NZXT Sentry 2 Review

In this review, we will be looking at the next generation in the Sentry fan controller series.  The NZXT Sentry 2 packs a one two punch with being half the size and featuring a touch screen.  Does the Sentry 2 have what it takes to take down the competition?  Let’s find out and see.

With a smaller form factor comes a smaller box.  “Less is more”, is a great way to describe the front box art. 

Like the Sentry LX, the back lists the features in 4 languages and restates all of the information found on the front box art.

Look how sleek and simple the design is.  There are no buttons sticking out to distract the eye from the display.  I am still debating if the NZXT logo should have been colored in with or left like it is.  The picture does a great job of showing the logo but if you don’t have the flash it is hard to see.  I was hoping for the anodized aluminum construction of like the Sentry LX but come to find out that that plastic was used this time around.  The touch screen is protected by a screen protector during shipping.  I was thinking of trying to cut the tab and keep the screen protector on but sadly the Sentry 2 could not register when I pressed on the screen.

Features

    * Touch screen interface

    * Five fan control through an intuitive interface

    * Ultra fast selection and response time

    * Display temperatures in both F and C

    * Light switch turns off the meter when sleeping

    * Automatic and manual modes of control

    * Full compatibility with all types of fans using voltage control

    * With 10 Watts per channel, the Sentry 2 will support almost all high end fans

    * Tuned accuracy with only a tolerance of one degree

    * Sound alarm to alert when the temperature is over

    * Stored settings, the Sentry keeps your settings even after power off

Here is the bag of extra parts, screws, and the user manual.  I have to say that there was not much to the user manual on how to use the Sentry 2.  I recommend checking out NZXT User Guide which can be found here:  http://www.nzxt.com/Download/sentry2.pdf .  It is going to save you the 5-6 minutes it took me to get the hang of the Sentry 2.

The back shows off the two sets of cables for the fans and the temperature probes.  You will also notice on the top right a simple speaker for temperature alarms.  No battery is needed for the Sentry 2 to keep it’s settings.