usb drive Archives - Reactual

The Best USB Drive For iPhones/iPads

Justin Thomas — Mon, 24 Oct 2016 17:00:09 +0000

The Overall Best USB Drive: 64GB HooToo External Storage Stick

HooToo updated its popular line of iPhone flash drives earlier this summer to incorporate the speed of USB 3.0 and improve design. The HT-IM003 model is housed in a durable aluminum alloy case and wins out in terms of functionality and design.

It’s slim, sleek, and sturdy. It weighs just a quarter of an ounce and is about 2″ long. On one end sits the standard USB 3.0 drive, with the lightning end on the other. This time around the lightning connected is protected by a cap that is attached by a key-ring. The connector is extended by 4mm which is just enough to work around thick protective cases. That’s a pretty important function, as it’s a pain in the ass to take off a phone case every time you want to use your device.

USB drives are not known for their fast speeds. But USB 3.0 technology gives the HooToo a significant boost over previous models. The drive hits 80 MB/s read and 30 MB/s write speeds on USB 3.0, with some user benchmarks surpassing advertised speeds. That’s good enough to transfer a full HD movie in less than a minute. Unfortunately, lightning port speeds are still stuck in the dark ages, with top read speeds of 30 MB/s and write speeds of 10 MB/s. That means moving large amounts of data from your Apple device to the drive will take a while, but still much faster than uploading to the cloud or sending via email.

HooToo uses a free app called iPlugmate to work on your device. The app has a simple interface that automatically segregates your files based into pics, music, videos, etc. It supports most common file types, including wav, mp3, avi, mkv, doc, pdf, and ppt. You can stream your files directly from iPlugmate while it is attached, which frees up valuable storage on your device. The app lacks any security features, which is disappointing.

Best 2-in-1 iPhone USB Drive: RAVPower Charging Cable

HooToo just released the RAVPower Charging Cable, a 64GB external storage device that doubles as a charging device. It’s the perfect 2-in-1 plug-in for viewing high-usage content like HD videos and picture slideshows.

The RAVPower cable delivers transfers files at a similar clip to the External Storage stick. That means the USB 3.0 port gets 80 MB/s 30MB/s, while the lightning port chugs along at 30 MB/s read and 10 MB/s write. It also operates on the iPlugmate app, which lets you stream most common file types directly from the drive.

The design differs in a couple ways. First, the metal USB 3.0 and lightning ports are connected by a soft rubber cord. This 5 inch long device is flexible, with no unwieldy clip. While the design is convenient, both ports are uncapped. This opens the possibility of them snapping in a purse or briefcase, which is a disadvantage compared to the standard drive. But its functionality as a charger offsets this restriction.

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The Best USB Thumb Drive Of 2016

Justin Thomas — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 01:22:08 +0000

The Best Overall Thumb Drive: SanDisk Extreme CZ80 64GB
The Fastest USB Thumb Drive: Lexar 128GB JumpDrive P20
The Most Secure USB Thumb Drive: Apricorn Aegis Secure

The Details

USB Thumb Drives use flash memory to store and transfer data. These little guys have been around for awhile, and are a quick and effective means of transferring data. There are a couple factors to keep in mind when purchasing a USB thumb drive. The first is speed. The era of slow-as-molasses thumb drives is gone but not forgotten, and many of today’s USB 3.0 drives still leave something to be desired.

You also want a drive with encryption. The sad truth is that USB drives are easy to lose, especially if you use shared computers. Get a device that can encrypt your files so strangers can’t access them if they find your drive.

Finally, you want a durable device. While the exact level of ruggedness you want may vary, make sure to get a well constructed product that doesn’t overheat or jam up in a slide.

The Best Overall Thumb Drive: SanDisk Extreme CZ80 64GB

For the pasts few years, California-based SanDisk has produced the best USB 3.0 thumb drive. Their 64GB Extreme CZ80 is fast, affordable, and secure.

