20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
Good Buy
I've used Sandisk drives for years and have never had one fail. My other drives are mico drives (1, 2, & 4 GB)and they all have held up to multiple runs through our washer and dryer, because I often forget them in my pocket. I purchased this new drive for additional storage and daily use. The backup software was a consideration, but it is only for use with the U3...
68 of 74 people found the following review helpful:
A couple of things they don't tell you...
If you buy this drive thinking you don't need to subscribe to the Internet backup service and still have the other listed features of a U3 device with AES hardware encryption - you'll be wrong.
- If you don't subscribe you get hounded by a constant reminder running in your computer's system tray while the drive is plugged in.
- If you want to remove the...
This review is from: SanDisk Cruzer Titanium Plus 4 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive SDCZ28-004G-A11 (Bronze) (Electronics)
If you buy this drive thinking you don't need to subscribe to the Internet backup service and still have the other listed features of a U3 device with AES hardware encryption - you'll be wrong.
- If you don't subscribe you get hounded by a constant reminder running in your computer's system tray while the drive is plugged in.
- If you want to remove the backup software to rid yourself of the messages you MUST remove the U3 menu software crippling all other U3 software support in addition to losing the AES hardware encryption.
The crippling of all device features is not disclosed until after you buy the product and attempt to opt out of the registration/subscription to the Internet backup service where you are presented with a message stating the U3 and all security functions will be removed - but you will still have a basic USB flash drive. Nice...
Another side note - SanDisk has modified there *normal* U3 installation package to not work with this particular drive.
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This review is from: SanDisk Cruzer Titanium Plus 4 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive SDCZ28-004G-A11 (Bronze) (Electronics)
I have always been a fan of SanDisk USB flash drives. I have owned several over the years, and have always found the Cruzer Titanium series to be a great, fast, rugged product. A few months ago the company I work for declared that no removable storage devices could be used in company computers, unless they utilized hardware file encryption. Well I realized that I would no longer be able to use my trusty SanDisk 2GB Ultra Cruzer Titanium drive for work. After doing some research I discovered the new SanDisk Ultra Cruzer Titanium "Plus", which boasted AES hardware encryption. I was delighted because not only would I be able to purchase another great SanDisk Ultra Cruzer flash drive, which would give me the hardware encryption that my company now required, but I would also double the storage capacity over my previous Ultra Cruzer drive. The "Plus" model was brand new, so the cost was higher than the standard Ultra Cruzer series drives (the cost has since come down), but I was sure it would be the perfect answer to my needs so I ordered one right away.
Upon receiving my new Titanium Plus drive, I quickly became aware of a few things that disappointed me. First of all, there was no pocket clip included. Since I have to carry the drive around with me every day, to be used on several computers throughout the business, I always attached previous Cruzer Titanium drives to my shirt pocket with the included clip. I do not wish to carry around my car keys in the pocket of my dress slacks every day, so using the included little chain seemed of little help. Now I would have to keep the flash drive in my pants pocket, which quickly became a nuisance. I also found that it was loaded with the U3 Launchpad and a few U3 "smart programs." I have already had several bad experiences with U3 junkware on my previous Cruzer Ultra Titanium drive and had to uninstall it. Therefore I decided to uninstall it from this new Ultra Titanium Plus drive as well. In fact, my company would not allow me to utilize the on-line backup service anyway, because they don't want their company sensitive data being stored on some Internet servers. So I went ahead and used the U3 removal tool to uninstall the U3 software on the new flash drive. Well that is when I realized that I had just wasted a bunch of money and placed myself in a horrible position.
Without the U3 software on my new Titanium Plus flash drive, I found that I no longer had the encryption capabilities of the drive. Oh, I was so ticked. The so called "hardware encryption" was exactly why I had spent the money on this new drive to begin with! Now here I was stuck with a plain old Cruzer Titanium flash drive, with no encryption. I may as well have continued to use my previous Titanium drive. I was fit to be tied, and I complained to SanDisk about this. I was told that in order to have the encryption capabilities, I would need to have the U3 software installed on the drive. I thought this was supposed to be hardware encryption! Why would I need that rotten U3 slop on my drive in order to have encryption? Well, after going around and around with SanDisk and ultimately getting nowhere, I eventually ended up purchasing an encryption utility called "Lockngo" by Keynesis. This utility, although a bit slow, allowed me to enable file encryption on my new Cruzer Titanium Plus drive. Since I wanted 256-bit AES encryption, plus the ability to use the "Quick Lock" feature, I had to purchase the Professional version of the Lockngo software. This cost me $39.00. When added to the cost of the new SanDisk Ultra Cruzer Titanium Plus 4GB flash drive, I ended up spending a grand total of $93.99. What a complete waste of money! I feel that SanDisk has really bent me over on this issue and I really wish I had never invested the extra money to buy a flash drive that supposedly came with hardware encryption. The product description and instruction manual never stated that uninstalling the U3 software would wipe away all ability to use this encryption feature. Oh Bollocks!
