Home > Consumer Reviews > Sony 128 MB Micro Vault USB 2.0 Flash Memory with Fingerprint Id Portable Drive

The new Sony Micro Vault 128MB flash drive with fingerprint access may seem overly expensive at first, but when you consider its super-accurate fingerprint ID feature, it's well worth the price.

The package consists of a 128MB flash drive that works over USB 2.0, which means fast read and write speeds, a "docking station" that's bascially a USB 2.0 extension, and a program called Sony Fingerprint Access software that, once installed on a Windows computer (no Macintosh compatibility), allows you to use the fingerprint reader on the flash drive. The fingerprint reader is a small piece of silicon that scans your fingerprint. When matched, the fingerprint access program allows you to 1) lock and unlock files and folders, 2) save login names and passwords for websites (but, only one login per site allowed), 3) secure your screensaver, and 4) securely transport your Favorites folder, so you can take your favorite links with you. Of course, to be able to use the fingerprint access features across PCs, you need to install the software on all the PCs you are going to use. Luckily, Sony allows you to intall the program without restrictions.

Installation went without a hitch, and the fingerprint software is very easy to use. First you register your fingerprints for up to seven fingers. Sony recommends you register at least two fingers, lest you lose the precious one in an accident, I presume. (Oh, in case you unfortunately do lose all your fingers, you can still use the access program via a master password. Obviously, safeguard that password well!) Fingerprint registration is really painless. The program prompts you to press the fingerprint scanner, lift your finger, repeat a few times, and presto, you are done. The fingerprint IDing process is also largely transparent. Say you saved the login info for your bank website (via an Internet Explorer toolbar icon -- sorry, doesn't work with Netscape or Opera), the next time you are back at the site, a fingerprint access window pops up automatically and asks you to either subject your finger to a scan or type in your master password. Fingerprint scanning usually takes less than a second, but you'll notice the slight delay. But considering how much hassle it saves you from remembering logins, this is a very convenient feature.

Truth be told, fingerprint access is probably more geeky-novel than an everyday computing necessity. Like I said, everything can be done via the master password, and you can do all the things Sony's fingerprint access software does with either Windows built-in functions (screensaver and file encryption) or free software (e.g., Roboform). Is the novelty factor worth the price? For a gadget freak like myself, it is, because it's just so cool to use your finger to access your own PC. Oh, of course, you do get about 115MB of storage on the flash drive. BTW, Sony's flash drives are really reliable, which is a good thing in itself, of course.

The drive is nice, however we cannot get it to appear as an icon in Win XP without restarting the computer. Other devices, such as a Lexar Jumpstart, behave as expected, that is, when plugged into the USB port, the My Compupter screen refreshes and the icon is there. No amount of tweaking would let the Sony to this. And in fact, even though E: was empty (not in use) when the computer was restarted, the Sony insisted on being F: -- thereby obscuring the mapped network drive. Not recommended.

Well, I've owned the Sony MicroVault Drive 2.0 for over 8 months now, and I'm less than impressed.

First off, I'll agree with the first review that the software SEEMED intuitive & well-designed on the first install.
However, you'll quickly learn that it's completely counter-intuitive. Every time you change 1 setting, the software interface closes down, and to open it back up requires another finger-swipe or password, even 1/2 a second later!! Several functions of the software tie up WinXP's resources HORRIBLY. (like saving favorites which took 5 minutes of 95% memory use on my 1GB RAM system). Also copying form & to the MicroVault takes far too long, even with plenty of memory free on my computer.

Another software issue: The MicroVault CANNOT be left installed during restart. For a laptop/tablet user, this is a major hassle. I bought it to secure my laptop, yet it can't be installed when my system restarts. Perhaps Sony should mention that in their ads! Lastly, the design of having a cap that can be missplaced & is not tethered in any way to the key seems a little unwise. It's far too easy for the two parts to be separated, but the drive by itself is too fragile to carry in a case without its cover.

I hope this is not read as a rant. It's not intended to be. For $65, getting even a small degree of security might be ok for some users. However, I expected more, especially from Sony, and I can tell the software hasn't been upgraded for XP in the least. I tried to upgrade it on their site, but no improvements available. Personally, I'm already in the market for a replacement, and hope to review a better product soon. Best of Luck to all.