Plepis Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 First off, i'm sorry if text ends up confusing, English isn't my mother language. So, i received yesterday a brand new Corsair Voyager GT 16gb (CMFUSB2.0-16GBGT) stick , and after reading all about counterfeits, hacked generic sticks and etc, i got worried that the stick i got might have been a fake one, so i did some testing and came up with the following... Note: the pros/cons are from someone who never had a corsair USB flash or knows anyone who does, for comparisons: Pros (what i figure is on a legit stick): -Flash came with usb extension cord and and lanyard for carrying it around the neck; -Imprinted numbers/letters on both sides of the USB connector; G16G / FG2990309 in the front 09386038-0 in the back -Real-Deal 16GB capacity, even after formatting it via the windows utility, prompt command and the SDFormatter V2.0.0.3; -Red rubber wings are really red rubber, not painted; -Under the 'Hardware' tab in its properties in Windows XP SP3, it reads "Corsair VoyagetGT USB Device", same reading i got when first plugged it in the PC; -Blue LED lit up when i inserted it -Label in the backprint of the blister, listing what seems to be a serial number, an "assy in china" text right under the model nº(see pic) http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/4861/moto0019n.th.jpg Cons (what made me doubt its authencity) -Benchmarking speeds i got with HD bench and HD Tune Pro: (I'm not sure those readings are normal using a sempron 2600+ 2GB ram, on Windows XP pro SP3) http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/5787/hdbench1.jpg http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/8549/read1.jpg http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/1346/file1d.jpg -After reading this link http://reviews.ebay.ie/How-To-Spot-Fake-Corsair-Flash-Drives_W0QQugidZ10000000011210190 I noticed i can't really feel any hard metal casing underneath the rubber, more like im pressing the PCB doing it, although it doesnt feel like the inner parts are smaller than the casing; -Manufacturer ID on both Control Panel's Device Manager or drive properties aren't identified; -No "16gb" writing on the indicator bulb; http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/2127/moto0021f.th.jpg Also, when i finished the read/write tests, i pulled the flash from the USB port by the lanyard when in a hurry, and the rubber casing fell off from the PCB, making it looks even more suspicious The guy who sold me the flash drive insists its an original device and that he imported it from COS Memory, Germany (im in Brazil), and has all the customs documentation and etc... Have i been scammed and sold a fake flash drive, or it is in fact a genuine product, which i just happened to be unlucky enough on the reading/writing speeds and the fact the rubber casing fell off the PCB? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plepis Posted November 28, 2009 Author Share Posted November 28, 2009 Bump... Edited most of it + added pics to make it more clear.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wired Posted November 28, 2009 Share Posted November 28, 2009 I'd wait an official answer, but the fact that you can feel the PCB isn't a good sign. Bought the USB stick from an end user on eBay or the like and not a store I take it? COS Memory is listed as a Corsair distributor, but I'm curious, why didn't you or him just buy it in Brazil, as there are a couple of Corsair resellers / distributors in Brazil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plepis Posted November 28, 2009 Author Share Posted November 28, 2009 I found this e-shop on the internet... And at the occasion i contacted the resellers they informed me their corsair flash drives were out of stock and didnt have a good prediction on when new units would arrive, i needed the flash on some hurry, besides this shop's prices were about the same range as one of the original resellers, so i thought wouldn't be a problem Good thing the shop seller i'm keeping contact with assured me that if anything, they will refund me if i'm not satisfied by either the speed or the quality of the product... I'm waiting for official answer as well before making any moves, because since the rubber casing fell off, i'll either replace it or get a refund, depending if someone such as RamGuy states either if its indeed a fake or just a faulty drive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wired Posted November 28, 2009 Share Posted November 28, 2009 The rubber casing came off? Can you take pics of it and post it here? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plepis Posted November 29, 2009 Author Share Posted November 29, 2009 Yeah, i had a neckstrap attached to it(not Corsair's, haven't opened that one yet), noticed i was late for an appointment and pulled it off with some hurry. I noticed first time it kinda slipped a little... With no effort at all it eventually came off.. *LOOKS* like entre PCB is covered by some kind of silicon-like substance.. Just took a couple pics with my phone camera, cause atm its the only one i have at hand, lmk if u need better ones.. Here ya go, both sides: Front: Engraved G16G / FG2990309 on the connector http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/5079/moto0022k.th.jpg Back: Engraved 09386038-0 on the connector http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/7284/moto0023i.th.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employees RAM GUY Posted November 29, 2009 Corsair Employees Share Posted November 29, 2009 Please submit the RMA request from the link on the left side of the page, however, if you purchased this from a reseller from ebay they will refuse the RMA and may not return the item if it turns out to be counterfeit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plepis Posted November 29, 2009 Author Share Posted November 29, 2009 Please submit the RMA request from the link on the left side of the page, however, if you purchased this from a reseller from ebay they will refuse the RMA and may not return the item if it turns out to be counterfeit. Actually it was from an e-shop i found online.. The Brazil's official resellers were out of stock by the time i contacted them, so i got from this shop instead... Is there any way to confirm the authenticity of this product at all? Because if it is indeed counterfeit i'll have my money refunded, and will make do with what i got around here until the resellers restock their 16gb GT flash drives (that was my last choice, but it's looking like i'll have to abide for this solution) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wired Posted November 29, 2009 Share Posted November 29, 2009 Get the refund. It's the only guaranteed thing to happen here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employees RAM GUY Posted November 29, 2009 Corsair Employees Share Posted November 29, 2009 I agree get the refund from the reseller, if they are a direct reseller they will be able to get it replaced for new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plepis Posted November 29, 2009 Author Share Posted November 29, 2009 I just sent them an e-mail asking if i do submit the RMA, if they will guarantee the refund in case the RMA is denied or it is identified as a counterfeit and the flash gets discarded.. Will post an update as soon as i get a response Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wired Posted November 29, 2009 Share Posted November 29, 2009 There's no way they'll guarantee that without having the product in hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plepis Posted November 30, 2009 Author Share Posted November 30, 2009 Well, turns out they did guarantee my refund in case the flash drive happens to be a counterfeit, so thats what im gonna do... I'm submitting the RMA as of now! I'll keep you guys updated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employees RAM GUY Posted December 3, 2009 Corsair Employees Share Posted December 3, 2009 They sound reputable and it sounds like they are taking care of you, so yes please let us know Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plepis Posted December 27, 2009 Author Share Posted December 27, 2009 So i got my new Voyaget GT via RMA... Thanks loads for the support!! All i'll do now is enjoy my new flash! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employees RAM GUY Posted December 31, 2009 Corsair Employees Share Posted December 31, 2009 NP thank you for letting us know! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.