Introduction

With my last fan controller review for BitFenix, I covered the basics on what makes for a good fan controller in my opinion. Those are things like controls that aren't easily bumped changing your preferred settings, sleek looks and the controller has to at least be capable of doing the basic job of giving users a one stop place to adjust any fan inside the chassis. BitFenix didn't stop when they brought out the more plainly designed Hydra Pro with its slider style controls, LED lighting controls and an LED to show you that the unit it on. Oh no, they took a huge step further.

In this design, BitFenix does away with the knobs, heck even most of the bezel that gives the Hydra Pro its style. This is all cut out and room is made for a digital touch screen to allow you to have not only a boss looking controller in your chassis, but it certainly does away with any accidental bumps changing fan speeds. I have seen fan controllers like this before, as some NZXT design come to mind. As if it weren't cool enough to offer a digital controller, BitFenix said to themselves, well how else can we make this easier to use? What they came up with is almost ingenious.

With the use of a pair of USB connections, this controller is now directly connected to the PC for communication. This allows for a web based application that will allow you to adjust them from any PC in the house on the same network. Even here BitFenix again take it one step further and offers a smartphone app that will also allow you to control things via the phone. This makes great sense on two levels. One, if the PC isn't in reach, you can just log in and change them from where you are. Two; since everything has an app for it these days, why not do it for their fan controller?

The fan controller we are going to be delving into on the next few pages is the Recon from BitFenix. I pretty much let all of the cats out of the bag in the previous paragraph, so without further ado, let's jump right in with both feet and see just what the Recon has in store for us.