Many memory manufacturers are getting into the USB Flash drive game, but they often end up just debuting products that are more of the same. Not Corsair. The unique Flash Voyager is easy to hold, sports a great look and affords a lot of extra protection for your data.

The Flash Voyager's rubberized casing protects it from falls and is even water resistant--we don't recommend taking it swimming, but it'll keep data safe in an unexpected rain shower. The casing also makes the Voyager easier to grip and less likely to slip out of your hand while reaching for a USB port on the rear of a system tower.

We tested the new 2GB version of the Flash Voyager, which offers enough room to store over 500 MP3. Corsair also has smaller and less expensive versions of the Flash Voyager, depending on your data transfer needs.

Data transfers are up to 19MB/sec for read and 13MB/sec for write, which is faster than many drives in this category. The Flash Voyager is also USB 1.1 compatible, although transfers via USB 1.1 are significantly slower. No additional drivers are needed if you are running an operating system later than Windows 98; simply plug the drive into an available port and start transferring data. Corsair does include a driver CD for Windows 98.

The manufacturer throws in a 24-inch USB extension cable for hard-to-reach USB ports, and with the included lanyard, the stylish blue and black Flash Voyager can be worn around the neck. The rubber cap felt a bit loose after extended use, so we were a bit afraid that we might end up losing it. The 10-year warranty on the Flash Voyager means that Corsair really believes in the ruggedness of the drive's design.

There are smaller Flash memory drives on the market, but if you're looking for a well-designed, durable drive with high capacity and a great transfer rate, Corsair's Flash Voyager is the one for you.


Pros:  Fast, rugged, well designed
Cons:  Cap becomes loose over time

Warranty
10 years limited