Goldilocks would surely complain if she were in Singapore: it’s just too hot or cold. Outside, the weather is hot and humid. Indoors, especially in offices and shopping centres, the temperature can be freezing. It’s annoying, uncomfortable and inconvenient.
The solution has arrived in the form of a newly developed device from Sony called Reon Pocket 5 (RNPK–5T). This is actually the fifth iteration of the gadget, but it has been launched for the first time in this country. Apart from Singapore, it is only available in Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the United Kingdom, in addition to Japan and Hong Kong. According to the brand, the previous version was so successful that 10,000 units were sold in three days and sold out after three months.
SG Magazine had the chance to try it out, and after wearing the device for two weeks, we understood why it has been so popular.
Unlike the viral neck fans, Reon Pocket 5 is a wearable cooling and warming device that’s worn at the back of your neck. We love that it’s essentially a two-in-one device that caters to different environments.
Versatile, lightweight and a literal breeze
The new Reon Pocket model features an enlarged thermo-module and a newly structured heat dissipation fan for improved cooling efficiency and airflow compared to the conventional model. Sony claims this offers up to 1.5 times higher cooling performance. Featuring five Cool levels, it can run for up to 1.8 times longer for approximately 7.5 hours at Cool Level 4. Operating noise has been reduced by one-fifith.
While I can’t compare this to older models (since this is the first time I’m trying it out), I noted straight out of the box that the main unit was lightweight (about 153 grams) and small enough to fit in the palm of my hand. It came with a neckband and a separate Reon Pocket Tag which the user is supposed to clip onto clothing (such as a shirt pocket) or bag. Both Reon Pocket 5 and Tag work together to offer the “Smart Cool⇔Warm Mode” function that intuitively adjusts to the ambient temperature by switching between cool and warm modes automatically.
Wearing it at the back of the neck was not uncomfortable although the band required some adjusting. Long and short air vent covers are available – which one to use will depend on your attire and preference. Sony describes that it “fits discreetly under any attire” but there was still a noticeable bulge at the nape.
Charging via the USB-C cable took around two plus hours, which was enough for several hours of use. The device has an Auto Start/Stop function so it automatically powers up when worn or ceases function when set aside. It took less than 10 seconds before I could feel the heat or cold.
How does it work? The Reon Pocket 5 is equipped with five advanced sensors to capture detailed environmental data for an enhanced “personal climate experience”. There are three temperature sensors, one temperature and humidity sensor, and one acceleration sensor to detect motion. The result is an intelligently adaptive system that is managed through an intuitive app tailored to your specific preferences.
The Reon Pocket app turned out to be extremely useful – and highly recommended – even though users can operate the device without it. I could easily check on the battery life, switch to various functions, or change to manual mode where I could adjust the temperature. I had to do just that when in “Smart Cool⇔Warm Mode”, as there were times when the temperature became a little uncomfortable. Under “Warm Mode”, it got hot to the point where I had to wear it over my shirt or switch to manual to lower the temperature.
Still, the device was a godsend when outdoors, and I appreciated the cool temperature against my skin when venturing out under the hot sun or commuting in a crowded train. A midday walk to the hawker centre 10 minutes away did not seem so bad after all. And if you just want to use the fan, you can. Just hit the “Fan Control” menu in the app.
In all, Reon Pocket 5 is a nifty and versatile device that makes hot and cold environments a little more bearable. It costs $249 (RRP) –a little pricey – but definitely worth considering.
Reon Pocket 5 is exclusively available in Singapore at Sony Stores (online and offline) at a recommended retail price of $249. For more information, visit here.
