Corsair 8GB Flash Voyager USB 2.0 Flash Drive CMFUSB2.0-8GB
by CORSAIR VALUE SELECT
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List Price: Our Price: $8.99 You Save: $6.00 (40%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Category: CE See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Corsair 8GB Flash Voyager USB 2.0 Flash Drive CMFUSB2.0-8GB
Customer Review: I love this thing!
Summary: 4 Stars
This is my first thumb drive, and now that I experienced one I cant believe it took me this long to purchase one! I originally was going to get the GT version but I couldn't justify paying almost double the price to have my files transfered a few seconds quicker.
I currently use Vista with 2GB's of 1066mhz memory so have no intentions on using this for Vistas ReadyBoost feature. I do however love the 8GB size on this drive, and the write speeds are great. I don't know if this is a Vista or Fat32 issue but I read reports of this drive getting 15MB/s+ write speeds. When I transfer 700mb files to the drive I only average 5-7Mb/s. I think if you format the drive as NTFS it may increase the write speeds by a good deal but I chose not to for reasons listed below.
You can choose to format this drive in either Fat,Fat32,or NTFS. Originally I intended to do the NTFS route for the added features like quicker read/write speeds and the ability to transfer files over 4GB in one shot. The only reason I didn't was because I don't think my DVD player will recognize an NTFS format. Also when you format this drive you can choose the option to "optimize for performance" opposed to "optimize for quick removal". This is great, but just remember to use the "Safely Remove hardware" icon in your system tray to avoid losing any data.
For movie watching this thing is just fantastic. It literally pays itself off in savings from not having to buy so many blank DVD-R's. This drive is great for disposable movies you only watch once then can erase. If you like the movie than you have the option of burning it.
This drive has also served me well when it comes to computer files as well. I've used it numerous times already to flash my BIOS, make a bootable copy of certain programs, and to transfer files to another computer. Its just an all around great device to have. Now that prices are so low on these things I cant think of a single reaon not to pick one up. I also use Corsair desktop memory (Dominator sticks) and can say from previous experiance that they are a great company. Their warranty is great and they even provide a fantastic website that is extremely helpful in answering questions about their products.
This stick will come preloaded with a program that allows you to encrypt your files. This is great for any personal data but I chose to remove it since I have no need to hide my files. It also comes with a great USB dongle to make for an easier connection to cramped USB slots on your computer. Being that this drive is fatter than most the dongle comes in handy.
One complaint people seem to have is the fear of losing the cap since its not connected to the device. A little precaution should keep you from misplacing it, but if you do Corsair will send you a new one free of charge. So if your on the fence on buying a thumb drive I say to you this is a great option. For the price to performance ratio this drive can't be beat!
Customer Review: It Doesn't Suck?
Summary: 1 Stars
Reviewing a flash drive should be like reviewing something as simple as a vacuum cleaner. The only way you have a problem with a flash drive is if doesn't store data. The only way you have a problem with a vacuum cleaner is if it doesn't suck. Well, for me the Corsair 8GB Flash Voyager is a vacuum cleaner that doesn't suck.
I already own a Seagate Pocket Drive Seagate 6GB Pocket Drive USB 2.0 External Hard Drive ( ST660211URK ) and a Seagate portable drive Seagate 60GB USB 2.0 Portable External Hard Drive ( ST960801U2-RK ) . Those have both served me quite well and they work like...well...vacuum cleaners; they do exactly what they're supposed to do, and I've had them both for over a year.
I recently cleaned up my PC and laptop hard drives, and I wanted to start backing up my newly cleaned up drives to a new device, and keep my old stuff in storage on my Seagates. So I tried the Corsair 8GB Flash Voyager.
Unfortunately, with technology, I give a device one chance to work. Whether it's a laptop, PC, Playstation...whatever. If it doesn't go the first time, there's a slim to none chance that my next try will be with the same brand. And that's what happened with the Corsair 8GB Flash Voyager.
A flash drive should be plug and play; indeed the Corsair 8GB Flash Voyager touted that it was "true" plug and play. It should be durable; it indeed seemed quite durable. It should be fast; oh, it was fast alright. I plugged it in, it started transferring files, and after about two seconds it stopped and I got a Window about "parameter" issues. So I tried again after a reboot, and it actually seemed to work better...for a about 4 additional seconds until I got a Window telling me that "the files that I was attempting to transfer could not be found." Believe me...the files are there and I transferred them to my Seagate just to make sure there wasn't some kind of data corruption.
