Memina 1GB Pocket Rocket Review Pros: Fairly priced for 1GB; speedy; small-file transfer speeds; generous at accessory bundles; lifetime warranty.
Cons: Lack any encryption software.
Verdicts: Memina Pocket Rocket distances itself from other 1GB drives with nice accessories and impressive transfer rates across different file sizes. You'll realize the advantage as you start running file sync and perhaps Linux.
The flash drive category offers a bewildering choices, but even as they are clogging the retail shelves, these portable storage devices are still far from perfect. USB 1.1 caused the bottleneck in the early days; now that the USB pipe is widened by 40 times, we're looking at things, such as transfer rates across different file sizes, durability software and accessories.
Swiveling Cap The 2.31" long Memina Pocket Rocket (which comes in 512MB, 1GB, 2GB & 4GB) is about an inch short than the Lexar JumpDrive Lightning and Kingston Data Traveler Elite. Its plastic body protecting the memory is rugged, but it is vulnerable to minor scratches if subjected to constant contact with other keys in a pocket. The swivel (never lose) cap is a nice touch, and there is also a loophole for a lanyard.
Rocket Bundles The Pocket Rocket doesn't come bundled with a data security program. You'll need to download a password protection program called U-Storage from support.memina.com. U-Storage offers you to create a public and private partition to size of your liking; of course, both partitions must add up to 1GB. On the down side, the software doesn't seem to offer the more secure AES encryption. The company makes it up with a lifetime warranty, a lanyard and a cradle, conveniently named the Rocket Dock. (Note: The drive with the Rocket Dock is available for $89 from Newegg.com. The model listed on Shopping.com is shipping without the dock.)
Rocket Benchmark The Memina compares favorably against other 1GB flash drives in Sandra 2005. It excelled many others in small file transfer and deletion tests. During repeated 32kB tests, the Pocket Rocket maintained 2MB/s while the JumpDrive Lightning, supposedly a faster drive, fell below 0.5MB/s. Memina rates its drive at 18MB/s read and 15MB/s write. Our tests showed that the drive didn't reach its full potential until it's writing or reading a 2MB or larger file. If you pair up the Pocket Rocket with your choice of file sync or perhaps Linux, the drive's ability to write small files at impressive speeds will save you a lot of time.
SiSoftware Sandra Benchmark Results
Combined Index : 5867 operation(s)/min
Endurance Factor : 14.0
512B Files Test : 6435 operation(s)/min
32kB Files Test : 7649 operation(s)/min
256kB Files Test : 3027 operation(s)/min
2MB Files Test : 479 operation(s)/min
64MB Files Test : 16 operation(s)/min
Performance Test Status
Run ID : *** on Wednesday, 20th July, 2005 at 13:11:22
SMP Test : No
Total Test Threads : 1
SMT Test : No
Dynamic MP/MT Load Balance : No
Processor Affinity : No
Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows XP, MacOS 10.3.x, MacOS 10.2.x, MacOS 10.1.x, MacOS 9.1, Linux Kernel 2.4
Dimensions
2.31" x 0.71" x 0.46"
Capacity
1GB
Read performance Average substained rate
18MB/s
Write performance Average substained rate
15MB/s
Data protection method
Password protection
Software
U-Storage password protection
Additional media compatibility
None
Accessories
Lanyard, USB extension cable, keychain
Extra function(s)
--
Material of casing
--
Power source
Bus-powered
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Extras Lost a USB cable? Get a replacement USB cable.
Running out of USB ports? Get an extra USB hub.
You may need a new USB card to achieve Hi-Speed USB speeds.
Confirm with our USB 2.0 FAQ if you have Hi-Speed USB on your PC.
Copyright 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 Everything USB
The Pocket Rocket doesn't come bundled with a data security program. You'll need to download a password protection program called U-Storage from support.memina.com. U-Storage offers you to create a public and private partition to size of your liking; of course, both partitions must add up to 1GB. On the down side, the software doesn't seem to offer the more secure AES encryption. The company makes it up with a lifetime warranty, a lanyard and a cradle, conveniently named the Rocket Dock. (Note: The drive with the Rocket Dock is available for $89 from Newegg.com. The model listed on Shopping.com is shipping without the dock.)
