Bluegears b-COOL and b-ice Computer Fans<base href="http://www.atruereview.com/" /> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="http://www.atruereview.com/images/favicon.ico" /> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1" /> <link href="http://www.atruereview.com/templates/rt_versatility_iii/css/template_css.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" /> <link href="http://www.atruereview.com/templates/rt_versatility_iii/css/style10.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" /> <link href="http://www.atruereview.com/templates/rt_versatility_iii/slimbox/slimbox.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" /> <link href="http://www.atruereview.com/templates/rt_versatility_iii/css/rokmoomenu.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" />  <link rel="shortcut icon" href="http://www.atruereview.com/images/favicon.ico" /> <style type="text/css"> td.left div.moduletable, td.right div.moduletable, td.left div.moduletable-hilite1, td.right div.moduletable-hilite1, td.left div.moduletable-hilite2, td.right div.moduletable-hilite2, td.left div.moduletable-hilite3, td.right div.moduletable-hilite3, td.left div.moduletable-hilite4, td.right div.moduletable-hilite4, td.left div.moduletable-hilite5, td.right div.moduletable-hilite5, td.left div.moduletable-hilite6, td.right div.moduletable-hilite6, td.left div.moduletable-hilite7, td.right div.moduletable-hilite7, td.left div.moduletable-hilite8, td.right div.moduletable-hilite8 { width: 175px; 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The b-ice is available in either blue or silver. Both color models plastic fan cage and 7-blade fan are chromed to the color of the fan. Embedded in inside the four corners of the fan cage are blue LEDs. A Molex power plug is used to power the b-ice and these LEDs.</P> <P align="center"><a href="atruereview/fans/i3.jpg"><img src="atruereview/fans/i3th.jpg" width="219" height="250" border="0" alt="BlueGears b-COOL and b-ice Computer Fans" title="BlueGears b-COOL and b-ice Computer Fans"></a><br> <font size="-1">Click on image for larger picture</font></P> <P> BlueGears' b-COOL is an 80mm "temperature display" fan. It consists of a standard blue, semi-transparent, 7-blade fan with a spinning LED display module mounted on top the fan's intake side. The spinning LED display consists of a row of 8 LEDs. As the fan spins, each LED flashes in discrete patterns. The end result is the appearance of an array of characters displayed right inside the fan.</P> <P align="center"><a href="atruereview/fans/c3.jpg"><img src="atruereview/fans/c3th.jpg" width="250" height="183" border="0" alt="BlueGears b-COOL and b-ice Computer Fans" title="BlueGears b-COOL and b-ice Computer Fans"></a><br> <font size="-1">Click on image for larger picture</font></P> <P>As the b-COOL fan spins, the temperature (in Celsius) of the air passing through the fan as well as the word "Cool" is displayed inside the fan. In addition, as the fan spins, its outer edge lights up as well. (Just look at the picture to fully understand the description). The b-COOL is available in three LED color models: white outer edge with red letters, white outer edge with blue letters, and blue outer edge with red letters.</P> <P align="center"><a href="atruereview/fans/c6.jpg"><img src="atruereview/fans/c6th.jpg" width="250" height="250" border="0" alt="BlueGears b-COOL and b-ice Computer Fans" title="BlueGears b-COOL and b-ice Computer Fans"></a><br> <font size="-1">Click on image for larger picture</font></P> <P>The b-COOL uses a 3-pin power plug. A 3-pin to Molex adapter is conveniently included with the fan.</P> <P><B>Performance, Installation and Suggestions:</B></P> <P> BlueGears's b-ice 120mm LED chrome fan is a relatively quite fan with a rated noise output of 24.6dBA. Compared to a LED fan with transparent fan blades, the b-ice's chrome fan reflects the LED's light with minimal diffusion. The resulting lighting pattern looks like four mini light sabers. In my opinion this lighting effect is very nice, though it is only visible from one side (the intake side).</P> <P align="center"> <a href="atruereview/fans/i4.jpg"><img src="atruereview/fans/i4th.jpg" width="246" height="250" border="0" alt="BlueGears b-COOL and b-ice Computer Fans" title="BlueGears b-COOL and b-ice Computer Fans"></a><br> <font size="-1">Click on image for larger picture</font> </P> <P>The b-ice fan has the standard 25mm thickness. As so, it should be compatible with any computer case's fan mounts that support 120mm fans. This includes any type of tool-less fan cages as well as simple screw hole mounting. Four screws are included with the fan for such installations.