This drive delivers read and write speeds at a significantly faster clip than most competitors. SanDisk advertises read speeds up to 245MBs and write speeds of 190MBs, and user benchmarks confirm that these speeds are mostly accurate. This means you can transfer a full-length SD movie in about 10 seconds. That’s 50x faster than old USB 2.0 drives (and double the speed of many 3.0 drives). This drive is ideal for transferring large files, both due to its capacity and speed relative to other options on the market.

The drive also protects your files with AES 128-bit encryption and a secure access vault that works on both Macs and USB. It also includes RescuePRO data recovery software. The Extreme is made with durable plastic, not the most rugged USB drive on the market, but it is solidly constructed and comes with a limited lifetime warranty. It’s also not the most discrete, coming in at 2.8 inches long. But the speed and value of this device cannot be beat for most users.

The Fastest USB Thumb Drive: Lexar 128GB JumpDrive P20

USB drives get a bum rap for their slow speeds. Earlier models had read and write speeds in the low teens, while even many of today’s USB 3.0 drives take twice as long as an external hard drive. But the Lexar 128GB Jump Drive P20 delivers an impressive read/write speed of 400/270MBs. That speed is fast enough to transfer an HD movie in less than the time it takes a Netflix video to load and buffer.

The JumpDrive P20 is housed in a sturdy metal alloy case with a glossy black mirror finish. It’s a retractable drive, which made me suspicious at first, as retractable drives are prone to jamming or otherwise breaking. But the P20 slides along solidly (if not a little stiff) and is protected by a lock mechanism that keeps it safe when extended. At 25 grams, it has a nice heft to it. Lexar includes a limited lifetime warranty. I also like the 256-bit AES encryption via EncryptStickTM Lite software.

The main draw is the drive’s USB 3.0 capacity. This drive runs faster than many external HDDs. While it doesn’t touch SSD speeds, it gets the job done fast enough to be a viable option for large data transfers. Transfer 1000 photos in 1 minute 15 seconds or a full-length HD movie in 36 seconds.

The Most Secure USB Thumb Drive: Apricorn Aegis Secure

The Apricorn Aegis Secure Key is the perfect storage device for a small amount of data. There are two steps to protect your data. First, it requires you to enter a 7-15 digit code on an alphanumeric keyboard.

The second layer of security comes from 256-bit AES Military Grade Hardware Encryption. The Secure Key is tested by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and receives a FIPS 140-2 Level 3 cryptography specification. It doesn’t need any software or firmware to run. That means there’s no risk of a firmware hack. Finally, it protects against brute force attacks with a mechanism that deletes the encryption key if an incorrect PIN is entered too many times.

You can set up an Admin PIN as well as individual user PINs, so companies can recycle the keys if they are granted to new users. The keypad is powered by a battery and is convenient to use. It also resits dust and water ingress. The rest of the device is also solidly constructed in water-resistant aluminum casing. This version uses USB 2.0. A USB 3.0 version exists, but has a few issues (like overheating) that this version doesn’t have.

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How To Set-Up A Wireless Projector System For Your Home

Justin Thomas — Wed, 04 May 2016 16:53:53 +0000

Projectors often need to be placed in the most inconvenient locations to connect your laptop or computer to – they are often hanging from a ceiling or sitting across the other side of the room. Thankfully, instead of trying to perform the trapeze each time you need to connect your laptop, tablet or phone to the projector, you are now offered a number of wireless solutions that allow you to stream content to a projector without wires. This makes life much more comfortable, whether you’re taking a portable Pico laptop to the boardroom with you or simply relaxing in the den using your projector as a home theater.

Using Apple Airplay to Stream Content Wirelessly to your Projector

If you’re lucky enough to be using a projector that supports Apple AirPlay, such as the excellent iDea Pico Projector or EUG 760+(A), you should be able to use its wireless streaming capabilities without buying additional hardware. You’ll need a device that supports AirPlay – Apple products running iOS 7.0 (or later) or OSX Mountain Lion 10.8 (or later) are your best bet, but you can also use software like 5KPlayer to stream from computers running Windows.

