Pretec's bulletproof iDisk meets its match: .500 Magnum

We love when lofty claims actually get put to the test, and while we know that an iPod can't hold its own in a blender and an unshielded PSP is no match for a katana, neither of those actually touted any form of defense to begin with. Not so with Pretec's iDisk flash drive, which actually goes so far as to claim that it's "bulletproof," spurning a few shooters at a gun club to grab a few pistols, a camcorder, and give it a go. Initially, the battle-tested drive brushed off a 9mm round, .357 shot, and even a .44 slug without too much damage to the enclosure, but the little fellow didn't fare so well against the mighty .500 Magnum, which practically obliterated it in one fell swoop. Of course, a data thief desperate for your information isn't likely to destroy the very bytes he or she is after, but if you're frightened that Pretec's offering isn't quite macho enough for your needs, we're sure the "nuclear proof" Iron Drive could fit the bill -- until it meets the GP-219 or an eight-Megajoule railgun, of course. Click on through for the (admittedly lengthy) destruction process.

[Roland Rohde @ Feb 18th 2007 6:22AM]

Is the .500 gun they used comparable to the Desert Eagle with .50AE ammo? If not, I'd like to see that as well...:-)

But it's actually amazing what that thing can withstand. The interesting part would have been where they stick the iDisk into a computer USB port and show us that the data is OK...still pretty cool though!

[pyro @ Feb 18th 2007 9:59AM]

I'm pretty sure that's an S&W and it's more powerful then a desert eagle.

[NHAnimator @ Feb 18th 2007 10:30AM]

Did they use the same drive for all of the tests? If so, then the integrity of the enclosure may have been compromised during the first three shots, thus making it more susceptible to damage during the 4th.

[Josh @ Feb 18th 2007 12:15PM]

I'm pretty sure that nothing can withstand the awesome power of a .50 caliber shell, bullet proof vests even start loosing effectiveness against them - i'm pretty sure a flash drive really doesnt stand much of a chance. i wonder how it would fair against a barret m95...

Pretty funny video, thanks.

[WamBam @ Feb 18th 2007 12:19PM]

A .50 caliber a .500 are the same thing. One just has more zeroes. You can call it a .50000000 or even .5 caliber but it's all the same.

The Desert Eagle is probably the best known .500 caliber gun but S&W came out with the Magnum 500 to compete and because people like bigger numbers, Magnum 500 sounds more impressive then a DE 50.

[Matt @ Feb 18th 2007 12:49PM]

Why didn't they test to see if the data was intact after each shot? That would've been interesting.

[CLE @ Feb 18th 2007 1:58PM]

Dammit! And here I was almost halfway through making my bullet-proof iDisk vest. Ooooh, the money I've wasted....

[Keyth Halloween @ Feb 18th 2007 2:54PM]

How do they even get away with calling it "iDisk"? Apple has been using that name for their internet-based virtual hard drive for ages.

This borrowing of iNaming is getting lame. Come up with your own quirky name, guys!

[false_cause @ Feb 18th 2007 3:02PM]

Though they are the same diameter, the .500 S&W Magnum is considerably more powerful than a .50 Action Express cartridge, the latter capable of developing as much as 1000 more ft-lbs of muzzle energy.

[false_cause @ Feb 18th 2007 3:06PM]

Former, rather.

[Tom @ Feb 18th 2007 3:20PM]

They didnt test it with a single rifle. A rifle, no matter what size would have destroyed the thing. You cannot call yourself bulletproof if ANY pistol even comes close to penetrating. A rifle is magnitudes more powerful than a pistol, even a 22 would have probably destroyed the drive.

[Steven Gill @ Feb 18th 2007 6:02PM]

FWIW Tom, (From Federal Premium Ballistics)

Rifle - 45 gr. 22 Hornet - ~700 foot-pounds of energy at 10 yards

Handgun - 275 gr. 500 S&W - ~1600 foot-pounds of energy at 10 yards

I know which one I would rather be in front of. Yes some rifles are more powerful but if you think a .22 can do more damage than the 500 S&W round at short distances you have obviously never bothered to learn anything about firearms.

[Drew @ Feb 19th 2007 7:18AM]

Steven, that's a relatively weak loading for a .500 Magnum too. What about a 350 grain bullet @ 1975 feet per second. That's over 3000 ft./lb of energy out of the barrel. I'm curious to know what they used in the video...

[ddaw735 @ Feb 18th 2007 11:00PM]

Dude a 30-06 rifle like a old m1 will defeat any bullet proof vest.

[OP Komonen @ Feb 20th 2007 11:35AM]

There's also a subtitled version out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCO3P3letKs

OP Komonen / Tietokone

[Scorpious @ Feb 26th 2007 11:50AM]

I'd love to see this on Mythbusters, lol:

iDrive vs. Barret M82A1.



I know the Barret would win... I just wanna see how small the remnants of the iDrive would be.