CORSAIR Padlock 2 8GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive 256bit AES Encryption Model CMFPLA8GB

Pros: I got this as as secure data solution. I'm not a security expert, but I feel safe putting my personal data on this drive, which I would never do on a non-encrypted USB drive. I take this whenever I travel. Mine came with a lanyard, so it travels around my neck, under my shirt. I'm gotten quite good at keying in my passcode, and, after 5 years, there is no evidence of wear on the buttons. The five keys I use look just as bright as the one I don't. The cap fits snugly over the connector, and is not likely to come off unintentionally.

Cons: The body is somewhat larger than most USB sticks, and may have trouble being plugged in adjacent to another USB device, such as a mouse or keyboard. I still have the cap, which protects the connector, but it can get separated from the body during use.

Overall Review: I've been quite happy with this, and thrilled about the longevity, and would replace it with the same model (but maybe larger capacity?) it something ever happened to it.

Pros: Worked well for 90 days, seems very durable until it died, wish it was more reliable since it is a padlock drive.

Cons: file transfer caused it to die after 3 months, now I can't even format the drive, even after unlocking it. Looks like it the actual storage drive that died/corrupted, not the password protection lock. Trying to get RMA now.

Overall Review: Buyer beware.

Pros: I had previously purchased 2 16GB padlocks in the past and they worked fine. I purchase 2 32 GB drives and one was easy to set up and is working fine. I find it a very good product for taking files to and from work and backing up my files. I am not sure how really good the lock is on the data, others can certainly speak more knowledgeably than me, on the subject, but it should hopefully keep the run of the mill crook from getting into my data if the drive were lost or stolen.

Cons: The other 32 GB will not lock and stays open. I tried the 911 option to destroy the data on the flash drive and it will not allow me to even destroy the data. I cannot even return the drive for replacement if that is an option since my files would be opened. I will contact the company after tax season and see is the issue can be corrected. For full disclosure, I would not be totally surprised if I found that operator error contributed to the issue somehow but I have set up 3 before with no problem.

Overall Review: It depends on if the issue can be resolved and if the issue is due to my operator error or a bad product. I would not recommend the product right now.

Pros: They work for about a year

Cons: I've accumulated about 12 Corsair thumb drives over the last couple of years, two of which are the encryption model. I use them for work and personal stuff daily. For the first year they worked great and I was happy. Then like clock work these, along with the regular ones started failing after about a year. I now own two very expensive paper weights. What bothers me isn't the fact that they are starting to fail, anything electronic no matter how good can develop issues and I understand that. What bothers me is that their customer service is some of the worst I have ever seen. I have contacted them several times to send in the old ones for replacement. While the customer service dept. did get back to me fairly quickly, they were absolutely no help. They wouldn't replace them unless I provided proof and date of purchase. Really? Even though I have purchased most of them from Newegg, what message does it send to somebody that you won't stand behind your product. Today, another corsair drive quit, this one a 32g. I threw it in the trash. It's easier to do that then have to fight them on getting it replaced. In the future I'll start using other brands. You should too.

Pros: Security that is easy. No more worrying while I am transporting sensitive data. No software to install an someone else's computer.

Cons: Needs charging, Users manual is not very good (No troubleshooting for LOW battery, and Master PIN section labeled wrong)

Overall Review: PS- If low battery you only get red flashing light when trying to do anything. Charge it overnight to fix. Left out of USB socket for several weeks was problem.

Pros: Data security. Recognizing that nothing is secure, this is better than knowing a lost USB drive means lost data.

Cons: Not the speediest, but for documents and the like, perfectly acceptable. Not USB 3 sadly.

Pros: Been using this drive for over a year, and it's been a solid performer. It's big & fast enough for my needs, but also keeps my data SAFE in case of loss or theft. It also works on EVERYTHING, because the encryption is built-in - no software or elevated privileges are required. PCs, Macs, Tablets, Smartphones ... I've used it with all of them without issue.

Cons: None.

Overall Review: Just waiting for Corsair to release a 32/64GB, USB 3.0 version!

Pros: Works fine out of the box. Comes with a convenient USB extension cable.

Cons: No self destruct. Only 5 characters are available for password entry. Allows weak passwords (as few as 4 digits). As a result, given enough time the password could be cracked.

Overall Review: This design looks like a copy, a toy version, of another brand that I can't mention here. The user interface is very similar but the features are crippled. The Corsair is an impressive toy, however if you want to sleep well knowing your data is really safe then you will have to spend about 3 times as much.