To use AirPlay on an iOS device, swipe from the bottom of the screen and open the Control Center. Choose AirPlay. Here you’ll see a list of the devices on the network set up to receive AirPlay content. Choose your projector from the list, and the content on your iOS device will be mirrored on the projector. Simple!

Using a Proprietary Wireless Adaptor to Connect to your Projector

If you already have an expensive projector, but it doesn’t have wireless capabilities, you’ll need to take another route. Projector manufacturers, recognizing the growing demand for wireless connectivity in projectors, often offer wireless dongles as an optional extra. Big names like Sony, Epson and BenQ offer wireless dongles for their popular projectors. USB wireless adapters are common on newer models, but wireless adapters with a VGA output are also available for many older projectors without USB ports. Check your projector manufacturer’s website to see if you can buy a wireless adapter for your projector from them or on Amazon.com.

Using a Full Wireless Kit to Turn a Non-Wireless Projector into a Wireless Projector

Proprietary wireless adapters are not available for every projector model, so a more versatile option is choosing a full wireless projector kit such as the BenQ Wireless FHD Kit. This wireless kit and others like it, works on any projector with an HDMI input. Wireless kits like this work somewhat like a virtual HDMI cable, and come with two digital boxes – one you plug into the HDMI output on your laptop or cable box and the other you plug into the receiving projector. This allows you to transmit up to a 1080p 3D picture.

Both the sending device and receiving device are powered by USB, so you should be able to keep wires to a minimum. This system works through line-of-sight, so the receiving box should be within 20 meters of the sending box.

While a wireless kit is particularly versatile, it’s important to consider their cost, which is about $100 to $350 depending on the brand and special features. Since an excellent new wireless projector can be purchased for less than $800, it might be sensible to consider replacing an old projector with a new wireless one instead of using a wireless kit.

Using a Projector-Connected Computer to Make your Projector Wireless

One of the simplest ways to get the functionality of a wireless printer is to connect a computer to the projector and use the projector as this computer’s output screen. Then, use software that allows you to mirror your content across the network on the projector-connected computer.

Such devices are now available in tiny sizes no bigger than a USB drive with a single HDMI output that you plug into your projector.

A version of this method is to use an Apple TV device connected to the projector, and then use Apple Airplay to stream content to the Apple TV. If you use a Windows PC or laptop connected to the projector, you can use software like AirServer to stream content in a similar fashion.

Alternatively, if your projector-connected device supports Windows, like the tiny Intel Compute Stick, you have a wealth of software options to help you stream content over the network to your projector. A simple option is the use of VNC (Virtual Network Computing), which allows you to mirror screens across computers and remotely control the computer as if you were operating it with a connected mouse and keyboard. Free VNC software clients and servers are available for a host of operating systems, including Windows and Android.

If you are planning to stream movies, TV and music to a home projector, consider installing Plex Media Server on your desktop computer and Plex client software on your projector-connected device. This allows you to send your media to the projector with consummate ease. Plex client software is available for a wide range of platforms, including Windows, OSX, ChromeOS and Android.

The post How To Set-Up A Wireless Projector System For Your Home appeared first on Reactual.

The Best Airplay Projectors

Justin Thomas — Tue, 26 Apr 2016 15:36:41 +0000

The best full size AirPlay projector is the EUG 760+(A). It illuminates at 2600 lumens and can achieve up to 1920 x 1200 maximum resolution.
Update November 2016: These new projectors support AirPlay: ELEGIANT 1080P Projector and the B2COOL Wifi Bluetooth Projector (via WiFi only)
This wireless projector doesn’t support Airplay but uses WiFi instead: WhaleStone WS46 (1200 lumens, $90)
~~The iCodis CB100W is the best all-around portable AirPlay projector. It weighs just 110g and has a max resolution of 1080p.~~ (No longer recommended)

The Details

AirPlay is Apple’s proprietary protocol for wirelessly streaming audio and video across a network. Compatible devices act as either a sender or receiver. With this innovative system, you can effortlessly transmit your music, videos or screen content wirelessly from a sending device and display it on a receiving device. No more need for a jumble of HDMI, USB, VGA wires to get something from one screen on to another.

