Patriot Gauntlet Node Wi-Fi Storage Enclosure Review

Performance Summary: While the performance of Patriot Memory’s Gauntlet Node didn’t blow us away, the occasional laggy video and sometimes slow Web interface also didn’t ruin the overall experience. Most files streamed just fine, even when there were multiple devices competing for bandwidth, and once the Node and any connected devices were set up and configured, the user experience was fairly straightforward and simple.
The Gauntlet Node isn’t perfect, but it’s a pretty handy device, and its value increases depending on how you look at it. As a media server for your home network--which includes desktops, laptops, tablets, and phones--this device is adequate. The security settings are strong so you can feel safe leaving it on all the time, and it’s convenient to be able to pull up a favorite video, photo, or music track whenever you want to on any of your devices. However, the lack of a slick player makes it a little less appealing as a household media server.

On the other hand, if you view it as an extension of your mobile device’s storage, you can truly see the Gauntlet Node’s usefulness evince itself. Remember, the thing has a battery and also creates its own hotspot, so you can take it with you anywhere and view content on your tablet or phone. If you’re feeling generous, you can also share files with anyone you trust enough with your network login information.

You can find a Gauntlet Node right now for $99, which is a reasonable price tag for what you get. True, you also need a hard drive to put in it, but this is exactly the sort of situation that’s ideal for re-purposing your old laptop drive that’s just been sitting around for ages.

We’d like to see a smoother setup experience and perhaps a built-in media player, but it’s clear that Patriot Memory has put a lot of good work into the Gauntlet Node, from developing their own smooth-performing mobile apps, to a simple yet classy chassis design, glitch-free security and network configuration, and mostly smooth streaming performance.