OK, perhaps the title is just a bit exaggerated, but the truth of the matter is that if the Pretec USB 2.0 I-Disk BULLET flash drive happens to stand in the way of a bullet aimed at you, it might just deviate the bullet and save you, since it's...yes, you've guessed it, bulletproof. And keep the very important data stored on it safe as well. Seems like the ideal portable storage solution, no? Well, we'll just see about that, after we take it for a test drive.

I won't insist on the device's functions. If you're reading this article, than chances are that you have a pretty good idea of what an USB stick (even a bulletproof one) does. Namely, connect to the USB port, get a load of data, disconnect and reconnect to another computer and unload the data onto the new machine. This is pretty much it. Of course, Flash Drives with higher storage capacities can also be used for loading a whole OS onto them and then booting a new PC, but that's a story for another time. In this case, we'll stick to the basics.

But before moving on to the tests on the shooting range (just kidding, no shooting was possible, and you'll see why in the end of this article), let's take a look at the device's...

Looks that kill (or save)
What can I say? The I-Disk Bullet from Pretec really looks cool. I mean it's small enough to be worn on a keychain, yet attractive enough to be displayed as a piece of jewelry. It has a very metallic and shiny look, accompanied by what looks like some sort of totemic drawing on the side (an offering to the gods of technology, probably). Moreover, it has quite a sturdy look - that inspires safety - for both you and your data.

Leaving aside the aesthetics, the Flash Drive has a pretty functional design too, since it is formed out of 2 halves screwed tightly together, constructed out of a double layer of metal protection and features a special rubber gasket that prevents the water from penetrating within the device. Moreover, the flash module itself is protected by yet another rubber gasket, so no liquid will ever get there. Don't know about the fire, though.

So, enough with the looks, we now go to....

Components

Not a very popular section in the case of this device, either. The device features:

- screw-on cap;
- main body, with flash memory module contained within;
- rubber gasket on the whole diameter of the main body;
- special keychain attachment system;
- ornament around the main body.

Yep, this kinda sums it up. No reason to waste any more time on this chapter, so let's move on to....

Specifications and features (according to the manufacturers):

- dimensions: 17mm x 17mm x 42mm;
- weight: 38 grams;
- storage capacities: 256 MB – 2 GB;
- operating temperature: - 25 Celsius degrees to + 75 Celsius degrees;
- storage temperature: - 35 Celsius degrees to + 85 Celsius degrees;
- “-proofs”: water, fire, bullet and shock;
- interface: USB 2.0, USB 1.1;
- data transfer rate : up to 20MB/sec read speed and 12MB/sec write speed.

Quite impressive, isn’t it? Well, they sure seem so, but just how real are they? We'll soon see, as...

Softpedia tested the Pretec USB 2.0 I-Disk Bullet and lived to tell the story

Unfortunately, since the device belonged to one of our colleagues from the Games department - thanks for lending it, Andra - I wasn't really able to test all the device's “proofs”, namely the waterproof, fireproof and bulletproof features (the bulletproof thing was actually rather impossible to test, but the other two not quite so). I did test the “shockproof” feature to some extent, though, as I've (more or less accidentally) dropped it from 1.50 meters, and it worked just fine afterwards. If I manage to get a hold of a test device, I promise to update this review, but until that time comes, all I can show you are the results of the data transfer test, which are relatively OK, but quite far from what the manufacturers boasted.

Test conditions:
- 1 x 639 MB .iso file;
- 1 PC with USB 2.0 ports, Windows XP, Firefox, Kasperski Anti-Virus and OpenOffice running in the background;
- file copied by using the TotalCopy software;
- 1 ATA hard-drive;
- 1 I-Disk Bullet flash drive.

Here's what I got:

Computer to flash drive transfer:

Maximum transfer rate: 2.28 MB/sec;
Average transfer rate: 1.63 MB/sec;
Total transfer time: 4.41 minutes.

Flash drive to computer transfer:

Maximum transfer rate: 10,41 MB/sec;
Average transfer rate: 9.53 MB/sec;
Total transfer time: 1.07 minutes.

After finishing these tests (and still missing the fact that I couldn't burn it or drown it), I've compared the device's pros and cons, and then made the....







Pretec USB 2.0 I-Disk Bullet Roundup

What's Cool: The looks, the touch, the fact that it makes you feel like your data is safe, despite its minute dimensions. It's what I would call a “techy fashionable” device, one that blends in with the owner's overall look (perhaps even enhances it), but at the same time it offers a lot of storage space. And even the transfer rates are OK, even if they are significantly different from the max ones presented by the manufacturers. Moreover, the waterproof and shockproof features are also very important, as well as the fireproof one. As for the bulletproof....well, don't rely on it to get out alive from a shootout.

What's not so Cool: Not much I can say here, this time. Really, this device is all thumbs up in my book.

The famous last words

You should get this device if you're planning to go join the Navy Seals, as it will match your dog tags quite well, and keep your secret data safe even in the worst possible situations (in front of a firing squad, that is). Or if you're the type of person who really wants to accessorize his/her outfit with a piece of technological jewelry. Or (and this is the right conclusion) if you're a person looking for a sound portable storage device, which can resist some pretty nasty shocks and carry around a lot of data hanging on your keychain while making some heads turn in the process.

Still Images from the Pretec USB 2.0 I-Disk Bullet review


Photo: Tudor Raiciu