BitFenix Outs a Pair of Fan Controllers

There are fan controllers and then there are fan controllers, and it’s always fun to see some that are a bit tricked out. BitFenix has a pair of them, the Recon and the Hydra Pro.

The Recon’s primo feature is that you can control it over the Internet via a Web browser. The controller features five channels, a touchscreen interface, dual microprocessors for real-time status updates from the motherboard, and the ability to set and recall presets on the fly.


BitFenix built a fan controller that does double duty as an LED controller with the Hydra Pro, which has five thermal channels (30W apiece) and a slider-control interface. It’s designed to work best with BitFenix’s Spectre and Spectre Pro LED fans, which the Hydra Pro can control with just a button push.

The Recon and Hydra Pro fan controllers come in at $39 and $34.90, respectively, and the Recon will be available in North America, Europe, and Australia starting next week. Look for the Hydra Pro this June.

Take total control over your system with two revolutionary fan controllers

(BitFenix Design Lab, May 18, 2012)[/B] - BitFenix is proud to introduce two brand new fan controllers designed to put the user in the driver's seat – Recon™ and Hydra Pro™. Recon is the world's first Internet-connected fan controller, offering total control even on the go. Hydra Pro delivers powerful 30W per channel performance and, when combined with BitFenix Spectre™ and Spectre Pro™ LED fans, convenient push-button LED on/off functionality.

"Users have been clamoring for these two devices for a while now, and I'm proud to report that the wait is finally over," says BitFenix Product Manager David Jarlestedt. "With Recon and Hydra Pro, BitFenix once again takes our disruptive ideas and brings them into a new design space – fan controllers. Offering never-before-seen functionality at competitive price points, Recon and Hydra Pro are set to become the go-to thermal control devices for enthusiasts the world over."

Designed for the new age of mobile devices, Recon is the world's first Internet-connected fan controller. After installing the included Windows-based software, this five-channel fan controller enables users to connect to it using smartphones, tablets or laptops via the Internet. Once connected, users can monitor and adjust their fans and temperatures via their mobile device. Best of all, the mobile interface is browser-based, which means it is compatible with virtually any mobile operating system, including iOS, Android, or Windows. At home, the easy-to-use touchscreen interface displays current system temperatures and fan speeds, while giving easy access to the Recon's advanced functionality.

Recon sports two specially-designed microprocessors that continuously interact with your motherboard, providing real-time status monitoring and control. Users can also save presets and recall up to three presets on-the-fly, making quick adjustments push-button simple. And to keep things looking awesome, Recon's SofTouch™ bezel delivers a luxurious matte finish and soft feel. With Recon, users are always in total control of their system – even on the go.

Two devices in one, Hydra Pro combines a powerful fan controller with an LED control device. Its five thermal channels deliver up to 30W of power each, and are easily controlled via low-profile sliders that make it compatible with a wide variety of cases – even those with doors.

But when coupled with BitFenix Spectre and Spectre Pro LED fans, Hydra Pro really begins to shine. Users can connect their Spectre and Spectre Pro LED fans to Hydra Pro using the two pin cable that comes with every Spectre and Spectre Pro LED fan. Once connected, users can control fan LEDs with a single button push. Featuring signature BitFenix SofTouch™ surface treatment on the outside, Hydra Pro makes an attractive addition to virtually any system.

Pricing and Availability

BitFenix Recon carries an MSRP of 34.90€ in the EU, $39 in North America, and will be available at the following retailers starting next week. BitFenix Hydra Pro carries an MSRP of 30€ in the EU, $34.90 in North America, and will be available in early June.