Steady state running temp vs. fan running temp

[epapp]

Maybe there is something I'm missing about the engine heat, and I haven't thought about it much, but:

Why do the fans turn on at 212 yet the steady state(on the highway, producing heat and getting rid of it passively) is ~190? No matter the temperature, thermostat position etc, shouldn't the fans cycle more closely to the desired steady state? What's the reason for having them so far apart? I can think of only one thing:

-Fan noise kept to a minimum until they really should be on, user comfort?


I'm getting these numbers from an obd readout of what the ecu is reporting.