Elite ARIA Smart Fan: Details // Wind Tested // Making a Smart Fan Smarter!

[@74_Green]

£289 GEEEEEEZZZZUSS!

[@gplama]

Yep. This is the most highlighted feature.

[@bathsalts1st]

@@gplama hard pass for me. to much $ temp thing would not work well with my ice vest. bath salts is in Zone 1 it thinks, real life dying in Zone 6

[@74_Green]

@@gplama And I have brought the Zwift Play controllers...I will stick to using my 15+ yo WAHL fan that cost £10! Whilst it is alive.

[@74_Green]

I like Elite, I like my Direto, but that's just silly money.

[@crossroads4762]

I've been a smart fan of this channel for years!😉

[@Grizzrock]

Great point about it acting as a wind simulator when synched to speed. Availability is almost zero here in Europe at the moment, most online stores suggesting delivery in January

[@dan0368]

Neat tech, but I can't justify it. My $70 vacmaster aero, which comes with a remote, has been phenomenal. Even allowed me to train indoors during the summer when I wanted to.

[@percyveer2355]

same here. i have tried many fans, i find the reasonably cheap tower fan to be satisfactory. i'd rather pay about £50 and maybe be a little hotter, than pay 2-300 for little benefit.

[@TheLazyGarden3r]

I've never been on the turbo and thought you know what I want, less air right now. Just doesn't happen. I stick my Vacmaster on full about 5 minutes into my ride via a wireless plug and thats it. Just can't justify the price for this thing.

[@SnappyWasHere]

I am blown away. 💨😂😂

[@DanTuber]

by the price?

[@steve-d0]

Be interested to see how the Jet Black Trainer Fan compares to these more "premium" fans. It seems to be in a more budget friendly price range.

[@gplama]

Stay tuned! I have one here in a box.

[@steve-d0]

@@gplama just saw the review (looks 1/2 decent) will have to grab one from 99 once the Xmas vouchers arrive. 😁

[@SnappyWasHere]

I’m just here for the wind puns and jokes!

[@gplama]

Nothing to see here sorry.

[@nationsnumber1chump]

I just have an industrial carpet fan on a stand above my computer monitor with a smart plug/remote. I hate having to lean forward to turn it to the 2nd speed when I'm racing. But for training its pretty good on the 1st mode until we have to turn the furnace on to heat the house. Then I close the room vent and sometimes open the north facing window. My only complaint is that it is a bit noisy. My brother trains right next to me so the window is a must at times. We have a home theater speaker set up too but probably annoys the neighbors and people walking their dogs. Recently invested in a battery backup for the computer just in case the power surges when it gets really cold out, hopefully zwift will be able to save my ride before shutting down.

[@floydie9255]

Vacmaster do remote control version of their fan, its a small wireless remote that fits on your handlebars and you can select any of the 3 speeds or turn it off. I've had one for 18 months and its a life saver.

[@jareou]

Great video Mr. Miller. It's all about the technology, but does it really make a difference? I had the wahoo fan, but returned it. I brought a 5 speed variable fan with height adjustment, rotation and remote control for $80. The variables for a $300 plus fan IMO is not worth. I get cool air when and where I need it.

[@gplama]

As mentioned in the introduction, there’s many ways to skin the cooling cat. The ‘smart’ just adds convenience. What people are wiling to pay for that convenience… up to them. It’ll be interesting to see if the price remains. Most of the feedback is focused on that alone.

[@jimhansen5395]

Intriguing. I have a Headwind. I wish it had more adjustability (angle). But I can live with it until someone comes out with something like this that actually has smarthome integration (not just off and on.. i mean full on integration)

[@richardelsdon2027]

Have you/anyone done a comparison of the vertical’ wind profile’. My cheap fan just cools my face, or torso, or legs. Not all 3. Goes does a headwind / elite compare?

[@gplama]

I’m going to need a smoke machine! 🧐

[@funk44]

An industrial fan from bunnings connected to a smart plug does the job for me

[@Antti5]

My main problem with this form factor is that they are TOO directional unless you have enough space to place it quite far from your front wheel. Compare this to a 50 cm floor fan that moves a lot of air, and even when placed right in front of your front wheel they hit both your upper body and your face. You can squeeze your whole setup into less than 2 square meters.

