The Mistral has a silver wire with a white body and white USB plug. The part of the fan connected to the rotating blades is silver, and the center of the blades has a small light that says “boynq” across the surface. Apparently white is the “femme” model, because the Mistral is also available in black. Both look very sleek; and I would say either color is unisex.
The Mistral is very easy to use. Plug it in, turn it on, and it’s ready to go. Compared to my tacky clip-on fan, the Mistral runs at least twenty-five percent faster and has the added advantage that it is attached to a flexible wire. I’m not sure what the purpose of the light in the middle is for, perhaps so that if you’re using it in the dark (like a LAN?) you don’t stick your hair in it by accident.
The on/off switch is handy, but presents the same problem as the on/off switch on the D’light. Basically, if you have fat fingers, you’re screwed. The switch is so tiny that it’s hard to not break it off unless you’re five years old. A minor problem, but one worthy of noting.
The blades are child and pet friendly, so if someone sticks a finger or tail into the fan, the blades will only slap the offending appendage. Just don’t try hair…or tongues… ouch.
I’m not sure that the fan is worth buying. Although it is a neat gadget, its uses are limited. It needs a USB port, so your only option is using it with a computer. The fan is also small so it doesn’t provide air flow to the rest of your body, like, say, your sweaty armpits or feet. Home uses are limited, since it’s just easier to turn on a box fan that cools down a room for around the same price. The only use I can think of that wouldn’t be excruciatingly nerdy would be at a LAN party, where half of the people don’t usually wear deodorant anyway. It could be a “scent distributor”, for better or for worse (wink).
The Mistral fan is sleek and compact, but its uses are limited. It would be a great gift idea for the gadget lover in your family, or for yourself if you think it would be worth it.
 |
 |
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
