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:
-
Remote Control Buttons: Power On and Reset
-
Panel Input Power: 5VSB DC, and 12VDC
-
Remote Control Input Power: Alkaline Batteries
-
Remote Range: 10 to 15ft
-
Fan Control: 3 Pin
-
Temperature Sensor: 2 Independent Sensors
and Meters
-
Antenna:Single Telescopic Antenna Included
-
Dimension: 14.7 x 4.2 x 10cm, 5.75'x 1.63"
x 5.94" (LxWxD)
-
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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