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CoolJag Programmable LED Flash Fan


Date
: 07/6/08 – 08:53:15 PM

Author
:

Category
: Cooling

Page 1 : Index

Manufacturer
: CoolJag USA

Price
: 19.99 @ Heatsink Factory

To be honest, I have never heard of CoolJag before. However, they are popular in Taiwan as a producer of heatsinks and fans.

To case modders, the appearance of their computers might perhaps be even more important than the performance of their components. CoolJag wants to help with their Programmable Mini LED Flash fans.

Page 2 : Package & Specifications

I have CoolJag's 120mm Programmable LED fan today and the package is definitely not conventional. The product doesn't really have a name and one would assume that it's called ‘Flash Your Life’ based on the huge subtitle. Also, we see a stylized representation of the ‘do-it-yourself’ theme behind the fan, showing that you can put your name on the fan.

The specifications are similar to that of any other 120mm fan I've ever seen.

The other side of the package has a clear window that allows a view of the fan.

The bottom shows off the features and lists the package contents.

In case you haven't figured it out yet, the selling point of the CoolJag Programmable LED fan is that you can program it to display text. The display is synchronized with the fan speed so that it is readable and you can even set it up to show effects.

Page 3 : Package Contents

Opening the package lets us get our hands on the seven-bladed clear fan. If you look closely, this side of the fan has a PCB bar across it that has surface mount LEDs. It's a shame the wires aren't sleeved.

Here's a closer look at the PCB bar. These are the LEDs that work all the magic by displaying whatever text you choose. Also, we see CoolJag's branding as well as ‘Everflow’ branding.

The other side of the fan has some information and certifications. The fan is a normal 12V model which draws 0.20 amps of current.

Below the fan, we have a manual with instructions on how to program the fan, a cable for connecting the fan to a USB port for programming, and, of course, a CD containing the flash program. We also get a bag of screws.

Page 4 : Setup

To program the fan, you need to connect it to a USB port and use the flashing program. Looking at the fan, you will notice five holes.

One side of the included connector cable plugs into the five holes and the other side plugs into a USB port on your computer.

Once connected, two of the blue LEDs light up but the fan doesn't spin, of course.

At this point, I went ahead and installed the software.

Finally, the program (called USB DATA INPUT MESSAGE SYSTEM) can be run. In it, you can specify up to four different messages and choose from various effects (patterns) such as ‘fix’, ‘flashing’, ‘left to right’, ‘down and up’ and you can even specify the speed of the effects.

Clicking Burn stores the changes and the fan is now programmed! You can now remove the fan-to-USB connection and install the fan normally, just like you would install a normal 120mm fan.

Page 5 : Testing

Because the CoolJag Programmable LED fan emphasizes aesthetics over performance, I will be taking a similar visual approach. Furthermore, in terms of performance, the fan did not cause any noticeable change in the temperature of my case when I replaced a generic 120mm fan with it. Also, it is relatively quiet though still audible.

Here's a shot of the fan displaying ‘Cool Jag USA’:

The outer LEDs are blue and form a border for the text. The inner LEDs are red and display the text using the effects chosen in the program.

Also, the fan occasionally displays the temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.

The effects are executed well and the text is readable even in daylight. If you want to see the fan in action, YouTube probably has some user-uploaded videos of the fan.

Page 6 : Conclusion

As a minimalist, I normally prefer function over form. However, the CoolJag Programmable Mini LED Flash fan incorporates both. A great 120mm fan, it comes with the added benefit of showing off your individuality with your choice of four different messages of up to 16 characters. Fully clear, the fan allows the text to be emphasized thanks to the blue and red LEDs.

This fan is a sure way to set your case apart from the rest of the pack. I will say this though: if your case doesn't already have a window, this fan is probably not for you.

Advantages:

• Unique

• Personalizable – the options are endless!
• Performance on par with ‘normal’ fans

Disadvantages:

• Expensive for a fan

Overclockers Online would like to thank CoolJag USA for making this review possible.