There have been various implementations of Apple AirPlay since it was first introduced as AirTunes in 2004. Now, for the full AirPlay feature set, it is recommended that you stream content from an Apple device running iOS 4.3 (or later) or OSX Mountain Lion 10.8 (or later).

Your receiving device will also need to support AirPlay. The list of supporting devices is now huge, including popular devices such as Apple TV, Apple Airport Express, a wealth of speaker docks from suppliers like Bose, Sony and Philips, computers running AirPlay receiver software (like AirServer or Reflector) and Bluetooth devices that support A2DP.

Note that because not all third-party receivers implement Apple’s DRM encryption, some media, such as iTunes Store’s own rights-protected music (Apple’s own “FairPlay” encryption), YouTube and Netflix, cannot stream to those devices or software. On Apple TV starting with firmware 6.0, the “FairPlay” encryption scheme is enforced and sending devices not supporting it cannot be used.

Some receiving devices require the sending device to be running newer operating system revisions such as iOS 7.0 – be sure to check the specified operating system requirements of the sending device before you purchase an AirPlay receiving device.

The Best Full Sized AirPlay Projector: EUG 760+

The EUG 760+(A) is a full-size AirPlay-capable projector that offers a bright 2600 lumens and a 2500:1 contrast ratio. You can project an image up to five meters.

The projector has a built-in Android system, which extends its feature set far beyond most projectors. External USB drives up to 1TB are supported, and an HDMI input makes the EUG 760+(A) more versatile in the office than our other options. It can be installed in a front, rear or ceiling configuration and has a long LED life length – over 50000 hours. If you’re not planning on going on the move with your projector and don’t mind its larger size, the Airplay-compatible EUG 760+(A) may be your best option overall.

Here’s the manufacturer’s instructions for using AirPlay:

Enter into projector’s Android mode.
Go to “Mirroring” on desktop and open “Airplay”, or directly find and open “Happy Cast” apps in “My Apps”
Operate iOS device, tune out the control center. The system will auto detect nearby connectable devices. When the projector’s device name shows up, click it to enter into Airplay setting
Click the device name to connect. Then toggle the “Mirror” button to enable mirroring. The iOS device screen will be shown on the projector’s screen.

The Best AirPlay Pico Projector

Update: This device will not play streaming sites like Netflix, so I’m removing my recommendation.

~~An updated version of the popular CB100 projector, the iCodis CB100W is a diminutive (110 grams) device aimed at those on the go.~~

With no HDMI input, the CB100W is designed to be used almost exclusively as a wireless projector, although like the iDea Pico you can use an SD card or USB drive with the CB100W. The built-in battery is 1800mAh – excellent for the projector’s size but offering a shorter usage time than the iDea Pico Projector. Expect more like 45 minutes of battery-only usage before the CB100W needs to be plugged in.
~~The CB100W supports iOS 7.0 (and above) for AirPlay support.~~

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The Toughest Electronics

Justin Thomas — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 16:58:45 +0000

We’ve reviewed many durable products on Reactual — electronics built to be waterproof, shockproof and dustproof — but this list features the best of the best, the toughest and most technologically advanced products on the market. Take notice, because these devices can take abuse. Here’s a round-up of the toughest electronics we’ve found:

The Toughest Camera: Olympus TG-4

The Olympus TG-4 is a shockproof and freeze-resistant camera that will capture beautiful images in extreme environmental conditions. It works underwater, and can snap pictures in RAW with a wide-angle lens. See our full review.

