Smart Strip LCG4 Energy Saving Power Strip with Autoswitching Technology and Fax/Modem Surge Protection
|
List Price: Our Price: $29.29 You Save: $12.66 (30%) 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 LCG4 Energy Saving Power Strip with Autoswitching Technology and Fax/Modem Surge Protection
Customer Review: Good design with some unfortunate limitations
Summary: 3 Stars
This product is a great idea: a power strip that helps to save electricity costs by automatically shutting down idle equipment. This power strip also has a very useful design, with outlets spaced wide enough to accommodate the "wall wart" plugs that so many manufacturers use -- Apple being one notable exception.
I decided to use it with a Netgear RND4250 ReadyNAS NV+ 1 TB Desktop Network Storage (2x500GB) that I have configured to automatically shutdown at midnight every night and then power up the next morning. When I am sleeping, I don't need all the other networking equipment (routers, switches, broadband modem, my PC's LCD monitor, etc) to be consuming power equal to a 60 watt bulb, so I plugged them into the switched outlets.
Alas, the Smart Strip I bought from Amazon isn't sensitive enough to support this kind of switching. The Smart Strip would power up the equipment perfectly when the ReadyNAS turned on, but as soon as the ReadyNAS was idle and spun down its hard drives (how I have it set), then the Smart Strip would turn the equipment off. Obviously, a Network Access Storage device isn't very useful if all the connecting network equipment is off. Despite lots of on-and-off testing while adjusting the sensitivity of the Smart Strip, I couldn't get it to keep the network equipment powered up while the ReadyNAS was idle. In my case, when it is fully active the ReadyNAS NV+ consumes between 50-60 watts and when the drives are spun down it consumes about 25-30 watts. The Smart Strip wasn't sensitive enough to recognize that about 25 watts was not "sleep" mode.
In reviewing the BITS Limited web site, it appears there are older versions of the Smart Strip that have trouble with some newer equipment and require a "3rd Generation" strip. It's possible Amazon is selling the older strips or I got a defective unit; regardless, I returned it.
I still think the Smart Strip is a great idea, the physical layout of the plugs is much better than other power strips, and it offers great surge protection at a reasonable price. Alas, I couldn't get the one I bought from Amazon to work with my equipment.
Customer Review: Good design, and it works well for me
Summary: 4 Stars
I purchased a Smart Strip and use it to power my PC, monitor, printer, speakers and other peripheral devices. I find that it performs quite well. My PC is plugged into the control outlet, so the other outlets turn on when the PC is turned on. When the PC turns off, the other outlets shut down, so I no longer worry about shutting off my monitor, printer, or speakers. Sometimes there is a few minutes of delay before the peripherals power down, but this sensitivity can be tweaked with a setting on the Smart Strip - it is adjustable because some devices continue to draw a small current even when powered off, which can be enough current to keep the other outlets from shutting down. But with some adjustments, it can be set to work in most situations. The energy savings/environmental benefits make this a worthwhile purchase, but the convenience factor of not having to power on or off my devices just adds value. I plan to buy another one for my stereo system.Customer Review: Good idea, but problems with use...
Summary: 2 Stars
I saw this product featured on the CBS Early Show & it looked cool. I bought one for myself & one for my boyfriend's house to save energy on our computers.
Great idea - but it hasn't worked well for me so far. Whenever I plus my laptop into the Master outlet, it clicks on/off/on/off/on/off endlessly until I turn the whole thing off. Grr.
I DO love the idea of the master outlet controlling power to the peripherals, but I hope this product makes improvements.
Customer Review: Great
Summary: 5 Stars
It does what it is supposed to do. I like a product that delivers as promised.Customer Review: Great For My Setup
Summary: 5 Stars
I've read some other reviews and I'm confused as to how they had set up their electronics. Perhaps my setup is very simple, but I've had 0 problem with this strip; everything works correctly, I haven't had to adjust it whatsoever and nothing flips on or off unless I have it plugged in to the white outlets. I have two of these strips with television and computers running as CONTROL (blue), answering machine, phone, modem, and paper shredder running on HOT (red) and DVD, home theater, antenna, PS3, computer speakers, etc. running on SWITCH (white). I guess if all you're buying this for is a lamp and tv, or a microwave and toaster...I don't know, yeah, you might have problems. I think you may need to consider what it is you're trying to save energy on, and then decide what CONTROL unit you'll be using. Pretty simple, I'd say. Otherwise, this is an awesome product!