</P> <P> BlueGears' b-COOL temperature display fan is also a fairly quiet fan with a rated noise output of 25dBA. Though I found the fan to be noticeably audible, it is by no means noisy. </P> <P>The touted spinning LED display is truly an amazing sight to behold. As good as the fan may look in pictures, seeing this fan work in person is so much cooler. As mentioned earlier, the display outputs the word "COOL" as well as the current ambient temperature. The display steadily scrolls clockwise as the fan spins. It is quite visible even in a well-lit environment. At the same time, in a dark environment, the display is not blindingly bright. The LED display, however is only visible on one side of the fan (the intake side). In my experience, the LED display works without problem even when the fan is slowed down with a fan controller. The only thing I noticed was the LED's brightness was dimmed a bit.</P> <P align="center"><a href="atruereview/fans/c7.jpg"><img src="atruereview/fans/c7th.jpg" width="250" height="247" border="0" alt="BlueGears b-COOL and b-ice Computer Fans" title="BlueGears b-COOL and b-ice Computer Fans"></a><br> <font size="-1">Click on image for larger picture</font> </P> <P>Though the actual fan part of the b-COOL temperature display fan is of the standard 25mm thickness, the added spinning LED display component increases the fan's thickness by around 50%. This effectively makes the fan incompatible with most types of 80mm tool-less fan cages. Furthermore, because the spinning display is mounted on the intake side of the fan, a simple screw installation is limited to only the exhaust side. Given all that, the best use of the b-COOL fan seems to be as a rear exhaust fan. Assuming your computer case has a window, the rear exhaust setup would allow for the best view of the b-COOL's temperature display. This setup is additionally ideal as it would basically allow the fan to display the current temperature inside the case.</P> <P align="center"><a href="atruereview/fans/c5.jpg"><img src="atruereview/fans/c5th.jpg" width="250" height="118" border="0" alt="BlueGears b-COOL and b-ice Computer Fans" title="BlueGears b-COOL and b-ice Computer Fans"></a><br> <font size="-1">Click on image for larger picture</font> </P> <P><B>Conclusion:</B></P> <P> BlueGears's b-COOL temperature display fan is truly a standout product. It is one of the most unique case fans I have ever seen. Its spinning LED temperature display will give a great visual appeal to any computer with a windowed case.</P> <P> BlueGears's b-ice is also a very nice fan. Though it is not as innovative as the b-COOL, b-ice's chrome plus LED design results in a distinctive visual effect. Furthermore, because it is of standard dimensions for a 120mm fan, it can be installed anywhere a 120mm fan can.</P> <P><B>b-COOL</B></P> <blockquote> <p><B>Pros:</B></p> <ul> <li>Awesome Spinning LED display</li> <li> Displays current temperature </li> <li>3-pin to molex adapter is included </li> </ul> <p><B>Cons:</B></p> <ul> <li>Limited installation options</li> </ul> <p><strong>Rating:</strong></p> <blockquote> <p>Excellent</p> </blockquote> <p>(Ratings Possible: Terrible, Very Bad, Bad, Fair, Good, Very Good, Excellent)</p> </blockquote> <P><B>b-ice</B></P> <blockquote> <p><B>Pros:</B></p> <ul> <li>Quiet operation</li> <li>Distinct chrome plus LED look </li> </ul> <p><B>Cons:</B></p> <ul> <li>None</li> </ul> <p><strong>Rating:</strong></p> <blockquote> <p>Very Good</p> </blockquote> <p>(Ratings Possible: Terrible, Very Bad, Bad, Fair, Good, Very Good, Excellent)</p> </blockquote> <table align="center" border="1" width="75%"> <tbody> <tr bgcolor="#0066ff"> <td><div align="center"><strong><font color="#ffffff">More Information</font></strong></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <div align="center"><a href="http://atruereview.pricegrabber.com/search.php?topcat_search=1&form_keyword=bluegears+fan&Search=Search">Compare Prices</a></div></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p align="left"><a href="atruereview/fans/index.php"></a> <a href="fans/index.php">Previous (Introduction & Conclusion)</a></p> </div> </td> </tr> </table> </div> <div id="footer" class="clr"> <div class="rk-1"> <div class="rk-2"> <div id="the-footer"> <script type="text/javascript"> var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? 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