Just about every PC enthusiast wants a way to monitor their PC's performance and fine tune it as needed, one of the most common "tools" for doing this is with the use of a bay device. Just about all bay devices have a few things in common, temp gauges (LED or analog), fan controllers and input for USB and Firewire. There isn't a whole lot you can do to a bay device to make it unique or stand out from the crowd, or is there?
Logisys has taken the bay device one step further by adding a wireless remote to it. My first reaction to having a wireless remote for your PC was "Why?" Other than the novelty factor I couldn't think of many reasons to need a remote. But then I got to thinking a remote start might not be such a bad idea for a HTPC, especially if you didn't leave it running all of the time.
Specs:
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Remote Control Buttons: Power On and Reset
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Panel Input Power: 5VSB DC, and 12VDC
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Remote Control Input Power: Alkaline Batteries
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Remote Range: 10 to 15ft
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Fan Control: 3 Pin
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Temperature Sensor: 2 Independent Sensors and Meters
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Antenna:Single Telescopic Antenna Included
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Dimension: 14.7 x 4.2 x 10cm, 5.75'x 1.63" x 5.94" (LxWxD)
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Color:Black or Silver
The packaging provides a picture of what the device looks like in both colors it is available in (silver or black) as well as a description of each feature of the panel on the front. The back provides a list of the specifications as well as a wiring diagram. On the sides of the box you will find instructions with pictures for installing the panel.
Inside the package you'll find the panel, instructions, remote, antenna w/ PCI plate, 20 pin adapter for ATX, power and reset wires, 2 thermal probes, 2 fan control wires and USB wire.
Installation:
I've installed numerous bay devices and didn't expect this one to be much different, boy was I wrong. The novelty factor quickly wore off once installation had started. The first step requires the addition of a 20 pin adapter to be plugged into the ATX power plug on the motherboard, then the 20 pin lead from your PSU plugs into that. There is a wire that splits off from the adapter and plugs into the transfer panel and provides power. As long as your motherboard has a standard 20 pin plug this isn't a problem. If you have a newer motherboard with 24 pin plug you'll have to trim off the clip on one side of the adapter just to get it to plug in.
The next step is rerouting the leads from your power and reset buttons so that they can be plugged into the panel. Once these have been plugged in you use the supplied power and reset wires to run from the panel to the motherboard.
The antenna mounts in an available PCI slot at the back of the PC with a wire that runs to the panel. The problem I had here is that the wire is VERY short. It was definitely not intended for use in a full sized case. Even with the antenna installed in the topmost PCI slot I had available, and the panel installed in the lowest space available the wires was stretched tight across the case in order to reach.
The Temp sensors and fan leads are just like any other bay device, place the sensors wherever you like in the case and plug the leads for the fans into whichever two fans you would like to be able to adjust.
It's a good idea to go ahead and test your install at this point and make sure everything still starts and stops like it would normally (using the power button on the case) Once you have verified it works the normal way, test out the remote. The remote can only be used to start or reboot, it does not have a shutdown option.
Once I had everything put back together I tested it out. Using the remote I could start and reboot my PC from about 20 feet away as long as it was in line of sight.
Final Thoughts
For a HTPC the idea of having a way to remote start the computer is a pretty good idea, it also gives you a way to monitor the temps as well as tweak fan speeds without making the PC look tacky or out of place. The inclusion of USB and Firewire also goes right along with the HTPC theme and provides an easy way to transfer files from digital cameras and recorders.
With the amount of wiring involved I'd recommend this be installed in a new build, just to save yourself some headaches and frustrations. The shortness of the antenna lead as well as only having an 20 pin ATX adapter should also be taken into consideration.
Pros: Remote start and reboot, temp sensors and gauges, control 2 fans, front USB and Firewire.
Cons: Installation, short lead for antenna, no 24 pin adapter.
Bottom Line: If you need a way to start your computer remotely this will certainly do the trick, as mentioned though keep in mind it does not have a 24 pin ATX adapter and the lead for the antenna is very short. If I had a smaller HTPC type case I would definitely put this to use, but in a full sized case and using a motherboard with a 24 pin ATX plug it just wasn't worth all of the extra hassle. Unless you need to have a remote, the novelty factor quickly wears off.
If you have any comments, be sure to hit us up in our forums.
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