Many people routinely use a memory stick to save data on both their work and home computers, as well as in other devices like a digital camera or a camcorder; but they may not automatically think about taking one with them when travelling. That’s a pity as memory sticks can be just as invaluable when you are on the move as they are in your regular life.
The benefits of a memory stick when travelling
- You can store copies of all your important documents,[think scanned copy of passport information pages, visa permissions, travel insurance contact details, reservation information for accommodation and any transport plans such as car hire, as well as key contact numbers for your credit card company and bank, embassy, family and friends], on it. This is invaluable if your luggage/bags get lost or stolen.
- You can save pictures taken to it to avoid running out of space on your SD card.
- You can download lots of TV shows or movies to watch at your leisure while away without blowing the memory on a tablet or laptop you have with you. Good thing we have flash drives in bulk available online.
Choosing the right memory stick – our pick of the top five models for travellers
Travelers need a memory stick which is a suitable size, robust, fast, affordable and if possible has good in-built security, and we think these fit the bill really well.
#1 – Kingston Digital 64GB Data Traveler USB 3.0 Flash Drive
The aluminum casing makes this a sturdy top contender, able to cope with the rigors of traveling. It’s speedy when in operation and has a five-year warranty to boot. All this for less than $30; and it fits great on a keyring.
#2 – SanDisk Extreme 64GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive
The transfer speed data for this great model is 245 MBs read, and 190 MBs write, so you can make fast headway into using some of that 64 GB storage space. The USB port is retractable and the stick itself travels well in a protective bag.
#3 – SanDisk Extreme CZ80 64GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive – SDCZ80-064G-GAM46
This super speedy option also has a retractable USB, and is a good choice if you expect to be moving a lot of data around while traveling. It’s a little bigger than some other models but a great stick for regular travelers.
#4 – PNY Turbo 64GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive
This is a real pocket rocket of a memory stick, as although it is small it is extremely fast, and a 64GB model costs less than $20 if you shop around. (You can double that size for another ten dollars).
#5 – Corsair Flash Voyager Go 64GB OTG Flash Drive
A fantastic choice for multi-device use as this works fine on both Macs and PCs, and Android devices. It comes with a strong case and is less than 40mm long, but is still priced at around $30 for 64GB, or less if you can compromise on memory.