So on a voyage the Voyager will go...back to Amazon (whose return process was as simple as ever). The problem occurred with my Dell Latitude Laptop, so maybe the Voyager just doesn't like Dell. There are other favorable reviews here about the Voyager. Therefore, it might be worth weighing my seemingly lone bad experience with the Voyager against some more of the positive ones, and perhaps take a chance that you'll get one that doesn't suck.
As for me...I 've been kicked in the rear by that old axiom "why fix something if it's not broken." The Seagates weren't broken. I'll be looking at another Seagate.
Customer Review: Avoid like the plague
Summary: 1 Stars
Three reasons why I will not touch any Corsair USB memory drive again:
1) As the other reviewer pointed out (4 gig) "The wide, thick rubber gasket surround the USB connector limits how far you can insert the connector into even lightly recessed USB receptacles". I thought it was just mine! There is not enough metal exposed so it means the drive frequently disconnects, loosing valuable data in the process and crashing the PC often.
2) Right from day one, the drive would show up as a USB Hub (I think it uses this to control 4 chips inside instead of a single chip). But this would at least 50% of the time cause any other device to be inserted into the same USB port on removing the memory drive not to be recognized - only a reboot would fix this. I tried this on many laptops/desktops and got the same results.
3) I contacted Corsair who said to ship it back to them even though the local retailer would take it back. Since I was out the country I told them I was uncomfortable posting it internationally (back to them in Fremont, CA) using ordinary post (courier would have been 50% of what I could buy it new for). But they pushed for this without offering to pay for the post so ordinary post it went. They now claim not to have received it and now unlike the other reviewer I do not even have own a $100 paper weight.
I'd like to say a lot of other things, but fear that Amazon will not print it, so lets leave it at the simple facts above. I don't think I have been so disgusted at a company of peripherals as much as Corsair. And for Corsair to validate what I have said is true, my RMA Number: R153005
Customer Review: Hey, positive reviewers! Thanks a bunch for making me waste my money!
Summary: 1 Stars
We all know that reviewing a flash drive is extremely easy. Anyone can do it. The USB key is a wonderful device, you can store almost anything on it If your DVD player is blessed with a USB port like mine is, you can watch screeners of movies from the comfort of your couch, like I have done several times.
I wrecked my other one by hitting it against my door while moving my laptop, so I picked this one up from The Source. I attempted to move a few files to it one I ripped it out of the packaging, and yes it loaded, yes it was fast. 8 Gigabytes, that automatically means it's a good device, right?
Wrong.
I suffered the same issues as Sky. My first file was about 400MB, and so for 5 seconds it transferred. And then it stopped, with some window popping up blabbing about "Parameters". But it's 8GB, Parameters shouldn't matter. So I unplugged it, and plugged it in again. Same issue. I restarted my laptop, and then tried one more time, with some window popping up saying "the file I was trying to locate could not be found".
Huh? First off I wasn't trying to locate anything, I was trying to move stuff. And it wasn't just this time. I plugged it in on different computers. Same problem.
Overall, do not waste your money on this crap. I am off to find that one my mom brought home from work that I wrecked. That was the most trustworthy USB key ever. This one defeats the purpose of USB keys.
Customer Review: EXCEEDING PLEASED with all aspects associated with my new Corsair
Summary: 5 Stars
My first USB flash drive EXCEEDED my expectations because:
- after a $20 rebate, it cost less than $18;
- to date, customer service has been excellent; and
- copying a 3 GB .dvr-ms file, using Windows Explorer to CUT and PASTE, write at 8.1 MB/s, read at 25.5 MB/s. Both over 180% higher than Corsair's spec'd average sequential write and read speeds.
I purchased this drive to copy files larger than 4 GB, and had no problems copying multiple smaller files, less than 4 GB, to its maximum FAT32 capacity. But when I tried to copy a 6.5 GB file, I got the error: "The disk in the destination drive is full. Insert a new disk to continue."
For FAT32 drives, I learned that the maximum transferrable file size is limited to 4 GB. To copy larger files, they must be formatted to NTFS (which are not hot-swappable). However, using Device Manager, you can safely remove it from the USB port - a hassle for some, but a SOLUTION for me!!
After purchasing a 2nd Corsair 8GB drive, with rebate, less than $7 (not from Amazon), I am NOT as happy. Using the same tests, my 2nd Corsair 8GB is over 25% SLOWER.
For additional insight and details, refer to my community post found here... [...]