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Aero Cool GateWatch

     There must be hundreds of front panel fan monitors and controllers on the market, and ClubOC has reviewed a good share of them. Today we have a new controller to introduce from Aero Cool called the GateWatch. What separates the GateWatch from the many other controllers on the market is this one takes up two drive bays and has a HUGE LCD readout that easy to read. Let’s take a look at Aero Cool’s new device and see if it’s worth our hard earned cash!

Specifications

LCD display
4 x fan speed display
4 x alarm temperature display
4 x temperature readings display
Sound active equalizer
Aerosorus with tail movement
Computer working indicator
Channel indicator
Auto and Manual indicator
Fan and temperature indicators of the selected channel
24hr time display
Volume indicator

Buttons
CPU fan and thermal readings button
VGA fan and thermal readings button
Case fan and thermal readings button
HDD fan and thermal readings button
Auto/Manual mode button
Master volume control knob
C / F Display switch
RPM and time set button
Alarm setting button
Fan speed and alarm temperature decrease button
Fan speed and alarm temperature increase button
LCD backlight selection

Up Close/Installation

     The GateWatch may take up 2 drive bays, but there really isn’t that much to it. In fact, the GateWatch is only about a half inch thick. Therefore the only reason for taking up two drive bays is to accommodate the super sized LCD screen. As far as quality goes, the GateWatch comes out on top. The housing is solid and the buttons firm.  

     Now let’s take a look at what the GateWatch actually does for us. The device controls the speed automatically or manually of 4 fans; the CPU, VGA, Case and Hard Drive Fans. The GateWatch also senses temperature of the same 4 areas. When in auto mode, the device uses the temperature sensors to calculate fan speed. In manual mode, the user overrides the thermal sensors and can set the fan speeds manually. If a fan would ever fail, an alarm would go off and the LCD screen flashes red. Very nice…

     One thing about the GateWatch that is a bit unusual for a controller is an audio volume control. This means there is an audio feed, but for some reason the LCD “Sound Active Equalizer” doesn’t actually sense the audio feed. Instead, there is a build in microphone that senses sound inside of your case. So in reality, the LCD “Sound Active Equalizer” is just for looks. This doesn’t make much sense to me at all. Also, since there is already an audio feed in, why not have a headphones jack in the front of the GateWatch? While we’re add it, let’s add a USB port or two. It’s not like there isn’t room…

     Now for the mass of wires in the back... Having a bunch of wires to deal with is just the nature of the beast when dealing with fan controllers. This is why many people who own cases with window mods avoid fan controller. With so many wires, it’s just hard to rout them all neatly.

Conclusion

     The Aero Cool GateWatch is one of the best fan controllers I’ve seen. The quality is top notch, the LCD display is very attractive and the device is very user friendly. Overall, the GateWatch is an excellent device, however it’s not without it’s faults. For a device that takes up 2 drive bays, there is so much more that could be added to the GateWatch. Why not add a headphones jack, USB ports or even a button or two to control light mods?

     For case modders who want the GateWatch, but don’t want to take up 2 drive bays, why not install the GateWatch elsewhere such as in a side panel? For those good at modifying cases, this would be a snap.

     When it comes to price, $55 seems a little much, especially when the device only controls and monitors 4 areas, plus audio. Now if Aero Cool would add a few extras as I mentioned in the review, then I think it would be well worth the price. Regardless, the GateWatch is still a high quality controller with great looks.