[@jameswillett118]

Looks cool, was hoping to see some leaf blowing at the end.👍

[@jamesmckenzie3532]

I bought a USD 69 all metal floor fan the will blow my hair back. I find it interesting that folks will spend three times this amount for a way smaller fan...

[@leedixon2113]

​ @gplama thanks for the video. As you've used the fan, do you know whether the fan will maintain it's connection to the phone app (remote control) constantly or does it self disconnect periodically if there's no activity from the user? My kickr fan drives me mad sometimes, the fan itself is fantastic, it's the control of it that's frustrating. To clarify what I mean, if I have the zwift companion app open and with focus on the phone, the phone screen doesn't lock and the connection is maintained so that it works instantly when I want it. With the kickr fan, I connect the phone and set the fan how I want it, then even though the app is at the forefront, after a time the screen blanks, when racing this is really bad, then once you've unlocked the screen, the app needs to reconnect to the fan, by the time this has all happened, the break is up the road and the race lost. how does this fan perform in that respect, will it stay connected to the app and will the app keep the phone screen unlocked? Many thanks 👍

[@TAnderson-v4d]

Off topic question: Tacx Neo's Isotonic & Isokinetic functionality, have you ever asked Tacx why they have never introduced the ability to use these in their training apps? Isokinetic would be great for Hiit training and variable control of Isotonic good for developing pedalling efficiency.

[@gplama]

There's a LOT Tacx (now Garmin) haven't done. I believe they hinted at the Neo 2 having onboard memory/storage for future expansion. Nothing came of it. The 2T is over four years old now.... and give it a few hours for some news to land from another trainer company and the 2T will look even more aged.

[@tanderson278]

The only unique Neo technology that is available is road feel, which I and probably 95% of others disable😮‍💨

[@AndrewTSq]

as someone who does programming a lot of ble devices (also made one that reads my pulseband).. this seems like a very big extra for a $5 "smart" controller.. But yes, they charge what people are willing to pay for them. smart people :)

[@dark_drama_llama1170]

I use 3 basic fans that cost me a total of less than €50. Works just fine

[@kerryphelvin8503]

OTT!. I have a Jetblack and it does a great job, at a palatable cost

[@Lukas-bl9wy]

4 cheap fans + smart outlet 🙌

[@CoffeeTip]

Looking forward to see if you get your hands on the JetBlack trainer fan for a review. At $154 AUD (on sale now) it is a great alternative to industrial fans. I have it and love it! Only comparing with a cheap $20 Kmart fan though!

[@gplama]

Stay tuned. I have their new indoor accessories here to look into shortly.

[@kay_jay_em]

Industrial with a smart plug is the way to go.

[@johntrussell7228]

Kickr fan is the best. Has an industrial motor and moves an incredible amount of air.

[@percyveer2355]

have you reviewed the temp sensor, that looks like an interesting piece of kit.

[@gplama]

I've had it for a few years now. It's kind of clunky and troublesome to be honest. And every time I go to use it it needs to be frickin' charged. I'm skeptical about the application of it. When I'm hot, I know it.

[@percyveer2355]

@@gplama thank you for that, i'll give it a pass. i'll stick to the age old method of understanding whether i'm hot :D. keep up the great work with your channel

[@euroswilliams7303]

Having a remote for manual control without having to use a flipping app would be great

[@kh-rx2il]

several basic fans is best

[@liegs009]

This should be a full-on air conditioner for the price!

[@c799651]

Keen to know how easy it is to use with mulitple users ie pair/switch Heart Rate Sensors

[@gplama]

I believe it’s 1:1 for sensors. I’ll dig into the app and update this comment if it allows more.

[@titaniumben9923]

If I had the disposable income it's something I'd buy. Although I'd prefer they spent some R&D on making it quiter at 100%.

[@74_Green]

"COOL" Beachball ;)

[@LouieBaLLz]

This "premium" fan reminds me of an old Apple meme. It was a picture of a mug worth $5. But the same mug with an Apple logo is $350. I would rather buy 5 $60 Lasko high velocity pivoting utility blower fans and have 360 degree "premium" air blown on me.

