| Corsair Flash Survivor GT 8GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive
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Conclusion:
The Corsair Flash Survivor GT 8GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive offers a unique design that really makes it stand out from the typical flash drive. While the extreme toughness may seem like overkill to many users, the unique appearance serves as a reminder that the data onboard is being well protected from shock and water.
The Survivor GT isn't all about toughness though, as the rugged appearance conceals some serious high speed performance. The test results show that it is capable of putting up impressive numbers in synthetic benchmarks and in real world use.
If the toughness and performance didn't sell you on the Survivor GT, perhaps one item we really didn't touch on yet might. This product is backed by a 10 year warranty. I can't even think of a computer product that I may still be using from ten years ago, but it is very nice to know that Corsair is willing to stand behind this unit for a decade to come!
I have no concrete complaints about this drive, but one issue is that it goes against the trend of most tech gadgets getting smaller and lighter. The toughness of the Corsair Flash Survivor GT comes at the cost of size and weight, and while not massive, it is much larger than many other drives. For example, if you keep it in the leg pocket of a pair of cargo pants it is heavy enough to generate a bit of momentum and bang into your leg with every step, while most other flash drives might get lost and forgotten in there.
A search of PriceGrabber shows that the size and weight aren't the only costs associated with the toughness of the Survivor GT. This drive is available from a number of online retailers for $129 (US) and up. Looking at a list of other 8GB USB flash drives shows that this is definitely an above average price, and close to double the price of the drive it was tested against. You are obviously paying a premium for the tough features found on the Survivor series, and I imagine the high performance design of the GT version costs a bit more than the base model, too. The 4GB (non-GT) version of the Flash Survivor sells for $59 (US) and up, which is also a good deal more than the typical 4GB drive. The bottom line is that you really have to want the tough features to justify selecting a drive from the Survivor series.
My overall impression of the Corsair Flash Survivor GT 8GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive is quite positive. The key to me is that it offers high speed transfers, and the toughness and unique appearance merely add to its appeal. If the price was around 30% less I could get really excited and consider it highly recommended. The current price seems prohibitive, but for those who are willing to pay extra for the special features (or perhaps for those who manage to find a great deal), the 8GB Survivor GT is still worthy of being "Recommended".
Pros:
» Impressive performance
» Extremely durable construction
» Water resistant... Will survive the inadvertent trip through the washing machine
» 10 year warranty
Cons:
» Relatively big, bulky, and heavy
» More expensive than comparable flash drives
Special thanks to Corsair for providing the Corsair Flash Survivor GT 8GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive to Bigbruin.com for review!
Please drop by the Bigbruin.com Forum and feel free to post any comments or questions.
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