512MB USB2.0 Seitec Flash Pen Drive Reviewed

[eva2000]

USB flash drives and devices are popping up everywhere these days. I purchased a Seitec 512MB USB2.0 Flash Pen drive in a clearance sale for AUD$199 via Pluscorp.com.au (I think it's Seitec brand :) ). This is Seitec's latest model so new in fact they don't even have it up on their web site yet according to Nigel at Pluscorp.com.au. Only 100 units of these have made there way down to Australia and I was lucky get one of the last three left in stock - and what a find!.

Features:

- USB2.0/1.1
- LED indicator when in use
- Black rubber enclosure
- Supports Win98/ME/2K/XP, Mac OS9.X, Linux Kernel 2.4.x operating systems or higher
- Write/Delete protection switch
- Hot Plug & Play
- Durable solid state storage retention for at least 10yrs
- No external power required
- USB extension cable
- Detachable neck strap
- User Manual and mini 8cm cd drive disk

1. Pictures
2. Benchmarks

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1. Pictures (click for larger version)

http://www.fileshosts.com/disks/flashdisks/seitec/usb2/512/images/small/512mb_USB2_01_thumb.jpg (http://www.fileshosts.com/disks/flashdisks/seitec/usb2/512/images/small/512mb_USB2_01.html) http://www.fileshosts.com/disks/flashdisks/seitec/usb2/512/images/small/512mb_USB2_02_thumb.jpg (http://www.fileshosts.com/disks/flashdisks/seitec/usb2/512/images/small/512mb_USB2_02.html)

http://www.fileshosts.com/disks/flashdisks/seitec/usb2/512/images/small/512mb_USB2_08_thumb.jpg (http://www.fileshosts.com/disks/flashdisks/seitec/usb2/512/images/small/512mb_USB2_08.html) http://www.fileshosts.com/disks/flashdisks/seitec/usb2/512/images/small/512mb_USB2_15_thumb.jpg (http://www.fileshosts.com/disks/flashdisks/seitec/usb2/512/images/small/512mb_USB2_15.html)

to the right is Sandisk Cruzer USB1.1 SD card flash drive
http://www.fileshosts.com/disks/flashdisks/seitec/usb2/512/images/small/512mb_USB2_21_thumb.jpg (http://www.fileshosts.com/disks/flashdisks/seitec/usb2/512/images/small/512mb_USB2_21.html)

http://www.fileshosts.com/disks/flashdisks/seitec/usb2/512/images/small/512mb_USB2_30_thumb.jpg (http://www.fileshosts.com/disks/flashdisks/seitec/usb2/512/images/small/512mb_USB2_30.html) http://www.fileshosts.com/disks/flashdisks/seitec/usb2/512/images/small/512mb_USB2_32_thumb.jpg (http://www.fileshosts.com/disks/flashdisks/seitec/usb2/512/images/small/512mb_USB2_32.html)

[eva2000]

2. Benchmarks

Sytem:

2.4B
Asus P4G8X
4x 512MB Corsair XMS3200C2
128MB Gigabyte Radeon II 9000PRO
4x 80GB WD 8mb 800JB (2 hdd in raid 0 for OS)
1x 80GB Seagate Barracuda IV
1x 120GB WD 8mb 1200JB
Highpoint RocketRaid404 3.02 bios/drives
Promise ATA100 controller
16x LiteON DVD-ROM 165H
Pioneer DVR-A05 DVD Burner
Leadtek Winfast 2000XP Deluxe TV Tuner/capture card/FM Radio
Lian Li PC60USB
550W Antec PSU
WinXP PRO SP1

Hardware Profile
http://www.fileshosts.com/disks/flashdisks/seitec/usb2/512/hardware.jpg

Sandra MAX3 Removable Storage/Flash benchmark
http://www.fileshosts.com/disks/flashdisks/seitec/usb2/512/max3_flashbench.jpg

Sandra MAX3 Filesystem
http://www.fileshosts.com/disks/flashdisks/seitec/usb2/512/filesystem.jpg

HD Tach v2.61
http://www.fileshosts.com/disks/flashdisks/seitec/usb2/512/hdtach.jpg

Winbench99 2.0
http://www.fileshosts.com/disks/flashdisks/seitec/usb2/512/winbench99_1.jpg

ATTO 32MB
http://www.fileshosts.com/disks/flashdisks/seitec/usb2/512/atto_32mb.jpg

Drivebench 32MB
http://www.fileshosts.com/disks/flashdisks/seitec/usb2/512/drivebench_32.jpg

Drivebench 64MB
http://www.fileshosts.com/disks/flashdisks/seitec/usb2/512/drivebench_64.jpg

Drivebench 128MB
http://www.fileshosts.com/disks/flashdisks/seitec/usb2/512/drivebench_128.jpg

You can see gallery of pictures via the 2 links below
- Small images (http://www.fileshosts.com/disks/flashdisks/seitec/usb2/512/images/small/)
- Larger images (http://www.fileshosts.com/disks/flashdisks/seitec/usb2/512/images/big/)

[Brian]

Thanks for the review! I've been looking at getting one of these drives for a while. I wanted to get one of the Mushkin Flashkin drives advertised HERE (http://www.mushkin.com/epages/Mushkin.storefront/3f65f5c30e81be24273fc0a8010506af/Product/View/991055) but they seem to have a problem with the LED being on all the time, not just while in use.

I'll have to see if I can find any Seitec drives available in Canada.

Thanks again!

:beer:

[eva2000]

late on a reply but thanks Brian.. hope you can find these USB drives... don't seem to be widely available

[Dr.2K]

USB Pen drives have in fact been available for quite awhile now. Well at least in the U.S. it has :p. I have had a 256MB Bus drive for about 8 months I think, could be longer. I luv this thing but mine is a bit small in capacity now so i am looking into a 512MB or a 1gig. But I like the one you got there eva, looks very sleek :)

[eva2000]

Originally posted by Dr.2K
USB Pen drives have in fact been available for quite awhile now. Well at least in the U.S. it has :p. I have had a 256MB Bus drive for about 8 months I think, could be longer. I luv this thing but mine is a bit small in capacity now so i am looking into a 512MB or a 1gig. But I like the one you got there eva, looks very sleek :) yeah i meant my particular brand/model doesn't seem to be widely available heh

i've tried alot of usb pen drives and read a few reviews, some spec'd to USB2.0 have really bad performance 1/4 of the above drive's transfer speed!

i've actually filled all but 10MB of my 512MB pen drive LOL

love to see in future a 10-40GB sized pen drive with floppy and cd rom image emulation hehe

[Dr.2K]

Originally posted by eva2000
yeah i meant my particular brand/model doesn't seem to be widely available heh

i've tried alot of usb pen drives and read a few reviews, some spec'd to USB2.0 have really bad performance 1/4 of the above drive's transfer speed!

i've actually filled all but 10MB of my 512MB pen drive LOL

love to see in future a 10-40GB sized pen drive with floppy and cd rom image emulation hehe

Aw I see, hehe. Well the highest capacity I have seen was 2 gigs in a usb2.0. But MEGA bucks :( lol. I wonder if they sell the brand you have over here?