So, the main question, does it work? Initially I had problems with the unit retaining any of the date and RPM saved info. I believe this was to do with the rechargeable battery not being charged, so if it looks like it’s broken at first, it may just be this phenomenon. Once it was up and running, the Sentry LXE works beautifully. I mean that literally, take a look at it on the desk below:




Again, this is a great looking controller. I should also stress that the screen brightness in real life is much higher than the above shot shows.

I would first recommend a browse of the manual to figure out how to use the controls. They’re not as obvious as you may expect due to the limitations of the touch-sensitive areas. A drag across the RPM scale would have been a nice touch, but instead you must press the channel number twice and then use the +/- buttons at the bottom to alter RPM. I think this helps keep costs down, but it’s not a fluid or quick method to switch between more than one fan. For example, when moving from gaming with your fans at high RPM to sitting back and watching a movie, you may want to alter the RPM of up to 5 fans. On the Sentry LXE, this is a long and tedious process if you use the manual mode. The automatic mode does some of the work for you, and is tied into the temperatures, allowing a minimum setting of 50% RPM. The manual mode allows you to reduce to just 40% RPM, but serious enthusiasts may find even this limiting, especially on higher RPM fans, where other controllers will allow you to reduce fans to a stop. The reason for this limitation is unclear, it must be more of user-orientated decision by NZXT rather than a technical limitation. It does ensure that fans do not stop completely (which may obviously have undesirable effects), which may be something that a novice (or even more seasoned) user would be unaware of.

To get a better feel for the operation of the Sentry LXE, I’ve created a short clip, as seen below. Here I will show how to change the fan RPM, alarm temperature as well as date and time. There are also controls to sound an alarm (a short beep from the speaker mounted on the expansion card), which I’d recommend turning off as it insists on sounding on each boot up. Although somewhat reminiscent of older PCs that beeped loudly on POSTing, it soon grates at you. You can also turn off the screen if you wish, using the power button above the +/- controls. This doesn’t turn off the fans or change any settings, it’s purely to get the bright lights and flicking numbers out of your face if you’ve had enough or it’s late and dark. Personally, it makes a rather handy and attractive screen for a clock and date to be shown too. The update delay can be observed too – 2 seconds.



The video also highlights another point to consider about the responsiveness of the Sentry LXE. The touch buttons are not that sensitive. If you’re used to a smartphone or similar, you’ll find this more akin to pressing a physical button than a gentle tap on the screen. You’ll note how the Sentry LXE tips backwards as I press one of the higher buttons – this is a combination of sensitivity and the centre of gravity being ever so slightly off. On the base of the LXE, there are rubber strips that keep it in place and gripped to a desk. Other reviews have noted that these don’t help and it still slides around, but I have experienced the opposite; it sticks to my wooden desk with no problems at all.

In addition to the lack of responsiveness of the touch buttons, some areas (particularly the +/- buttons) are very small. If you have large fingers this may be yet another source of frustration in using this device. I had no real problems once I was used to the responsive areas, but this can’t be ignored as the +/- buttons are arguably the most important and most used as well as being amongst the smallest. A decision for form over function from NZXT; somewhat of a microcosm of the entire product. Read on for an explanation.