14 DAY TRIAL // Normally we wouldn't say that a flash drive is super-fast just for being able to transfer data at 150 MB/s, considering how high the top potential of USB 3.0 is, but storage devices in general don't come close to the limit and active encryption makes things even more ambiguous.
The new Supersonic Bolt XT flash drive from Patriot has all the looks of a truly revolutionary flash drive, but it isn't all that shock-inspiring.
Or at least wouldn't be if all it had to offer was the performance of 150 MB/s. However, when you add the FIPS 197 compliant security to the mix, even being able to read data at that speed is enough cause to be impressed.
Patriot says it's like having a Fort Knox in your pocket, and while we can't speak for the physical endurance, the data security is about as good as you can find out there for this type of storage device.
It probably won't avail people who work for government organizations that ban flash drives on principle, but if your job does allow their use, you may as well choose the Supersonic Bolt XT.
The Patriot Supersonic Bold XT flash drives
The device can read and write files at up to 150 MB/s. The USB 3.0 technology allows for 625 MB/s, but there aren't any storage units that reach that level. The best ones only manage around 200-300 MB/s, in very rare cases, and only for reading.
That means that 150 MB/s is actually a pretty good rating, and if the real world performance reflects this promise, then the Supersonic Bolt TX indeed deserves its name. The writing speed is just 30 MB/s though, because of always encoding data in FIPS 197 compliant hardware-based 256-bit AES security. Not the best thing to hear, but needs must.
As an extra precaution, the drive locks down and formats automatically if someone tries to input the password and fails after 10 attempts. Good for countering brute force hacking attempts.
In addition to good data safety, the newcomer is pretty well protected from physical damage. While you won't want to have it run over by a trolley or anything, it will weather impacts and drops well enough thanks to the rugged rubberized housing.
Availability and pricing
The patriot Supersonic Bolt XT USB 3.0 flash drive with its USB 2.0 backwards support, LED activity indicator can have 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB capacities.
Unfortunately, at present only the 16 GB model has a price, specifically of $50 / €50. For the others, you'll have to wait until retailers add them to their stocks.