Smart Strip LCG3 Energy Saving Surge Protector with Autoswitching Technology, 10-Outlet
|
List Price: Our Price: $32.95 You Save: $18.77 (36%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $27.00 (click here) Category: Tools See more product details |
|---|
Tools and Hardware Reviews of Smart Strip LCG3 Energy Saving Surge Protector with Autoswitching Technology, 10-Outlet
Customer Review: Great Product - But caution if intend to use will a Dell laptop
Summary: 5 Stars
Check the manufacturer's website if you intend to use this with a Dell laptop as your "control" device. It does not work with certain laptop models. It worked beautifully with one of my laptops, but not with the other.Customer Review: Great idea
Summary: 4 Stars
This does just as it says. In my case, my surround sound system stopped responding to remote controls (it's not the remote itself; I've tried several). But with this power strip, when I turn my TV on or off, now the surround sound goes on or off with the TV. A much cheaper alternative to buying a whole new surround sound system. And now when I set the sleep-timer on my TV, the audio system turns off with it.Customer Review: Great if you get a recent model - but there are multiple versions of this product
Summary: 5 Stars
Beware that there are multiple revisions of this surge protector. The first 2 I got came in fairly old school packaging (boring blue box, no mention of equipment warranty) and they did not work very well. Within a few days usage the sensitive adjustment would keep on decreasing its effectiveness until basically the unit was on all the time regardless of the power draw.
The third one I got came in a blue/green box with a slick logo and a mention of the equipment warranty - it works great! It's really fantastic and once calibrated it works perfectly with my PC whether it is a low power sleep mode or a complete power down. The manual does mention that some of the internal specifications are different, but other than that there are no model number difference or physical markings that I can see which would different the old versus the new model.
It is sort of a gamble on Amazon if you will get the new version; the ones I got were purchased around 10/2009 and hopefully the inventory moves fast.
Customer Review: Great item for entertainment system / stereo, minor flaws for computer room
Summary: 4 Stars
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS A SPECIFIC-FUNCTION SURGE PROTECTOR!!
When a "Master" control device is powered on (the blue socket in the picture), other peripheral devices also power on (the white or uncolored sockets in the picture). There are also 3 always-on sockets (the red ones in the picture). This is designed to power off an entire system of devices as a group, thus saving money and button-pushing (in theory).
As the title of this review states, this surge protector is superior for use in a home stereo / entertainment system, where having a master component control all the others is generally very linear; e.g., your amplifier / receiver used as the master, and cd / dvd / tv / cable / powered speakers / etc. are slave powered. As noted, however, it may be slightly awkward for use in a home office unless your master device and peripherals are set up in a likewise fashion--for example, I don't have the need for my backup hard drive or printer to be on every time my desktop is, so I tend to power them off & on using their individual controls.
The quality of the surge protector rates a 4.5 out of 5; it is solid, sturdy and has securely-seated outlets. The sensitivity control for adjusting the slave outlet activation is accurate and simple to use. The spacing of the sockets leaves a bit to be desired; only the 4 outermost sockets are spaced to allow for larger plugs ("wall warts"). The remaining 6, including the master and 3 always-on outlets, are rather tightly spaced.
Overall a 4-star item for quality of material and workmanship, excellent warranty and equipment insurance, and the power-saving functionality. The main detractor is the less-than-ideal outlet spacing.
The price savings and delivery time on Amazon were far superior to local outlets.
Customer Review: Great money saving device
Summary: 5 Stars
Saves my PC from using 50watts all of the time. Purchased two of them, both work great.
UPDATE: After reading several negative reviews, I wanted to add a few things.
1. I now have 3 of these, the newest is 6 months old and they are all working great.
2. On calibration: The power usage in the on state for the control device needs to be significantly different than the off power usage for the control device to work properly. For example, a cable box that draws 40watts on and 35watts off will make a very poor control device. A computer that draw 12watts off and 100watts on will make a great control device. Consider that when choosing a control device. (Kill-a-watt is very helpful in determining this)
3. On failures: Power strips fail, often from surges. If your strip failed, contact the manufacture. It should last a year at minimum. However, it does contain a switch and and power reading circuit, so it may fail at some point.
4. Always on devices: The strip is designed for computers. You turn your computer off, the speakers and other items go off too. There are many other uses, but keep in mind that it does not work for power hungry always-on devices like a cable box, DVRs, Roku or DirecTV control box. Those devices are always on, they take several minutes to boot up when power is restored. Same goes for a large number of TVs. If your device is an always on device, you can't use it as a control device or hook it to one of the switched outlets without some frustration. That simply will not work well. Using a switched power strip on those types of devices will GREATLY increase time-to-on and in the case of a DVR, will result in missed recordings. This can be a big negative when you need to turn things on and let them boot up for 10 minutes before you watch TV.
Make sure that the way you plan to use the device is how the device is designed to be used. Get a Kill-A-Watt and look at power usage when you are planning to use a power strip like this. The Kill-A-Watt is a great tool and helps in other areas as well.