Looking for best all around flash drive

[jim.mar]

I want to buy a 4 GB  or 8 GB flash drive for my brother-in-law for Christmas.  He travels all over the planet in short trips and takes lots of photos.  I thought of  a flash drive for him to use to store his photos until he gets home.   Anybody have any recommendations as to best model to use???   Thanks for reading,  JIM

[Allan]

I don't know that there is a "best". I've never had a problem with Sandisk, Kensington, Sony.

[Geek-9pm]

What camera does he use? Many have a USB connector ot upload photos, but that requires a PC available. But  those kind do not interface directly to a Flash Drive.

How does he transfer files from his camera to his PC?
Find out if he usese a Compact Flash Card in his camera. And which kind.
You caould buy him a pair of Flash Cards for the camera.
When he fills one, he puts in the other.
Google Compacr FlashCards
http://www.memorysuppliers.com/compactflash.html
Or, Camera memory
http://www.photographyreview.com/memoryguidecrx.aspx
The later is more informative. Please read

[jim.mar]

Right now he downloads his photos from the camera to a mini book that has a USB port, and is running Windows XP..  Then he uploads(?) the photos onto a CD with an external CD/DVD Burner that he packs around.      I thought that maybe a flash drive would eliminate one step in his procedure.  (burning a CD on the external burner).  I do not know what his camera is but it is an old one that was quite expensive and he doesn't want to upgrade??  I think his camera does use a 1GB SD card.  Not sure.  Thanks for your help,  JIM

[soybean]

I don't know that there is a "best". I've never had a problem with Sandisk, Kensington, Sony.

And, I'll add Kingston and PNY.  Places to shop online:

http://www.buy.com/cat/usb-flash-portable-drive-2-0/16073.html

http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=522&name=USB-Flash-Drives

[Allan]

And I meant Kingston, not Kensington  

[truenorth]

jim.mar As by now you are probably realizing that much of the choices are being based on personal preferences from individual experiences. Nothing wrong with that. However for you in your gift quest that will also end up being a personal choice. In my opinion it comes down more to where you buy than what you buy. This forum has often recounted the unfortunate results of EBay purchases of flash drives. I have many of these devices and my personal favorite is a Corsair 2.0 "Flash Voyager" 32GB. The features it has which i really like are it is very robust and is totally contained within a soft rubber case which i would think pretty much eliminates impact damage potential and it also has a neck strap comparable to a camera neck strap which can eliminate fishing around looking for it. With 32gigs it would take a major effort to fill it up. truenorth

[Computer_Commando]

I like the Sandisk Cruzer because there is no cap to lose.

[jim.mar]

Thanks guys.  You came through like I knew you would.   I think that I can make a good selection now.   I will probably buy from Newegg as I am also a little gunshy about e-bay.

Computer_Commando:I was a little hesitant about SanDisk as I questioned the reliability of the sliding contact on the connector.   I have had no experience with it so I don't really know.  Have you used it much??   Thanks again everyone,  JIM

[Computer_Commando]

It's the only one I have, an older 2GB, but I have card readers in 2 computers and use SD cards, since that's what my camera uses.  I also have one of these:  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820223088

[BC_Programmer]

Computer_Commando:I was a little hesitant about SanDisk as I questioned the reliability of the sliding contact on the connector.   I have had no experience with it so I don't really know.  Have you used it much??   Thanks again everyone,  JIM

Actually, the entire flash drive moves within the case; not just the plug.

 I have a 512MB Cruzer Micro that looks like CC's image and also two 8GB Cruzers with a newer design, and two 8MB kingstons I picked up for a mere 10 dollars at a local computer shop, and a number of smaller drives from various vendors. All have performed well.

[Allan]

I have two Cruzers and never had a problem.

[soybean]

I have 3 PNY flash drives and have had no problems with them.  I also had a Kingston Data Traveler 1GB that I had some portable apps installed on.  Liked that drive but lost it. 

If you buy online, look at the total cost, including shipping when comparing sources.  Buy.com has free shipping on many of them.  That's where I bought the Kingston drive mentioned above.