Well I went ahead and registered the new drive with the BoomerangIt service, and attached the little badge to the flash drive with the provided chain. Within a month of carrying the Cruzer flash drive in my pants pocket, all of the print on that little badge completely wore off. Nice! Now anyone who finds my drive will not have the instructions about contacting the BoomerangIt service so that the drive can be returned to me. Double Bollocks!!
So to summarize my dreadful experience; my employer advised me that I could no longer use my non-encrypted SanDisk Ultra Cruzer Titanium flash drive, so I trusted the claims of the new SanDisk Ultra Cruzer Titanium Plus flash drive and purchased one (at top dollar, since it had just been released). I then removed the preinstalled U3 software, as I didn't want the troubles that are associated with it. This fateful decision caused my brand new drive to lose its encryption abilities and it basically just became a more expensive version of the standard Ultra Cruzer Titanium drive. SanDisk Support was absolutely no help, so I then purchased a 3rd party file encryption utility, which cost me another $39.00 out of pocket. I then registered my drive for the free BoomerangIt service, in case I was to misplace my drive. Within a month, all of the print on the attached BoomerangIt service badge was completely worn off. On top of this, there was no pocket clip or lanyard included in the Ultra Cruzer Titanium Plus package, so there is no safe way to carry the drive other than in your pants pocket (which is how the print on the service badge got worn off). Other than the horrible experiences I have mentioned above, this new flash drive works great. It provides fast read/write speeds and the build quality is top shelf. If fact, it works just as well as my older SanDisk Ultra Cruzer Titanium flash drive. Wait a minute, if it only works as good as the older drive, then why did I spend all of this extra money for the newer drive? Hmm....GOOD QUESTION! I have been asking myself that question for the past 4 months now!
I have read that the latest release of the Ultra Cruzer Titanium Plus no longer comes with the U3 software preinstalled. I think that is a wonderful improvement. I am wondering how the encryption feature works on the drive now. They must have utilized some different software to make it work. However, I still cannot find anything on the SanDisk support site, regarding a firmware or software download that could restore the original encryption capabilities of my drive. Then again it doesn't really matter anymore since I already spent a bunch of money to purchase 3rd party software to give me this capability. Although I am happy with the durability and data transfer speeds of the Ultra Cruzer Titanium Plus, I am extremely unhappy with the way the features of this drive must be utilized, the lack of documentation to let consumers know that U3 was needed for encryption, and the appallingly poor customer service that SanDisk provided me with. If I were to rate this product strictly on the personal experience I have had, I would give it 1 star. However, since I do believe that it is a great drive for file storage, and now that I find that SanDisk has done away with that preinstalled U3 software, I am giving this product 3 stars for the quality and speed of the flash drive itself. I am sure that people who purchase the drive new today will have a much better experience, now that SanDisk has worked out the software issues. However, unless they redesigned the BoomerangIt badge so that the text doesn't wear off so easily, you will likely never get your Cruzer Titanium Plus drive back again if you lose it. And SanDisk, if you're reading this, would you be so kind as to send me a pocket clip for this drive? I think I have more than paid for it! =o)
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This review is from: SanDisk Cruzer Titanium Plus 4 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive SDCZ28-004G-A11 (Bronze) (Electronics)
I've used Sandisk drives for years and have never had one fail. My other drives are mico drives (1, 2, & 4 GB)and they all have held up to multiple runs through our washer and dryer, because I often forget them in my pocket. I purchased this new drive for additional storage and daily use. The backup software was a consideration, but it is only for use with the U3 software. Which I'm not a big fan of. If you uninstall the U3 software, you'll remove the automatic online backup features. Sandisk doesn't have the software to reinstall the U3 software with the backup software available yet. They promise my it will be available soon.
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This review is from: SanDisk Cruzer Titanium Plus 4 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive SDCZ28-004G-A11 (Bronze) (Electronics)
The Titanium Plus operates as a standard flash drive - no Launchpad user interface, no drive password, no hardware data encryption, if you select "No" to the initial prompt when you first connect the drive to a USB port.
If you select "Yes", the Launchpad interface will be installed. You then have the Launchpad user interface, and the capability to password the drive. But you will also be inundated with prompts to complete the registration for the on-line back-up service. Once installed, you cannot disable the on-line back-up service in the setup/configuration for Launchpad, contrary to what the FAQ page on the Sandisk website for the Titanium Plus suggests. The cost of the service after the 6 free months is not provided. I would not trust personal data to an on-line Website anyway, even encrypted - look at the Microsoft ".Net Passport" fiasco, their database with people's personal information was hacked into multiple times.
It appears Sandisk is attempting to force users into subscribing to the Sandisk on-line back-up service, unless you're willing to use the drive without any advanced features. And what's to stop Sandisk from making all their older drives behave this way when you innocently submit to a software/firmware update?
Time to switch to another USB drive brand.
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This review is from: SanDisk Cruzer Titanium Plus 4 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive SDCZ28-004G-A11 (Bronze) (Electronics)
I bought this for the backup service after losing all of my material on a previous flash drive. After I bought it I find out that Sandisk no longer offers the backup service as of June 1 2009, you'll have to search to find that they prefer to show you this [...] which is a dated press release bragging about the product. Now I'm just stuck with another mediocre flash drive with that horrid U3 software
Here is part of Sandisk's excuse:
SanDisk was not the service provider for the online backup service. BeInSync was acquired by Phoenix Technologies, who made the decision to terminate the online backup service on short notice. All customer data has been deleted and is not available from the BeInSync service.