The Toughest Tablet: Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 8.0

Samsung’s Galaxy Tab Active 8.0 is a rugged water and dust resistant tablet that can survive in rough-and-tumble workplaces. Enjoy the vibrant colors and ultra-high resolution of Samsung’s flagship line of portable electronic secured in a MIL STD 810G rated anti-shock case. See our full review.

The Toughest Laptop: Panasonic Toughbook 31

The Toughbook 31 combines military quality drop-shock protection and best-in-class performance to create the world’s best ruggedized Windows notebook. A full magnesium alloy case safe-guards a powerful touch-screen notebook from hazardous environmental conditions and accidental drops and blows. See our full review.

The Toughest Smart Phone: Droid Turbo 2

Frequent phone droppers rejoice — Motorola has created the world’s first truly shatterproof smartphone, the Droid Turbo 2. An innovative five layer plastic AMOLED screen and aluminum chassis keep the Droid Turbo functioning even after drops of over 900 feet. See our full review.

The Toughest Audio Player: Cowon Plenue 1

Audiophiles in search of a portable audio player with high-fidelity sound and durable construction need to check out the Cowon Plenue 1. This tough device forgoes cheap plastics for a diamond-cut aluminum chassis. The solid-metal frame makes this MP3 player the toughest in the field, and a Burr-Brown DAC gifts the discerning listener with great sound quality and diverse file support. See our full review.

The Toughest Headphones: V-MODA XS

Listen to music with the peace-of-mind that your headphones can survive the use and abuse of daily transit. The V-MODA XS offer hi-fi sound in a solidly constructed shell. It has a steel frame, detachable cloth braided cords and a headband that bends but doesn’t break. See our full review.

The Toughest Portable Charger: Unifun Waterproof Battery

Keep your portable electronics fully charged in harsh environments with this dustproof and waterproof external battery by Unifun. The lithium-polymer battery is water-resistant and protected by a hard plastic case and shock-absorbing rubber edges. Plastic cover seals the Unifun’s two micro-USB charging ports from water. See our full review.

The Toughest USB Drive: Survivor Stealth USB 3.0

Transport your files in aircraft-grade aluminum with the Survivor Stealth USB 3.0, a military-style data transport that can endure extreme environments. An EPDM waterproof seal keeps water out and a molded shock damping collar protects this USB drive from drops and crushing. See our full review.

The Toughest External Hard Drive: U32 Shadow

Edit HD video and store your files on the U32 Shadow, a compact Solid State Drive housed in a stylish and durable aluminum case. Store up to 256 GB of files and run them through USB 3.0 at a speed of up to 400 MB/s. See our full review.

The Toughest Keyboard: Topre Type Heaven

Discover the joy of typing on this luxurious Japanese keyboard, the Topre Type Heaven. The solid, heavy design features electrostatic capacitive key switches at an affordable price point. The Topre Type Heaven will win over any typist with its satisfying tactile feedback and silent stroke. See our full review.

The Toughest Mouse: G602 Wireless Gaming Mouse

Get over 20 million clicks with the G602, a wireless mouse with 11 programmable buttons and a crazy long battery life. The G602 is outfitted with mechanical switches to increase lifespan and uses Delta Zero Sensor Technology for ultra-accurate cursor control. See our full review.

The Toughest Compact Flashlight: Titan Plus

The brightest and strongest ultra-compact flashlight is the SureFire Titan Plus. This flashlight that shines with 300 lumens at its highest setting — more than enough light to illuminate a forest trail. A nickel-plated brass body gives rugged protection that brushes off scratches and prevents corrosion. See our full review.

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The Best Waterproof and Shockproof USB Drive

Justin Thomas — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 04:29:44 +0000

The best waterproof thumb drive on the market is the Corsair Flash Survivor Stealth 64GB USB 3.0 drive. The military-style data transport is as fast and rugged as the planes its aircraft-grade aluminum chassis is re-purposed from. It has a hard-anodized, waterproof, shock resistant exterior to protect the top-of-the-line technology inside. All this is backed by a limited five year warranty.

