about to fall off by any means.

Can the Soyo drives even be mounted on a keychain? Chefjoe was right about them being bulky, and too big to think about putting on a keychain. They come with a nylon neck strap similar to those that you use with IDs, security cards, etc.

 

abovewood

Platinum Member
Oct 9, 1999
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I have a Dell 64mb USB keychain drive that I carry with my keys in the pocket everyday.
It works well, and is bootable.
It has the removable cap, which is not a big problem for me.
 

ozone13

Senior member
Apr 5, 2001
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Yep, another vote for Cig@r. I have a 128mb version which is pretty durable. I use pgp to encrypt a "pgp disk" on the drive which also allows me to use the unencrypted part of the disk.

Only think is (like stated before) that its kinda bulky. Wish it was more the Lexar size (very small key drive).
 

ChefJoe

Platinum Member
Jan 5, 2002
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Funny you should talk about keychain. I use the cigar drive as my main keychain fob (the bulky part you search for, I guess....).


I took the little neckstrap bit, uncoupled the plastic coupling part, and then carefully threaded the short/drive-end of that neckstrap through the cigar drive (the memory end, around the screw rather than just through the plastic cover). I then use that threaded part to attach to the keychain.

Wow, this will make no sense to someone without one of these drives.... and only a little to those that do. :beer:

PS: You do want a removable cap though, cause pocket lint will collect in the USB part if you don't have a cap.
 

BlueWeasel

Lifer
Jun 2, 2000
15,944
475
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Originally posted by: ChefJoe
Funny you should talk about keychain. I use the cigar drive as my main keychain fob (the bulky part you search for, I guess....).


I took the little neckstrap bit, uncoupled the plastic coupling part, and then carefully threaded the short/drive-end of that neckstrap through the cigar drive (the memory end, around the screw rather than just through the plastic cover). I then use that threaded part to attach to the keychain.

Wow, this will make no sense to someone without one of these drives.... and only a little to those that do. :beer:

PS: You do want a removable cap though, cause pocket lint will collect in the USB part if you don't have a cap.

Nice idea on modifying the drive to work on a keychain. I don't see how in the world you got the strap around the screw.. :)
 

ChefJoe

Platinum Member
Jan 5, 2002
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Originally posted by: BlueWeasel
Originally posted by: ChefJoe
Funny you should talk about keychain. I use the cigar drive as my main keychain fob (the bulky part you search for, I guess....).


I took the little neckstrap bit, uncoupled the plastic coupling part, and then carefully threaded the short/drive-end of that neckstrap through the cigar drive (the memory end, around the screw rather than just through the plastic cover). I then use that threaded part to attach to the keychain.

Wow, this will make no sense to someone without one of these drives.... and only a little to those that do. :beer:

PS: You do want a removable cap though, cause pocket lint will collect in the USB part if you don't have a cap.

Nice idea on modifying the drive to work on a keychain. I don't see how in the world you got the strap around the screw.. :)

Very carefully... with paperclips bent as little hooks.

 

FatJackSprat

Senior member
May 16, 2003
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I'm sorry I can't tell you the brand I have, it came from TigerDirect.

Anyway, it's not flat on the sides like the Kingston one you linked but is rounded. Because of that it won't fit in my laptop when I have the power cord plugged in because the cord is too close to the usb port. I also had some problems with certain computers in the school computer labs (I think they were dells) because the usb ports were set back in the case and close to the edge. The plastic edge kept it from going in straight and it wouldn't work. At least look for a straight edged one.
 

ozone13

Senior member
Apr 5, 2001
498
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Originally posted by: ChefJoe
Funny you should talk about keychain. I use the cigar drive as my main keychain fob (the bulky part you search for, I guess....).


I took the little neckstrap bit, uncoupled the plastic coupling part, and then carefully threaded the short/drive-end of that neckstrap through the cigar drive (the memory end, around the screw rather than just through the plastic cover). I then use that threaded part to attach to the keychain.

Wow, this will make no sense to someone without one of these drives.... and only a little to those that do. :beer:

LOL. Thats exactly what I did! I took a paperclip, folded the end like a hook and fed it into the cigar and pulled the black thread through. Haven't hooked it up to my keychain, however....I don't really trust the thread holding over wear and tear.
 

Cat13

Golden Member
Nov 14, 1999
1,108
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I have a 128meg Lexar Jumpdrive and I use it everyday. No problems at all.