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This flash drive is great for college students, TAs, etc. Documents, spreadsheets, presentations, everything fits nice and conveniently on this little 4GB flash drive with durable titanium casing. I've had issues in the past with durability and longevity of plastic cased USB flash drives. Usually you just toss it in your bag or pocket and go and it clashes around in there with keys, pens, phones, etc. Very durable, VERY affordable.
Comes with U3 optional software (PC only). But I can plug-n-play easily with my Mac and PCs. Also can register device only and company provides method to back up information online. How convenient!
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This review is from: SanDisk Cruzer Titanium Plus 4 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive SDCZ28-004G-A11 (Bronze) (Electronics)
It's a memory stick, it has 4GB storage, U3 software, backups software, encryption, a retractable usb connection and it's made of some outlandish "titanium liquimetal". The last two features are it's best and the reasons I bought it. Basically this memory stick works like it should, like almost any other 4GB memory stick. The transfer speed are ok, but not great. But for the price, it's worth it.
The reason I love this thing, is it enables me to use Firefox anywhere and not rely on the security of a hotel or internet cafe. It also has it's own anti-virus (which you need to subscribe to).
It's most annoying feature is the automatic backup of files on the stick. Each time I plug it into my computer at work, it automatically starts syncing. I would have liked more options on this. Right now, I have to stop it each morning. I would also have liked to choose which folders to sync. It's possible you can, but right now I don't know if it's backing up the entire drive or just the "documents" folder.
Another thing, I liked the color of the older version better. This bronze/gold look isn't working for me, but has no impact on the function.
All I really want now, is a 32GB version with faster transfer speeds.
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This review is from: SanDisk Cruzer Titanium Plus 4 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive SDCZ28-004G-A11 (Bronze) (Electronics)
Great drive as long as you uninstall the U3 crap software that is loaded on the unit by default. After you uninstall it, you have a great and rugged USB drive.
As for the backup service which you can sign up for - this is yet another unnecessary expense you don't REALLY need in your life... sure, it's great and useful but you can accomplish the same principal by making sure the contents of your drive and also on one of your computers. Tadaaaaaaaa!
I generally copy the contents of my drives onto my computer maybe once a month. You can do it more often if your data changes very often.
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This review is from: SanDisk Cruzer Titanium Plus 4 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive SDCZ28-004G-A11 (Bronze) (Electronics)
While I normally would agree with some of the negative comments posted, there are a few caveats to the negative comments.
1. The so called "annoying" features come in rather handy when you lose your drive. This is exactly the reason I ended up buying this thing and I plan on subscribing to all these services. I had all my data including my Roboform 2 go log in data and lost my drive. I don't have a backup on my work laptop, and I'm traveling so I won't have access to my back up until I return home. If I would have had this service, I'd already be back up and running because I can just buy a new drive (like i just did) and it would sync everything back up. What a lifesaving convenience.
2. U3 and the U3 apps are quite useful. Anytime I go to a PC without Firefox, without my favorite Editors, I have a quick and easy way to launch using the U3 Launchpad. I don't have to go digging in folders stored on the drive to launch a u3 copy of Firefox.
3. Backup is great, but background/transparent backup is even better. This drive backs itself up automatically. Yes, this is a pay service, it comes with a 6 month free trial, and yes, I definitely think its worth it. You don't have to remember to do anything. Especially considering that you will most likely lose your drive when you least expect it. When you do, the first thing that comes to your mind is to try to remember what important stuff you had on it. Now you don't have to worry about it.
4. Boomerang-It provides a free 1 or 2 year subscription. This is a little tag that you attach to the drive with a serial number on it. If you lose the drive some one can call the 800 number toll free or log in to the website and type in the serial number and return it to you. The way I see it, something is better than nothing, if some one finds your drive and decides to keep it, there's nothing you can do about that. But at least this way if they do decide to be honest and return it for a small reward, then at least you are providing an easy way for them to do so anonymously. Perhaps a lost and found department at an airport can use it to notify you that they have found your item, and you don't have to disclose any personal information about yourself to get your lost item back. In retrospect, I wish I had this on my lost Cruzer.
Like I said, I usually agree with the posters here on excess junk software. But in this case the few utilities that this drive comes with, IMHO are well worth it.
[...]
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This is my third Sandisk Cruzer Titanium; moving up from an older 1GB model.
I need an exceptionally durable USB flash drive for my job. My preference is for one that is built like a tank, but looks like a Mercedes. Performance is also important.
The Titanium series fits my needs perfectly. I know that they are not among the fastest USB flash drives available, but they're no slouches either. In everyday use, I find these units to be relatively fast.
I know that this is a matter of preference, but I can't stand the U3 software that comes preloaded on these units. Fortunately it is easy to remove the software, although you must reformat the unit afterward to remove hidden files left behind.
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