The Details

The Survivor Stealth USB 3.0 is compatible with both USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 technology. USB 3.0 gives the drive additional speed, and is four times faster than traditional USB 2.0 drives. The drive has a max read speed of 85 MB per second and max write of 70 MB per second. Those speeds are a bit slower than drives specifically engineered for high speeds, but are still more than serviceable for such a rugged drive.

In addition to being fast as lighting, the Corsair Flash Survivor Stealth is rugged. Its aircraft-grade aluminum housing is waterproof up to 200 meters thanks to the use of an EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber) waterproof seal. A molded shock damping collar makes the Survivor vibration proof and shock resistant.

In addition to the 64 GB storage size, Corsair offers the Survivor Stealth in 16, 32, and 128 and 256 GB. The drive weighs 1.3 ounces and is a bit bulky, as can be expected from a rugged drive. It has a hole to hook on to your key ring, but the hole is on the drive itself, not the cap. It unscrews in two halves, so you need to be careful not to lose the cap.

The Survivor Stealth USB 3.0 is available from Amazon for around $45.

Another Option

The LaCie XtremKey is another rugged USB drive with USB 2.0 and 3.0 capability. It can withstand ten tons of pressure thanks to its metal alloy exterior. The XtremKey also holds up well against heat and water.

The XtremKey outpaces the Corsair Survivor Stealth in speed tests. A Maximum PC test found that it performed key reads at an impressive 213MB/s, taking just 3 minutes 34 seconds to write an 11GB file-copy test. The XtremKey is even bulkier than the Survivor, so it is not great for portability.

The LaCie XtremKey is available from Amazon for around $83.

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The Best Portable External Hard Drive Of 2016

Justin Thomas — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 17:44:40 +0000

The U32 Shadow is the best portable backup drive currently available.

This compact device is a fast Solid Sate Drive (SSD) drive with no moving parts. It’s housed in durable aluminium case. It is compatible with USB 3.0. It comes with a 3 year warranty, and the manufacturer (Oyen Digital) is responsive to customer requests.

Because it’s a SSD drive it’s a bit more expensive than similar mechanical drives. The 256GB version costs about $120 on Amazon. There’s also a 1 Terrabyte version that costs about $380.

The Details: The Best Portable Backup Drive

I’ve been testing the U32 Shadow over the last few months. The drive has been performs quite well on both my Linux and Mac computers. I’m able to play Blu-Ray movies from the drive without a problem. The manufacturer says the drive is great for HD video editing. Oyen Digital has bench-marked the drive at 400 MB/s when connected to a USB 3.0 port, using a MacBook Pro 2012.

I like the fact that the Shadow doesn’t require an external power source — it’s entirely powered by the included USB cable. The drive uses USB 3.0 by default (with transfer rates up to 400 MB/Sec), but it is also compatible with USB 2.0 connections.

The U32 Shadow is a solid state drive — so it’s resistant to shocks. Solid state drives are much less likely to breakdown than a mechanical drive. They also have faster access and seek times. See this article from ServerWatch for more details.

The drive’s dimensions are 4.9 x 2.9 x .48 inches, and it weighs 8 ounces.

The 256GB version costs about $120 on Amazon. and the 1 Terrabyte version costs about $380.

Another Compact Drive Option

The Transcend SSD is another compact and portable SSD with a similar price. This drive is about as small as a playing card, making it a bit smaller than the U32 Shadow. However, it comes encased in plastic rather than aluminium.

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The Top Rated Data Recovery Software For USB Drives

Justin Thomas — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 17:22:58 +0000

Data recovery software is primarily intended to restore data from a hard drive that is either failing or has had files accidentally deleted. Traditional hard drives are more susceptible to malfunction than flash memory-based drives, because flash drives have no moving parts and aren’t as vulnerable to physical breakdown. However, it is just as easy to mistakenly delete data from a flash drive as it is to delete it from a hard drive. Most data recovery software includes options for restoring lost data from both types of drives. This article focuses on data recovery software that is able to quickly and effectively undelete data on USB flash drives. All of our selections require a Windows operating system.

