BitFenix Recon Fan Controller

Pros: Easy to install
Bright Display
Powers 5 fans

Cons: Software stinks: I don't think it really works to tell the truth.

Other Thoughts: This is my 2 time trying one of these things out. Last try was:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811999215

Work for what i need it for, all i was looking for is something to power all my fans. I have a MOBO that the fan power ports do not work.

5 fans only 3 worked :(

This solved my problem

Pros: Great value, first of all. The setup was very easy - plug in one molex from your power-supply to the controller, then connect your fans to the controller and place your temp sensors! Easy! I was done in an hour. Supposedly you can control it from your desktop and with your phone, but I haven't set that up yet. I honestly don't know what people are complaining about, it does the job and so far it's been doing it fairly well. I don't feel like I've wasted any money on it.

The automatic mode is freaking awesome. Sometimes I'll switch to manual and crank everything to 11, then hit the auto switch just to see it work and slow everything down. While in auto mode, the controller monitors your system (temp, cpu, mem etc) so when you're doing nothing like browsing the web the fans are barely spinning but when you launch something more intensive like photoshop or a video game the controller kicks in and speeds up the fans. It's REALLY COOL!

Cons: The screen kinda sucks. The touch works well but the visible-angle of the screen is like +/- 1 degree. You need to be looking at the thing STRAIGHT ON in order to see the screen clearly, otherwise it just looks like everything is lit up. It's because of this I would recommend you control it from your phone of desktop with your web browser.

Other Thoughts: I've only had setup for a bit over a week now so I can't comment as to the reliability. Other owners seemed to have issues in this area. Like most things made in China, I'm just going to assume this is a quality control issue. Most units will probably work fine and 10% will just be duds that slipped past quality control.

If your computer is connected to a router (I think most people are) you'll have to configure port 9980 to forward to your internal IP in order to access the remote controls for the unit. It's not a big deal but I forgot my router's password so I haven't been able to test the remote controls yet!

Pros: looks nice

Cons: Quality is terrible. Web control of unit was awkward, device failed and has left the screen scrambled. Unit turns fans on, but there is no speed control and Bitfenix has been promising a replacement for over 2 weeks now.

Other Thoughts: Buy a fan controller from a different manufacturer that will stand behind their product.

Pros: 5 channels to power fans....at first.

Cons: Failed after 33 days. Yep just outside the return window, the display is now garbled, there is no adjustment control of the fans, and Bitfenix's crack team of customer support has told me "This does not occur unless you have damaged the controller in some way, either overheating or misuse of the product, etc." As if I am some moron that can't manage to unbox and install a fan controller without using a hammer or a propane torch. BUY BEWARE, Bitfenix may have a decent product, but prepare to be insulted when you contact them if their product fails.

Other Thoughts: Totally regret this purchase. The controller was pretty nice at first, but Bitfenix obviously has some QC issues and they prefer to blame their customers than own up to the issue.

Pros: Its works flawlessly. Nice soft rubber feel on the bezel. Good quality build. Controls 5 fans, 5 sensors, auto or manual control, white display, spining fan display, can turn of display or on and also beep noise can be turned off as well.

Cons: None i can think of.

Other Thoughts: I have not used the software that u can download from Bitfenix's website and i didn't hook up the usb at all. I took the usb contection behind the fan controller out. Works fine like every other fan controller. Keep in mind, be careful taking usb out, the hot glue attachment is slightly covered over the capitator. I used razor knife to slide between the usb connector and glue it self. Cheers.

Pros: this case fan controller runs all five of my seven fans it runs 3x 120mm 2x140mm without any problems.

Cons: Doesnt start my coffee, cook dinner,

Other Thoughts: I read review that said that it wouldnt be good for builds like mine.... im glad i took a chance. looks so cool.

Pros: It looks cool in the pictures, online control is a cool feature (although I can't think of many situations that i'd need to be monitoring my computer temps from my cell phone)

Cons: Where to begin....

1) The short sides made it hard to mount...especially with my case's screwless bays. When I did get it mounted, it didn't want to sit straight across the front, it was at a slight angle.

2) The tape that comes with it to attach the temp sensors is utterly useless.

3) When I finally got the temp sensors to stay in place and powered my machine up, the screen didn't come on. If I had to guess, I'd say it was probably related the pop i heard/smoke that started pouring out about 3 seconds after I turned it on.

Other Thoughts: I'm a bit bummed about it because this was the last piece on a new build...it was really supposed to tie the whole thing together haha. Maybe I just got the one unlucky controller and the others are great, but I'm not really sure what to do now. Do I try my luck with a new one, go for a different model, or just let my mobo handle it?

Pros: looks / readout / software with USB plugs / looks again....

Cons: mounting needs to be better implemented, only got screws into one side, had to use my own screws for the other side, weird...

Other Thoughts: much cooler looking than NZXT Sentry-2
this is the quietest rig I have ever built and the Bitfenix has the fans running with a light cool hum, you have to be up close to hear the fans.
all CM SickleFlow 120mm and CM 140mm fans.

Pros: 2 eggs for nice design and ease of installation, to bad it doesn't work.

Cons: I'm having the exact same issue as "turneyreed." On boot up it spins the fans to max rpm for about 10 seconds and then starts to slow down, and eventually turns all the fans off. Then it gives off an annoying beep and fans go to max RPM.. this repeats until I turn it off.

Also, the website to control the fans doesn't work, so how am I supposed to control the fans? I will return it if I can't get this fixed through them this weekend. To bad because it looks so good.

Pros: Don't take my rating the product as bad but.... It's a great product and works well, I think it's a great value. I have it hidden in my case and use the downloadable soft to control my fans. I'm using channels 1-4 for my 480mm AlphaCool UT 60 in push pull, the 8 fans are Corsair SP HP 120. And on channel 5 I have 5 Corsair AF 140

Cons: The one and only con about the product is the software is a pain in the bum to get installed and working correctly. The USB header cable that comes with it needs to be about 12 to 16 inches longer; if you get this product you will know what I mean about the cable. It's long but there are 2 diff USB connections on it making it unsightly and annoying. Because you have to plug the middle one to the mobo and then route the second part of the cord behind the mother board.

The other con is that the included temp sensors have to be plugged into the controller, else it beeps and spins the fans at 100%.