Vantec Nexus NXP-205 3.5" Fan Controller

blade · Post by **blade** » Sun Jun 29, 2003 6:14 pm

http://www.pcabusers.com/reviews/vantec/nxp205/p1.html

Vantec gets it right with this one.

Absolut Talent · Post by **Absolut Talent** » Sun Jun 29, 2003 6:24 pm

i might have to give that one a shot and retire its older brother

btw.....when turning the knobs is there any kind of resistance?
or is this the exact same as the one that takes up the 5.25 bay, just smaller in size?

blade · Post by **blade** » Sun Jun 29, 2003 6:31 pm

btw.....when turning the knobs is there any kind of resistance?
or is this the exact same as the one that takes up the 5.25 bay, just smaller in size?

There is noticable resistance.

This one is far different. Look at the pics in the review, you'll see it is made differently and better.

Absolut Talent · Post by **Absolut Talent** » Sun Jun 29, 2003 6:43 pm

i never had any problems with the nexus I got now. Besides the pcb not as big and the siderails not extending back as far, i thought it was the best I have seen

I do like how it is to fit in the floppy space

blade · Post by **blade** » Sun Jun 29, 2003 7:00 pm

Well, this was sent to me from extensiontech:

<i>Well then, our review is delayed, no ETA, because the Pulse Width Modulation timings used on the NXP-205's causes LED fans to flicker. The units have been in R&D for a very long time, but at that time of design, LED fans weren't as popular as they are now. Vantec is looking into fixing the problem as we speak. The NXP-205's have not shipped to resellers according to Vantec also. You'll just have to wait until they fix the problem. The units do work fine with non-LED fans! But to have to say that if you put any LED fan on your unit, they will flicker, is not acceptable to me, nor Vantec. In addition, the variable voltage is supposed to go from 7 volts to 12. Unfortunately, the low volt settings on my review samples only hit 9.1 volts on low. Vantec is aware of this also, and is looking into it. Enough said.</i>

Mine doesn't have those problems. But it is good to know Vantec is looking into that.

I have it connected to 2 led fans now, np at all and no flickering.

*edit

Looking specifically for any flicker, now I see some slight from an led fan. But that is only on low speed.

Sean · Post by **Sean** » Mon Jun 30, 2003 12:06 am

Pretty cool, but I think I'll have to go with the sunbeam one, since it actually shuts off...

BillyGoat · Post by **BillyGoat** » Mon Jun 30, 2003 7:39 am

Thats really nice, and its exactly what i need for that empty floppy bay on the case i just modded..
Good review Mike, is it available retail yet?

blade · Post by **blade** » Wed Jul 02, 2003 5:59 am

Not available yet. They need to work out a few small bugs first.

Vantec has another new one that does control on/off AND has a built-in inverter for cold cathodes. Includes 2 blue ones:
http://www.vantecusa.com/nxp301.html

But it fits a 5.25" bay.

Matrices · Post by **Matrices** » Mon Jul 28, 2003 11:44 pm

Does this thing produce that annoying buzz just like the 5.25 version I own? Also, why can it only hold one fan per channel if each channel holds 18 watts? I really want a rheobus that you don't need to drill left and right for and doesn't buzz when you use it.

blade · Post by **blade** » Tue Jul 29, 2003 6:42 am

No buzz on this one. The first vantec fan controller was a pos, but looks like they learned from their mistakes.

I believe they say to only use one fan per channel is "just in case". Protecting their butt, basically. I tried 2 fans on one channel for a few hours when testing it in another setup, had no problems.

Matrices · Post by **Matrices** » Tue Jul 29, 2003 9:07 am

Cool I will be picking up this unit then.

On my old [current] vantec I've got 4 80mm on one channel. One of my channels no longer works - it's not the one I keep 4 fans on either. It's wierd. Changing its dial has some effect on how fast the fans in the channel next to it go.