SanDisk Cruzer Contour 8 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive SDCZ8-8192-A75
by SanDisk
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Our Price: $57.99 Availability: Usually ships in 3-5 weeks Category: CE See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of SanDisk Cruzer Contour 8 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive SDCZ8-8192-A75
Customer Review: Flash drive for backup
Summary: 5 Stars
I found it easy to use and a good way to back up my documents.Customer Review: Works with Windows Vista
Summary: 4 Stars
Available in 4 GB and 8 GB capacities, this U3 Smart device makes the concept of portable applications a reality. Yes, you can carry your own configured programs in your pocket and run them on someone else's computer. Windows Vista users know about ReadyBoost, which enables the PC to use the Flash drive as additional RAM. For laptop owners, this is perhaps the cheapest way to get a RAM upgrade.
Available in 4 GB and 8 GB capacities, the SanDisk Cruzer Contour makes the concept of portable applications a reality. Yes, you can carry your own configured programs in your pocket and run them on someone else's computer.
But why would anyone need an 8 GB drive? The answer is partly U3 and partly our desire to make our data portable. It is certified for Microsoft Windows 2000, XP, Vista and Mac OS X (The device comes with a "Works with Windows Vista" label, not a "Certified for Windows Vista" one.)
I have already lost one cap from my SanDisk Cruzer Micro drive, but this won't be an issue with the Cruzer Contour, as it has a sliding cover that hides the USB connector when not in use. It features ReadyBoost and includes the following U3 compatible programs:
* CruzerSync - Desktop synchronisation tool
* SignupShield - Password manager
* Skype - PC to PC video and audio calls
* Avast - Antivirus
* HP Photosmart - Digital photo organiser/editor
* Sudoku/Mahjong - Games
More realistically, you could take your email, browser bookmarks, and many large files with you. The drive synchronises with your PC when connected but it will not leave any trace on any other PC. The supplied programs and the U3 software took up 110 MB, leaving 7.52 GB free. The file system uses FAT32, which makes it compatible with older PCs. You can remove U3 completely, but then the U3 programs won't work and you will have a dumb 8 GB storage device.
In Use:
There is no lanyard provided - indeed the drive has no hook, but it comes with a leather pouch with a hook for the lanyard or keychain. It is a snug fit, so the drive is not going to slide out.
Now, sliding the Cruzer Contour's cover off and on was not as smooth as I expected. The USB connector's dust protection flap is folded when packed, and has to hinge outwards as you slide it. After several uses, it still takes some effort to get the USB connector to slide out and it is equally tricky to close it. Perhaps this will settle down after regular use.
The 8 GB Cruzer Contour can hold up to:
* 19,200 photos
* 1920 tunes
* 2560 minutes of MP4 QCIF videos
In theory, that is just under 43 hours of movies! I suspect that you could watch more movies on a battery-powered laptop using a USB drive than by running them from its hard disk or by playing the DVD drive.
Compatibility:
You will need at least Windows 2000 SP4, Windows XP or Windows Vista to use U3. For storage only, you can use Windows 2000 or later, Mac OSX+, or Linux. The PC must have a high speed USB 2.0 port, which will be found on most PCs bought in the past six years.
Recommendation:
You pay a bit more for the U3 and ReadyBoost functionality but it is worth it for the convenience of having customised programs and extra RAM in your pocket.
Customer Review: FAST data rate, but ergonomically awkward
Summary: 4 Stars
I just bought one of these to replace my older 2gb Sandisk Cruzer Mini.
THE GOOD:
* SPEED: I was extremely pleased with the much faster transfer rate, which is around 5x faster than the older 2gb model I had, from the same manufacturer. I'm seeing transfer rates of no less than 1-2 min per gb, which is pretty spiffy (vs 5-10 mins for my old one).
* CAPACITY: We are FINALLY starting to see the real potential of flash memory - enough speed and storage to elipse the need to burn DVDs to transport files. I cant wait until capacity rises into the 100gb range ... enough to transport one's entire collection of MP3's, and also be able to backup entire drives, rather than just select swaths.
