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

Review: Aerocool Touch 2000

INTRODUCTION

When we want to get serious with the cooling and our pc noise there is an element that becomes indispensable, the rehobus. Thanks to this device control effective and easily computer fans adjusting them according to our requirements. In the market several types of panels, from the simplest equipped with threads for each channel to more complex with where we can see different temperatures and fan rotation speeds color displays.

In this latter group touch panels have been a revitalisation of the sector, providing more functionality to simplify their management. Aerocool is one of the brands is more committed to this kind of panels, and its catalogue are various tactile models, ranging from single-Bay models more complete models of two bays.

Which us today is Aerocool Touch 2000, a generous screen which gives us the ability to control 4 fans touch model 4 temperature probes, and also extends connectivity of our team with an e-SATA port, 2 USB ports and jacks for micro and headphones.

FEATURES

• Large LCD screen (2 x 5.25” bays)
• Innovative "Touch" LCD technology - Stylish "hair brushed" alum front panel w/ Diamond cutting
• Monitors and controls 4 sets of temperature and fan speed individually
• LCD backlight on/off
• Switch between Celsius and Fahrenheit
• Overheating alarm temperature warning
  Fan working display
• "Lock" function provided to prevent careless miss-touch
  1 x e-SATA , 2 x USB , Mic & Headphone

Specifications

• Dimension: 149.5 (W) x85 (H) x 70(D) mm
• LCD viewable area: 115 (W) x 57 (H) mm
• Connectors: 4 x 3-pin connectors / 4 x heat sensors
• Material: Brushed aluminum front bezel w/ steel bracket
• Max wattage per fan channel: 6W

PACKAGING AND ACCESSORIES

The Aerocool panel comes in a compact box cardboard perfectly protected for every eventuality during transport. It has a striking design based on the corporate brand colors and is chaired by a frontal image of the product.

On the packaging we have enough information about the panel, from the most salient features until a graphical summary of what we see on the screen once is running.

Inside are properly protected in a plastic case where also come in different accessories and extras including Touch 2000 unit.

After unpacking everything, this is what we have on the table of the workshop

• Panel Aerocool Touch 2000
• Internal USB cable
• E-SATA cable
• Additional temperature probes
• Audio cable
• Screws
• Adhesive strips
• Documentation/manual

VIEW IN DETAIL

First thing that draws the attention of the panel is its generous dimensions display because it is not very common in this type of device. Also comes with a chrome border that makes further emphasize its size.

The front is finished in black brushed aluminum, which gives it a stronger aesthetics and gives you that extra quality that lack plastic panels. We have in the front screen, an e-SATA port, 2 USB ports, and headphone jacks and microphone.

At the rear is where different connections, and as you can see the most basic connectors already are plugged into the panel. We have 4 probes temperatures, 4 connections for fans and a molex power connector.

The pcb white bottom is where we must connect the cables for the external ports includes. From left to right, USB audio and e-SATA.

OPERATION

With the installed panel and the computer running, we can already see the screen in all its glory. In this model Aerocool unwilling stridence so the data is displayed clearly and its control is really simple and intuitive.

We have corresponding to 4 probes, temperatures in the upper half the logo of the mark, and a lock icon to lock / unlock the pane. We have an icon to switch between Celsius and Fahrenheit, two icons to increase or decrease the speed and temperatures, values in the other half and the rpm which fans are moving.

To control the fan speeds enough to put pressure on you want regular, then the value will begin to blink and we can upgrade or downgrade your speed with the icons of + and -. Also if we clicked on any of the temperatures move mode alarm, where by the icons of + and - we can set a maximum temperature of security. The temperature exceeds that the panel number and the fans connected to the panel rotate at maximum speed.

Finally, if you press the logo mark the screen stops illuminate, although the panel is still running. It is highly recommended if we are playing or watching a movie and not want lights which may annoy us.

CONCLUSION

Aerocool has done a good job with this 2000 Touch. It has a generous screen, is very comprehensive and intuitive, easy-to-install, with a finish in perfect aluminium, and also be a good way to handle our computer cooling, also gives us an extra in the form of external connections.

The only objections are their size, which would be excessive for some users, and its regulation, which depending on the fans use we may be short range. Furthermore is a good alternative for those who are looking for something more than a simple rehobus.

VALUATION

• 7/10 Performance
• 8/10 Functionality
• Price 6/10
• Aesthetics and finishing 7/10

you can shop of this product in

www.digi1.com.au