Searching USB sticks with LED indicator - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Jan Audio
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2021, 01:51:15 pm
content: Hi, i am searching for USB sticks that have LED r/w indicator.Try finding something like this is impossible.Maybe it does not exist any more ?I need a normal brand one with fast write speed.Anyone know how to search those ?thanks

author: retiredfeline
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2021, 02:08:43 pm
content: I have USB sticks with internal LEDs that flash on access, but then I haven't bought new ones for years; the largest I have is 16GB. Maybe they went out of favour because the indicator got too annoying. Good luck.

author: SilverSolder
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2021, 02:23:49 pm
content: Here's a nicely branded one, with lights! (may not be the bargain of the century...)http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/fluke/accessories/media-storage/1gb-usb-memory-stick-884x1g.htm

author: Jan Audio
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2021, 02:26:11 pm
content: Indeed all my USB stick always had a LED indicator, i did not worry about it when ordering some bigger ones.Yes i did find a 16 gig for sale somewhere from a unknow brand, i already have those.I bet they save money on the BOM because no one needs a r/w LED indicator.Quote from: SilverSolder on November 08, 2021, 02:23:49 pmLOL 1 GB, at least the brand is good.

author: Benta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2021, 06:38:12 pm
content: Well, this is also a gripe of mine, the only thing the LED shows is that the device is powered.First, stay away from SanDisk, they only offer the dummy LED.I can' t offer a brand with correctly functioning LED, but:Jan, please, when you find a stick, please post back. I'm certain I'm not the only interested party here.

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2021, 09:12:15 pm
content: Gosh, I am surprised by this. I think all my USB sticks have LEDs, although most have a combination one: it is on when the stick is powered but flashes when there is activity. Comes to the same thing, just depends if you want to know if it's powered as well.As an example:USB3, 32GB @ AmazonThat's a PNY and flashes only on access, otherwise the LED is off.

author: Benta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2021, 09:41:41 pm
content: Quote from: dunkemhigh on November 08, 2021, 09:12:15 pmThis is about USB-sticks that actually have an activity LED... Like the HDD LED on your PC. Today, almost no sticks display read/write activity. They display that they're powered on, that's all.If the PNY sticks actually show R/W activity, they're interesting.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2021, 10:26:27 pm
content: FWIW, my Samsung external SSD has an actual activity light. It’s bigger than a thumb drive, but also vastly faster. Would recommend if size and cost aren’t an issue.

author: Jan Audio
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2021, 01:50:14 pm
content: Thank you very much dunkemhigh, i might order one and take your word.It writes 20MB per second, its better then what i have.Do you have one yourself ?, i dont see a LED.Whats a PNY ?, a pony ?Yes Benta, i will tell you what i order if i order and wont forget to tell you.

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2021, 03:04:29 pm
content: QuoteYes, got two. The LED is inside the body and shines through the white part.PNY is a well-known brand in storage, and seem to hit the sweet spot of price vs quality.http://www.pny.eu/en/

author: Jan Audio
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2021, 03:44:44 pm
content: I like to find out of all USB sticks the fastest and the biggest for a price not more then double the half version.

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2021, 07:18:33 pm
content: I like a bargain, but with these things when they're super-cheap there is something amiss. PNY I don't feel the need to check the actual capacity vs advertised, but most no-name ones I would. Also anything off Ebay, regardless of name, I would check.

author: eti
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2021, 07:57:35 pm
content: Here's a selection of mine from the last few years, some maybe 10-11 years old, ALL of which have activity LEDs, some internal, some external:

author: kocoman
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 02, 2024, 05:04:18 am
content: is there any type c storage stick with led activity indicator? or dual type A and type C? thx