[@luckyluka79]

Vacmaster 54 (54kmh), 80€

[@vongdong10]

Trainer fans are ridiculous. I got a cheap 50cm 3 speed floor fan for like $60 off amazon. It's a little on the loud size but moves a ton of air. As if I would want to simulate head winds on an indoor ride. Fan is there for cooling.

[@BeeblebroxTV]

Nice, but just like the Wahoo Headwind this Elite Aria is priced WAAAY too high to be justifiable! The Vacmaster Cardio54 by comparison is regularly available for about $75/£75 and is basically the same core unit as the Aria, except the Aria has a slightly better air shape and some fancier pairing/software features compared to the remote control fob approach of the Cardio54. No way that justifies and extra ~$200/200, both Wahoo & Elite are just price gouging!

[@Never_unknown]

I'm not a fan.

[@TAnderson-v4d]

Surely, a truly smart fan would be controlled by sweat sensors?

[@bubbachua]

Shane why didn’t you test the wind speed of the aria vs Kickr headwind at max levels?

[@gplama]

Time.

[@patg5527]

I have a remote controlled wall fan. Cost $70 and sits above my tv in the pain cave. No idea why you would need these “smart fans” that do less of a job for at least 4 times the price?

[@Xalies]

The problem with these trainer fans is that they just don't provide enough features and/or difference to justify their price. I have a Arlec smart floor fan, has an app and works with Google and Alexa and that was only $150 Aus .... I think at least make them seem a bit more worth it by having basic smart fan features(power, speed etc...), then on top throw their trainer features. I remember I thought setting my fan up for wind sim would be great..... bad idea (I set this up using home assistant/nodered), This needs to be a hybrid setup with speed and power inputs so it also ramps up on alpe

[@jamesjordan3382]

Totally agree. got the new Jet Black fan - its directional, has a IR Remote control and costs about a 1/5 of the ones with lots of features that I cant see anyone really using.

[@DanBirasi]

Prefer my 80 € Amzon fan with remote control.

[@indianajonze]

idc if it uses it or not, the core body temp sensor is the single worst thing i've ever bought in the fitness equipment category. $400 to tell me that i'm 100.1 to 100.6 while cycling. gee, thanks...

[@gplama]

I'm not exactly sold on it either. The human body is a pretty good judge of temperature (and self regulation of it). I'm not seeing any breakthroughs in performance attributed to it. Maybe it'd be more useful if the tech/sensor was built into a HR strap and cost only a few $ extra.... maybe.

[@juan294]

I can't stop thinking that several people worked hard to make this fan ugly as hell. Come on Elite! It's not even a sexy product category and you managed to lower the bar.

[@garethskwarczek]

Completely unnecessary and just my mind going mad, but imagine having this on a steering plate, paired to the steerzo(sp?) and the fan moving as you turn, giving even more real world feeling.

[@bikedawg]

Fan noise is irritating. Why can't these manufacturers design fans that are a lot more quiet?

[@gplama]

I can only assume they'd need to be a lot larger to produce the same amount of airflow with less noise. There's always going to be a balance between size/performance/sound.

[@bikedawg]

@@gplama Hey Shane--I contacted Elite regarding if the Justo can be set with zero resistance so I can properly adjust the RD, they said no. I asked to see if they can talk to their engineers and do some kind of sw upgrade--its not hard to do. I find it astounding that some of these trainer manufacturers can't think of some basic things that should be a design requirement. If I knew what the api specs are, i'd try to write something myself.....

[@Artur.Chmielewski]

Hoho 😂

[@bighammer3464]

The directionality of the fan is a huge turn off. I don’t only get hot on my face or my arm or where I’m pointing the fan. A fan that covers a larger area is far better to cover the legs chest face and arms. Pass

[@gplama]

It's all about positioning. Moving the fan back and turning it up a little more covers head/torso/arms/legs.

[@bikedawg]

Super expensive! Better off buying a HEPA filter blower.

[@tobias3919]

Is there any really smart fan? And by smart i mean powered by my pedaling instead of using additional electricity while my 'smart' trainer also requires juice just to convert my generated power into heat ... Really I say that is just stupid. What I mean i really love to buy a trainer that make at least some of my input useable. Luke at least charge my phone in a 1 hour session.

[@harrybbbb]

Of all the overpriced cycling bullshit these smart fans take the biscuit.