We’ve researched websites such as V3.co.uk, PC World, Recovery-Review.com, Computeractive, Download.com, About.com, CNET, and PC Magazine. Here is the top rated data recovery software for USB drives:

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free Edition

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free Edition (Free)

Pros:

Effective USB drive data recovery
Ability to perform Windows hard drive data recovery

Cons:

1GB limit on recovered data

Top Review Sources:

V3.co.uk: 4.0/5.0 “An ideal solution for those seeking to recover lost data on all forms of removable media”
PC World: “EaseUs Data Recovery Wizard Free actually works and it’s not a glorified undelete program like some you’ll encounter”
Recovery-Review.com: “The program has proven to be a reliable, stable and fast tool”

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free Edition is a full-featured undelete program with options for USB flash drive data restoration. No matter how you lost the files—accidental deletion, software crash, damage from malware, or even reformatting—Data Recovery Wizard will almost certainly be able to help. This program has advanced capabilities such as sector scanning and file name restoration. The only catch is that the Free Edition only allows you to recover 1GB of data. You’ll be able to scan for and see all the data that EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard finds and can restore, but without spending $70 for the paid edition, you can’t recover more than a gigabyte. With USB flash drive capacities commonly well above 1GB, it is likely you will need the paid edition. However, you may not, and even if you do, there isn’t any investment required to try out this solid performer.

Visit the publisher’s site to download EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free Edition, as well as EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard ($70).

BadCopy Pro

BadCopy Pro ($40)

Pros:

Dedicated removable media recovery
Fast

Cons:

Only recognizes FAT file systems

Top Review Sources:

PC World: “If you’ve ever inserted a CD, floppy, Zip disk, or thumb drive only to have Windows cough up an error message telling you it isn’t there, isn’t formatted, or some such, you’ll appreciate BadCopy Pro”
Computeractive: “If you need to recover a file, it’s definitely worth giving BadCopy a try”
Dowload.com User Reviews: 3.0/5.0 (35+ reviews)

BadCopy Pro is a dedicated removable media recovery program. USB flash drives commonly use the FAT32 file system. FAT32 allows data to be written and read between Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems, so it is useful to have removable media formatted with FAT32. However, it is possible to format a USB drive with another popular file system, such as NTFS (used by modern Windows operating systems). If you don’t work with FAT32, look elsewhere for your USB flash drive data recovery software. However, if you are using FAT32, BadCopy Pro is worth a close look. BadCopy Pro is built to restore data on USB drives and other removable media. It works in a few simple steps to scan for deleted or corrupted files, and its interface is clean and simple. If you download the free trial version of BadCopy Pro, you’ll be able to preview the files it finds but not save them. If you are happy with the results, you can purchase the paid version in order to restore your data.

Jufsoft’s Bad Copy Pro is available for download as a free evaluation version, or as the paid, full-featured edition.

Recuva

Recuva (Free)

Pros:

Great performance
Helpful interface
Free

Cons:

Some paid programs offer more features

Top Review Sources:

About.com: 5.0/5.0 “Contains a simple wizard and advanced options – perfect for everyone”
CNET: 4.5/5.0 “An excellent choice for anyone in need of reliable file recovery”
PC Magazine: 4.0/5.0 “An attractive interface that you can navigate easily even when you’re distracted by the fear that you’ve lost precious data for ever”

Piriform’s Recuva is a well-known and respected name in the data recovery game. Its main draw is its ability to save data from hard drives, but it also has the capability to rescue USB drive data. Recuva’s friendly wizard guides you through the process in a step-by-step fashion. You will be able to preview your results before saving. In tests, Recuva performs very well in finding and saving lost data. Advanced options included a deep scanning mode, sector-based recovery, and secure file deletion.

Download Recuva for free on Piriform’s website.

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