Review: Aerocool Cool Panel III card reader

Introduction

Today we have the opportunity to review the third series of AeroCool CoolPanel card readers; the CoolPanel 3. With a sleek black design and color LCD display it is sure to make most any case out there. This multi-function panel gives its user the ability to view sound levels, three selected temperatures and view three fan speeds. In addition to these great features the panel offers two USB ports, an eSATA port, HD audio jacks and a 56-in-1 card reader. Read on further to see what else is inside.

Features

- Multi-functional panel
- Include 2 x USB ports, 1 x e-SATA port, 56 in 1 card reader, Audio and Mic
- Color LCD fan controller which detects and controls 3 sets of fan speeds and temperatures
- Automatic fan control only
- Manual setting for alarm temperature
- Switch b/w Celsius and Fahrenheit
- Alarm temperature warning

Specifications

Dimension: 148.6 (W) x 42.8 (H) x 65 (D) mm
LCD viewable area: 65 (W) x 15 (H) mm
Ports: USB 2.0 x 2, e-SATA x 1, 56 in 1 card reader, Mic & Headphone
Connectors: 3-pin 3 wires fan required

56 in 1 card reader

CF Slot:
CF-Type I, CF-Type II, CF-Ultra II, HS CF,
Micro Drive, CF-Pro, CF-Pro II, CF-Extreme, CF-Extreme III,
CF-PSP II, CF-Super, CF-Ultra X
MS Slot:
MS, MS-Magic Gate, MS-PRO Magic Gate,
HS-MS-PRO Magic Gate, MS-DUO, MS-DUO Magic Gate,
MS-PRO Duo, HS-MS-PRO Duo, MS-PRO Duo-PSP,
MS-PRO Duo-Gaming
SD Slot:
SD, SDC, SD-Pro, SD-Pleomax, SD-Pro C,
SD-Ultra, SD-Ultra II, SD-Ultra II Plus, SD-Extreme III,
SD-Ultra X, SD-Turbo, SD-Super, SD-Max, Mini SD,
Mini SD-Pro, Mini SD-Pleomax.MMC, MMC-Pleomax,
MMC Pro, HS-MMC, MMC Plus, MMC-Plus Turbo, RS MMC,
RS MMC-Pleomax, RS MMC-Speed,RS MMC-Max,
MMC Mobile, MMC Mobile-ProC, MMC Mobile-Pocketnet,
Micro SD, SDHC
SM Slot:
XD READY, XD (M), XD (H), Smart Media

Packaging

The AeroCool CoolPanel 3 comes packaged in quite a small container. The product features cover the front of the box along with an image of the product and the product name. The two smaller sides explain the features in seven different languages while one of the longer sides lists the supported card slots. The back of the box gives a great overview of the parts of the device and even lists the short list of specifications.



 
Once the flip top lid is opened the manual, driver CD and card reader are shown. All of the necessary cables are found underneath the cardboard insert.

 

Overview

The AeroCool CoolPanel 3 Internal Card Reader is small yet powerful. With a whopping 56-in-1 card reader, 2 USB ports, an eSATA port and HD audio connections it sure leaves the feature list a plenty. In addition to this standard card reader inputs the CoolPanel 3 offers a color LCD which displays up to three fan speeds and three temperature sensors. This LCD screen does allow you to switch between Celsius and Fahrenheit and even allows you to set a temperature alarm.

Starting on the left side of the panel there are the two USB ports stacked on top of each other with the eSATA port below them. In the center of the device we have the color LCD display on top of the 56-in-1 card reader (to see which cards are supported see the specifications). On the right side of the panel are two buttons which adjust temperature alarms and can switch between C and F. Below these are the HD microphone and headset inputs.

 

 

A side view shows the small size of the device. The plastic siding is just long enough to attach up to four screws, included, to the case. A back view shows us that two sets of cables are already connected to the device; these would be the temperature sensors and fan attachments.



 

 



Since there are two USB slots on the panel they have their own dedicated USB cable and the card reader has its own separate single 4-pin connection which be found closer to the middle of the device. I think they would have been better off with a single USB cable that would support the USB slot and the card readers rather than giving the extra cable to attach to the motherboard. The last available connection for this device is the HD/AC97 audio connector found on the left side.

 

 

Installation and Usage

Installation is fairly easy for the device, but if you have any problems don't try resorting to the Manual because it's utterly useless. It's easier to install the device, especially if you have other drives near to the panel, if you attach the cables prior to installing it. Once you've got the cables attached just slide it into an empty bay on your case and attach it either via the four screws included with the CoolPanel 3 or your cases screwless attachment. Then attach your fan connectors and wire your temperature sensors to their desired locations.

 

 The cables are labeled so it makes wiring the cables easier and makes it easier to understand once your case is closed.

 

 The usage is pretty self explanatory. The LCD display shows the three fans, with labels, and their fan speeds. If a fan isn't connected or it isn't running the display will show four zeros as the speed. The three temperature sensors are displayed in full degrees and can be switched by pressing down both of the buttons at the same time.

 


A nice little addition to this LCD display is the audio sensor which can let you know simply how loud your PC is or you can check out the sound levels of your PC whenever you're playing games or music.

In the dark it's easy to spot light bleeding from the LCD panel through the CF slot. While I don't find it a big deal someone else might.





When attaching cards beware that they don't go in completely into the panel, so it probably wouldn't be a good idea to use this panel for Vistas' ReadyBoost or using a card for extended periods of time because you just might brush up against it and break your card.

Testing

In our testing we used two programs: HD Tune 2.55 and SiSoftware's Sandra Lite 2009 SP1. We will be testing both USB and eSATA connection speeds for a 320GB Western Digital Caviar 16MB Cache Hard Drive. Here are the eSATA tests:



 And the USB results:

 

The transfer rates were about the same compared to external drives that we've reviewed. Although the SiSoftware eSATA rates were a little lower than expected the USB results were still about average and even higher than normal with the HD Tune results.

Conclusion

The AeroCool CoolPanel 3 is a great multi-function device. Unlike some other panels the CoolPanel 3 offers not only 1, but 2 USB slots, an eSATA port, 56-in-1 card reader and HD audio jacks. The colored LCD display makes it all the better with the display of temperatures, fan speed and noise level. Although it isn't that in depth it still gives a general idea of what's going on inside of your case without having to turn your monitor on.

VALUATION

• Performance 9/10
• Features 9/10
• Price 9/10
• Presentation and design 9/10

Product can be shop in

www.digi1.com.au