theuerkorn's Full Review: SanDisk Cruzer Titanium with U3 Technology, USB Fl...
Sandisk's original Cruzer Titanium (SDCZ3) got mixed reviews in 2005, and despite its cool rugged shell it sure turned out to be a softy. Unfortunately that meant the drive's electronics would literally die if not handled correctly. Against all odds, I gave in to the new Cruzer Titanium (SDCZ7) due to it's great looks. Besides, I finally learned to always unmount the drive before unplugging ... the key to longevity for the original, and a requirement for U3.
Ordering from SanDisk directly has been a pain since the item was back-ordered for about 4 weeks longer than any other on-line store I tried (i.e. Staples, Newegg, ZipZoomFly etc.). The price was right though and I sat it out (for $59.-). One month later, the new Cruzer was on my door steps.
Once received, the emotions were somewhat mixed. The new housing looks cool and is significantly smaller than the first Cruzer Titanium. Yet, the overall design isn't as elegant, and the polished portion prone to display finger prints prominently while the satin doesn't have the same quality. The clip has been revised and takes some time getting used to as well. Yet, the SDCZ7 is finally a size and design that can be attached to your keychain without screaming "geek".
SanDisk didn't make major claims to have speed improved and U3 and the new housing are the most obvious changes. Yet, write performance got a nice boost and gets closer to the rated speed, while read performance for small files seems to have lost a little bit.
The included U3 software is overall a great idea, but for some reason I had load problems on computers with highly restricted user rights. (An issue I have not seen to the same extend with Memorex' U3 capable Traveldrive Mini.)
MAIN FEATURES
To make sure you get the latest version, compare the product number. SDCZ7 stands for the smaller Cruzer Titanium (also listed as New Cruzer Titanium or SDCZ7-2048-A10). The older version lists as SDCZ3.
Housing: [****-] The somewhat longish original (8.5mm x 20.8mm x 74.8mm) has been shrunk to an impressive 7.14mm x 19.05mm x 57.94mm (H x W x L). Obviously the greatest change happened to the length, making the drive easier to store (and to lose). The minimalistic design has been slightly "updated" with the new two-tone (satin/polished) body. The material remained the same "Liquidmetal" which Sandisk claims to withstand crush forces in excess of 2000 lbs. The USB connector is retractable the same way with the housing functioning as a shroud for the connector when not in use. There is no dust cap to loose in this design. The metal still makes this a relatively heavy design.
Design: [****-] The two tone housing looks great on pictures. The satin finish is nicely complemented by the polished portions and the laser etched writing we're used to from Sandisk's Cruzer Titanium. The simple elegance of the original (SDCZ3) got lost a little bit with the slightly more flashy design. The satin finish doesn't have the same quality to it as the original. The biggest distraction, however, is caused by the polished section which shows finger prints and light scratches much more easily than the all-satin design. The known clever design details like the retractable housing which exposes or protects the USB connector is still great to prevent loosing the dust cap. Nevertheless it's still prone to collecting lint. The blue LED lights up the white area in the slider and can be seen from one side only. The lighting scheme now makes sense as it's on when mounted and should be off before removing (a U3 requirement).
Accessories: [****-] Included are a lanyard neckstrap and a clip to hold it securely in your shirt pocket (or computer bag). I have to admit that I wonder who uses a neckstrap anyway, but it also works as an attachment point for your key chain. The clip has been modified now snaps into a dedicated groove on the parting line of the housing. It doesn't seem to have the retention issues of the initial design (which had been fixed quietly by Sandisk). Yet somehow even the clip lost some of its previous elegance.
Software: [****-] As a U3 Smart drive, the Cruzer Titanium comes with several tools preloaded like the CruzerSync synchronization tool, SignupShield password manager, AVAST virus scan and SKYPE software. (A voucher code is included for 1 month of free SKYPE voicemail.) Of those I found only the sync tool to be useful. The U3 launchpad is standardized and version 1.1.0.2 is installed. (This is where the global password can be assigned.) Adding software is as simple as starting the integrated browser and download new programs. Some are free and others typically cost between $10 and $30. A data recovery tool is optional and unfortunately not included in the Titanium package. Any of the included software is compatible with Windows 2000 SP4 and XP only.
Performance: [****-] The Cruzer Titanium works with both USB 2.0 and USB 1.1 ports, though the latter would stifle the performance. Despite the maximum 480 Mbit/s (or 60 MByte/s) of the USB2.0 interface, flash memory typically gets nowhere close. SanDisk online rates the New Cruzer Titanium at 15 MByte/s for both read and write. Yet, the packaging states 9 MByte/s (write) and 15 MByte/s (read), or pretty much the same as the original SDCZ3.
The results are confusing when comparing it with the old version (SDCZ3). Generally speaking, write performance improved significantly and now even comes close to the rated 9 MB/s from the packaging. Small file inefficiency has gotten reduced, but it's still relatively slow. The read performance oddly dropped for very small files while slightly improving at 256kB files and bigger. Copying a single large file (ZIP, 570 MByte) clocked in at a respectable 18.1 MByte/s for reading and 8.1 MByte/s for writing.
U3 smart enabled Retractable USB connector eliminates the need for caps Extremely rugged and smart USB flash drive Liquidmetal casing is crush-resista...More at Amazon Marketplace
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