The Distinct Compass And Cryptex Lock USB Drives

The word cryptex is a neologism coined by the author Dan Brown for his 2003 novel The Da Vinci Code, denoting a portable vault used to hide secret messages. It is a word formed from Greek κρυπτός kryptós, "hidden, secret" and Latin codex; "an apt title for this device" since it uses "the science of cryptology to protect information written on the contained scroll or codex"

 

Since then, multiple variations of the Cryptex have been created. The latest, is really nice-looking USB drives. There are 2 variations of this - the "Compass Lock", which looks like a beautiful pocket watch, and uses cardinal directions as the code (map directions, such as NE/SE/NW/N, etc); and the "original" , which is numerically based.

 

Both devices have a nice weight about them, and you can feel the build quality.

 

Compass Lock USB:

 

With this device, you have to spin the 4 dials so that the arrow matches up with the code you are provided with. Once you have all of these correctly aligned, the USB will come out of the bottom of the device. It also has a handy "hook" at the top, which if you so desired you could attach a chain to, and hang it from your neck (for example)

 

Cryptex USB:

 

This one works differently, in that you have to align the numbers on the 5 dials to the code provided. There is one edge that has a raised ridge, and this is the side you want to line the numbers up on.

 

Both of these devices add a bit of fun into quite a mundane bit of technology (a flash drive). They come in sizes varying from 16gb to 256gb, so it fits in with whatever you want to use it for (i.e just a nice looking device, or you want to store some serious data on it)

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