14 DAY TRIAL // Fan controllers are usually pretty simple accessories to high-end PCs, but there are ways to give them sophistication and versatility too, and Scythe seems to have put all of them into practice.
The company has formally launched the Kaze Master Flat II fan controller, a successor to the original Kaze Master Flat.
It can work in several modes and has four channels, as well as a bunch of different functions that can be applied to the fans on the other end of the links.
You can switch between the modes, channels and functions by using the "mode" button located in the upper left corner of the front panel (the fan controller occupies a single 5.25-inch drive bay).
That's just one of four controls though, all of which are touch-sensitive. For all of Scythe’s eagerness to release a truly good fan controller, it didn't integrate a fully touch-capable front panel.
Still, there is a second button, on the bottom left corner, which can mute alerts or alarms if needed, or turn off certain notifications. The alarm will set off when a connected fan suddenly fails for whatever reason (poor connector setup, busted wires, etc.)
On the right side, there are the modifier buttons, which are used when you want to adjust fan behavior based on temperature, voltage and the speed itself.
So the Kaze Master Flat II works like this: the Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD, covers most of the front panel) shows the information, like fan speed (0 to 9,999 RPM), voltage, and temperatures.
When you want to change a setting, you can adjust fan speed by modifying the channel voltage between 3, 7 and 12 Volts.
It doesn't matter if the fan you're adjusting has a 3-pin or 4-pin connector, they're all supported, even if they have a higher power draw than usual (3 amps per channel, 36 watts).
Moreover, the four channels will measure temperature from zero to 100 degrees Celsius / 32 to 199.9 degrees Fahrenheit. 50 to 90 degree Celsius is the preferred temperature limit (131 to 194° Fahrenheit), with the dip-switch capable of recognizing 5-degree steps.
In case you were wondering, the display measures 20 x 118 mm / 0.79 x 4.65 inches. That's a bit larger than the original Kaze Master Flat, making fan speeds easier to read.
Finally, the Scythe Kaze Master Flat II fan controller should be up for order in the United States (except Texas for some reason) for the price of €26 / $36.
