Fan controllers may not be a marquee item within many enthusiast's systems but the power they grant over airflow within a case cannot be underestimated. While many motherboards now incorporate fine-grain system fan control options, these small and typically inexpensive units allow users to modify speeds and even LED brightness on the fly instead of through a clunky BIOS interface.
BitFenix is busy making an iron clad name for themselves in the enclosure market but they’ve also released a pair of adaptable fan controllers: the entry level Hyrda Pro and the innovative Recon.
The Hydra Pro is a simple, entry level 5-channel fan controller that uses sliders to increase and decrease fan speeds. Priced at just over $30, it is capable of outputting up to 30W per channel and comes equipped with BitFenix’s signature soft-touch finish which is sure to be a great addition to any 5.25” drive bay. BitFenix has also included a handy LED control which can turn off or on any lighting attached to your fans.
BitFenix’s $45 Recon is a different beast altogether. Instead of physical knobs or sliders, it uses an innovative high contrast touchscreen LCD panel and more importantly BitFenix has included the ability to control every feature via the internet. This means fan speeds and temperatures can be effectively control and monitored from anywhere in the world, provided there’s an active internet connection. Unfortunately, unlike the Hydra the Recon can only output up to 10W on each of its five channels but that should still be enough for most of the fans currently on the market. It does however still incorporate the same soft touch bezel as its Hydra sibling.
Our full review of the BitFenix Hydra Pro and Recon can be found below:
BitFenix is busy making an iron clad name for themselves in the enclosure market but they’ve also released a pair of adaptable fan controllers: the entry level Hyrda Pro and the innovative Recon.
The Hydra Pro is a simple, entry level 5-channel fan controller that uses sliders to increase and decrease fan speeds. Priced at just over $30, it is capable of outputting up to 30W per channel and comes equipped with BitFenix’s signature soft-touch finish which is sure to be a great addition to any 5.25” drive bay. BitFenix has also included a handy LED control which can turn off or on any lighting attached to your fans.
BitFenix’s $45 Recon is a different beast altogether. Instead of physical knobs or sliders, it uses an innovative high contrast touchscreen LCD panel and more importantly BitFenix has included the ability to control every feature via the internet. This means fan speeds and temperatures can be effectively control and monitored from anywhere in the world, provided there’s an active internet connection. Unfortunately, unlike the Hydra the Recon can only output up to 10W on each of its five channels but that should still be enough for most of the fans currently on the market. It does however still incorporate the same soft touch bezel as its Hydra sibling.
Our full review of the BitFenix Hydra Pro and Recon can be found below:
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