ILok 2 Software Authorization Device

I very happily received the the iLok 3 and really appreciate the fact that the seller sent it in place of the iLok 2. The iLok 3 is much smaller lighter, and faster........and if I'm honest so much more easily lost, so I must look for something to house it in!

I am familiar with iLok, CodeMeter, eLicenser and SafeNet Sentinel USB keys, so this is an opportunity for a comparative review (I'll keep it short though because I don't have much time).Of course everyone would love to be able to use software freely without blocking USB ports, but freely cannot mean free of charge, or developers would have no incentive to develop software. So we, users and developers, all need copy protection to cut out the thieves. Fair enough.Some people prefer challenge response software licensing or other protection systems that store the licenses on a drive, thus not blocking a USB port. In fact Pace provide that option through their License Manager software, the choice to allow it or not is up to the developers.The problem with storing licenses on hard drives is that hard drives fail far more easily and frequently than USB keys, and when that happens you are at the mercy of the software developer to obtain a new license, and they don't have to trust you about your drive failing. In my estimation, having licenses on USB keys the least annoying solution (it also makes the licenses portable which is a big plus).Hardware:he iLok key is robust enough. I'm sure you could break one easily if you wanted to, but it certainly does not come apart if you frown at it like the eLicenser, although it has to be said, I have three iLoks (two from work, one personal) and the cap has a weak point on the corners, with two of mine cracked (I suspect one of them was cracked on arrival). It doesn't really matter, the keys themselves are fine. They don't seem as solid as the CodeMeter keys but the CodeMeter software and authorization system are sub-par so iLok is hands-on better overall than CodeMeter. The SafeNet Sentinel key would be the winner here though: it's narrower which is good when USB ports are close to one another, and seems very tough. Like the iLok it comes with a cap, and that one does not crack.License management:The iLok License Manager shines here. The eLicenser software is pretty easy to use as well, but the iLok interface is so streamlined and the options to protect your licenses against loss and downtime are brilliant (although they are chargeable, and the idea may be to put the blame on you for downtime if you do not take up the offer, but well... they don't put a gun to your head, you have a choice).Available software:The real reason people choose a USB protection key. If the software you want to use needs an iLok, you'll get one. Same for the others. It's that simple.All that can be said is that iLok is very widely used, certainly in the audio/music software industry, and you're likely to need one at some point. Even if you don't use Pro Tools (and I certainly don't use it unless I have to), sooner or later you will want a plug-in or two that use iLok protection.The iLok is offered here for about £10 less than on most other websites (correct at the time of reviewing but check other websites, as it may have changed by the time you read this). So if you're going to get one, this is probably the place to order it.

Well, I am with those who object to having to buy a quite expensive additional USB stick in order to run programs that I have already purchased (and which are themselves usually quite expensive.)Having said that, my experience of the iLok is that it has installed and performed absolutely perfectly so far, and, of course, it has the capacity to hold licence details for many further items.I do think that it is a pity that getting the customer to fork out a tidy additional sum has been the only apparently successful solution so far found to software piracy, but I take the point that, if it it continues to work, it affords protection especially to smaller companies where profit margins can be slender to non-existent.

..at a high price. Sometimes my software doesn't know it's there - have to reinsert it. I like the flashing blue light.

Seems to work great - service and delivery were brilliant. I transferred all my licenses over from an old style ILOK - no bother

I bought this device to use certain plugins. It frequently 'decides' when it wants to work, I have to go through updates which disable using it, I'm having to go to device vendors to find out how to get it running again. Mid session it will sometimes crash out and cause my ableton project to crash too. Overall a nasty forced purchase - it enables great audio plugins but they clearly need to understand that this is a serious hinderance to using their software.I've also purchased a new laptop to produce on and this only has 1 usb port to aid in portability. Taking up a usb slot with something that works only half of the time is less than ideal.Not impressed.

This is a great way of storing licenses for plugins/software, and allows you to freely carry your licenses around with you, rather than them being stuck on one device. You can also register with iLok which gives you some backup in case the worse happens and you lose the iLok. I also liked the fact that it didn't require any drivers to work.

I was really apprehensive about having to buy one of these as I had read so many bad reviews. I was worried that there would be problems with my licenses going missing or the iLOK dying on me soon after I got it. So far I have used it for about 5 months and have had no problems. It was pretty straight forward to set up, although a little convoluted in a way but maybe that's just because I am new to using usb license keys like this. I have yet to experience any issues so cannot comment on their customer service. It did take a while for this to arrive by post though, I think it was 3 weeks in the end which was a bit disappointing and I thought it might have gotten lost. Packaging was adequate and product arrived undamaged.