Page 3: Durability and Conclusion
Durability Testing
Now we get into the real selling point of this product. While the ToughDrive showcased impressive speeds in straight-up performance testing, that was not what the product was designed for, and should be thought of more as a bonus than anything else. The true test of this product is whether it survives the ASE Labs Torture Test.
First we will look at whether or not the ToughDrive is truly water proof. I have first hand experience in how water can destroy flash drives at the most inopportune times. This test was performed by placing the ToughDrive with the cap in place in a glass of water for 10 minutes, then taking it out and letting it sit until it was dry. After it was done drying, it was plugged back into the test system to see whether it still worked. When placed into the computer, Windows immediately recognized it and everything on the drive was usable.
After that, the test was repeated, but with the cap removed, in order to determine whether it is the cap that makes the ToughDrive waterproof or the System-in-Packaging design that ATP touts on its website. The results of this test are a repeat of the the prior one. Clearly the System-in-Packaging design is an engineering feat.
Second we will determine whether or not the shock resistance touted on the packaging is the real deal. First, some light impacting of the drive was done. Tossing it against the wall, dropping it from eye level, etc. Real basic stuff that any flash-based device should be able to withstand. Obviously, the ToughDrive passed this light stuff easily.
To test just how durable the ToughDrive actually is, we therefore had to take it to the next level; testing it against things that would probably severely damage a typical flash drive (such as the control from the performance tests). To do this, the ToughDrive was dropped from eye level on a third storey window (roughly 25 feet above the ground) onto concrete. Thrice.
After the third drop, it was visually inspected for any blemishes or damage; during which it was noticed that there were some slight scratches on the carabiner. That was all the damage that had been done, with the rest of the ToughDrive showing no signs that the drops had even occurred. Upon reinsertion into the test computer, Windows instantly recognized it and all of the files were fine.
The final test was done to determine the validity of the ToughDrive's "Extreme Temperature Resistance." First it was placed into direct sunlight on an 80° day for a period of 30 minutes. After the test was completed, the ToughDrive was immediately inserted into the test computer, where it was, once again, immediately recognized by Windows. To test the opposite end of the spectrum, the ToughDrive was placed into a 25° freezer for another 30 minutes. Amazingly enough, even sub-freezing temperatures didn't cause a hiccup on it. With that out of the way, I can say that the ATP ToughDrive passed our ASE Labs Torture Test flawlessly.
Conclusion:
Coming into this product, I expected a rough and tumble monster of durability, and I was fully impressed by just how tough the ToughDrive is. What I wasn't expecting was a drive that combined some unique features (carabiner, for example) with pretty good speed. There is a downside to this, though. At press time, the ATP ToughDrive Camo goes for around $50 for the 4GB model (though the non-camo version can be had for $10 less). To be honest, that is an awful lot of money these days for a 4GB Flash Drive. However, whether it is worth it really depends on your perspective. There are faster flash drives that can be had for that much money, and there are cheaper flash drives; but one must question the reliability of the former and the speed of the latter.
This of course puts me into a bind. On the one hand, I know first hand that the drive offers incredible durability, staring down situations that most flash drives on the market would bow down to while at the same time offering pretty good read speeds. On the other hand, I have to note that most flash drives simply do not encounter such situations and make by just fine in addition to being cheaper. The bottom line is that this is the flash drive for you if you want to know that your flash drive will take any abuse that you throw at it. I will state that it is great value for uses where it may take a beating, and it is decent value for use as a normal flash drive. The main problem is that it is far better than what most people need in a flash drive, which is why it is rather expensive; but I can't very well knock it for being too good. There are cheaper alternatives on the market, but the important thing is that the ATP Electronics ToughDrive completely lives up to its name.
Thanks to Mike Chean of ATP Electronics for making this review possible.
Now we get into the real selling point of this product. While the ToughDrive showcased impressive speeds in straight-up performance testing, that was not what the product was designed for, and should be thought of more as a bonus than anything else. The true test of this product is whether it survives the ASE Labs Torture Test.
First we will look at whether or not the ToughDrive is truly water proof. I have first hand experience in how water can destroy flash drives at the most inopportune times. This test was performed by placing the ToughDrive with the cap in place in a glass of water for 10 minutes, then taking it out and letting it sit until it was dry. After it was done drying, it was plugged back into the test system to see whether it still worked. When placed into the computer, Windows immediately recognized it and everything on the drive was usable.
After that, the test was repeated, but with the cap removed, in order to determine whether it is the cap that makes the ToughDrive waterproof or the System-in-Packaging design that ATP touts on its website. The results of this test are a repeat of the the prior one. Clearly the System-in-Packaging design is an engineering feat.
Second we will determine whether or not the shock resistance touted on the packaging is the real deal. First, some light impacting of the drive was done. Tossing it against the wall, dropping it from eye level, etc. Real basic stuff that any flash-based device should be able to withstand. Obviously, the ToughDrive passed this light stuff easily.
To test just how durable the ToughDrive actually is, we therefore had to take it to the next level; testing it against things that would probably severely damage a typical flash drive (such as the control from the performance tests). To do this, the ToughDrive was dropped from eye level on a third storey window (roughly 25 feet above the ground) onto concrete. Thrice.
After the third drop, it was visually inspected for any blemishes or damage; during which it was noticed that there were some slight scratches on the carabiner. That was all the damage that had been done, with the rest of the ToughDrive showing no signs that the drops had even occurred. Upon reinsertion into the test computer, Windows instantly recognized it and all of the files were fine.
The final test was done to determine the validity of the ToughDrive's "Extreme Temperature Resistance." First it was placed into direct sunlight on an 80° day for a period of 30 minutes. After the test was completed, the ToughDrive was immediately inserted into the test computer, where it was, once again, immediately recognized by Windows. To test the opposite end of the spectrum, the ToughDrive was placed into a 25° freezer for another 30 minutes. Amazingly enough, even sub-freezing temperatures didn't cause a hiccup on it. With that out of the way, I can say that the ATP ToughDrive passed our ASE Labs Torture Test flawlessly.
Conclusion:
Coming into this product, I expected a rough and tumble monster of durability, and I was fully impressed by just how tough the ToughDrive is. What I wasn't expecting was a drive that combined some unique features (carabiner, for example) with pretty good speed. There is a downside to this, though. At press time, the ATP ToughDrive Camo goes for around $50 for the 4GB model (though the non-camo version can be had for $10 less). To be honest, that is an awful lot of money these days for a 4GB Flash Drive. However, whether it is worth it really depends on your perspective. There are faster flash drives that can be had for that much money, and there are cheaper flash drives; but one must question the reliability of the former and the speed of the latter.
This of course puts me into a bind. On the one hand, I know first hand that the drive offers incredible durability, staring down situations that most flash drives on the market would bow down to while at the same time offering pretty good read speeds. On the other hand, I have to note that most flash drives simply do not encounter such situations and make by just fine in addition to being cheaper. The bottom line is that this is the flash drive for you if you want to know that your flash drive will take any abuse that you throw at it. I will state that it is great value for uses where it may take a beating, and it is decent value for use as a normal flash drive. The main problem is that it is far better than what most people need in a flash drive, which is why it is rather expensive; but I can't very well knock it for being too good. There are cheaper alternatives on the market, but the important thing is that the ATP Electronics ToughDrive completely lives up to its name.
Thanks to Mike Chean of ATP Electronics for making this review possible.