Innovative USB memory products are hitting the market faster than the transfer speeds these devices promise. We have seen waterproof and more recently hardware security USB sticks. But most of them still lack that little extra in speed!

And as systems develop, we also need ever faster USB sticks, so OCZ has the answer. The "ATV Turbo". This zebra looking black and yellow striped device promises very fast read and write speeds, with a 4GB size. So how fast is it, especially when we consider that there is a lot of competition out there?

- OCZ ATV Turbo

The ATV Turbo takes speed to a whole new level for performance enthusiasts and boasts the fastest speeds on the market. Not only are these premium flash drives aggressively fast at transferring files of all types and sizes, but are optimized for Windows® Vista™ Ready Boost, offering true performance advantages to this latest operating system.

ATV Turbo flash drives feature durable and colorful rubber tread housing, which is a 100% weatherproof storage solution to keep digital files safe in any conditions, even fully submerged in water. The attached cap holder will help prevent misplacement of the protective key cover, while the chain can easily fasten to your key ring for ultimate portability.

- Features

• High Speed USB 2.0 Certified
• Read: 33-35MB / second
• Write: 26-30MB / second
• True Plug and Play (Compatible with MAC OS X) 
• Dual Channel Technology       
• Available in 4GB capacities       
• Waterproof Rubber Housing       
• Orange LED Status Light       
• Lifetime Warranty

- Package

OCZ provided us with the ATV Turbo 4GB (P/N: OCZUSBATVT4G). The USB stick is well protected in a plastic shell. Users can buy the OCZ ATV Turbo 4GB at the retail price of US$97 (+shipping).

Opening the clamshell give us a closer look at this USB module:

On the front we find the ATV Turbo logo while there is a small LED on the top, near the chain, that indicates activity (yellow/orange). The cap holder is connected to the main body with a key-chain, which of course can be removed. I don't know how well the key-chain will survive under heavy use though......

Removing the protective cap, it can be attached to the cap holder. While the protective cap is well secured to the cap holder, we would prefer if were attached to the main body.

On the back of the device, we find the OCZ web site address. Overall, the OCZ ATV Turbo is well made, is lightweight and feels durable enough to withstand drops, and most hazards. As OCZ claims, the ATV Turbo is 100% weatherproof which is very good, if you work in a hostile environment.