* SOLID: This USB drive has a very solid feel.
SLIGHTLY ANNOYING:
* THUMB SLIDE: Although the unit feels solid and durable, I have to admit that new thumb slide design makes it heavier, slightly bulkier, and the operation of the slider is a little awkward and takes some getting used to. Also, the built-in end-cover sometimes doesn't consistently close properly, and you have to repeat the 4 step open & close motion. Last, the metallic 'shell' is very slippery - they could have textured it a bit to solve that.
* NO LANYARD: Instead of having a loop with an included lanyard, the newer unit now has a leather case with an eye-clip ... but no lanyard comes with it by default. Not only that, but the old lanyard is not compatible with the new cruzer, because it lacks a ring for the eyehook to connect to.
* DRIVE LIGHT: On the older unit, there was a green light in the end of the unit that lit when it was powered, flashed during data transfer, and then extinguished when it was safe to remove. It worked well, and was easily viewable from all angles. The newer unit has the word "cruzer" (on the top side of the drive) that glows blue when powered, and blanks when soft-ejected. The annoying thing is that because the light is on only 1 side, it can only be seen from one direction ... and it doesn't seem to flash during data transfers. So yes, the newer light is very pretty, but it's not nearly as useful as the light on the older unit.
* DRIVERS & PARTITION: When plugged in for the first time, this unit requires you to reboot your PC after the drivers are uploaded ... which can be inconvenient and annoying if you want to use it on a public PC (ex: local library), or be able to quickly port files to someone else's PC. Also, U3 software is maintained in a separate partition, causing the USB to appear as 2 drives instead of one - which can be confusing to light users who are used to a more simple plug and go interface. Yes, the software inferface that comes with this is slick, and it's fine if you're a saavy users, but it's probably overkill for most light users.
* PARTITION: This USB has a separate partition for it's
Bottom line: As of this writing, this is one of the fastest USB drives on the market, and on that basis alone, it gets 4 stars from me, and a good recommendation. It didn't get the full 5 because of the slightly clutzy thumbslide, poorly positioned light, and lack of a lanyard.
Customer Review: Great flash drive, but...
Summary: 4 Stars
The Sandisk Cruzer Contour is a great flash drive, in my opinion. It's reliable, fast, and sleek-looking. Some people dislike the mechanism to open the drive, but it seems OK to me. It's easy to use and seems sturdy. Sure, it could be more prone to breaking in the long run, but so would any other drive that has a sliding USB connector.
I don't care for the U3 software, and never have. Instead, I get PortableApps. This flash drive runs the apps much better and faster than my old one.
The only problem I've had is that the flash drive is a tad larger than my old one. This is an issue, seeing as my older model Dell computer has weird front USB ports. Due to the odd configuration, I cannot use the flash drive when plugged directly into those ports; the connection is not reliable as the drive doesn't fit well in the ports. Instead, I need to use a small USB extension cord, which is a little tight on the flash drive. In turn, it feels like I'll pull the drive apart when trying to disconnect it from the cord. I'm working on a permanent solution still, but it's not the drive's fault, really.
Customer Review: With some quirks, but cool.
Summary: 4 Stars
I just got my Contour in the mail today, and I'm already impressed, more than I was before. First of all, the design is really nice, with a good metal shell on the bottom (most of the drive is plastic though). The U3 system still has some quirks (shadow instances that prevent easy plug-and-play use of the drive), but is pretty good still since my first U3 drive. I have yet to see the full capabilities of ReadyBoost, but it looks interesting, and at least I can have 4 GB of 'extra RAM' and still have plenty of space for other stuff.
One big quibble I have with it is the opening/closing mechanism is kind of annoying. The idea seems simple enough, but I was under the impression that there was a spring that helped to ease the process; nope...not so much. Maybe that's something that should be added to alleviate the frustrations of many Contour owners.