Smart Strip LCG5 Energy Saving Power Strip with Auto-Switching Technology and Modem/Coaxial Surge Protection
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Smart Strip LCG5 Energy Saving Power Strip with Auto-Switching Technology and Modem/Coaxial Surge Protection
Customer Review: Great idea, a bit noisy
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought a couple of Smart Strips and a Kill-A-Watt about a month ago. This is such a great idea -- we talk about how much energy is wasted by wall-warts and devices in standby mode, but it's not at all realistic to say you'll unplug every device every time you're done with it. I, for one, am always in a hurry and have to stand on my head to reach my inconveniently-placed outlets, so my wall-warts stay plugged in.
After some thought about where I have clusters of related electronics, I installed one strip in the TV area and one at the computer. The TV one has worked great -- not only are several DC converters turned off anytime the TV is off, but I also get better network security by making sure that my XBox and its router are off the Internet when I'm not actively using them.
However -- and here's why it gets four stars rather than five -- the unit hums audibly. That's fine in the living room, which remains unoccupied unless the TV is on, but it's unacceptable in my bedroom where the computer lives. I had to change back to a regular power strip on the computer, which is a shame since the savings from automatically turning off the monitor and speakers would have been significant.
Customer Review: In Agreement.
Summary: 5 Stars
I agree with most of the other reviewers. I bought three of these and they are easy to install, for the most part working right out of the box without adjustment. I can't tell you how many times the TV gets turned off but the amp and DVD is left on or the Computer is shut down but the speaker/amp, printer and external hard disk are running all day. And the ease of shutting the computer down and knowing everything is shut down as well ..., I love it. Not sure how much energy it saves but I've got solar hot water, solar panels, flourescent bulbs etc., and it's just one more cog.Customer Review: It's ok.
Summary: 3 Stars
I plugged in the first one that was shipped to me only to hear a high frequency noise. I checked the manufacturers website and found out that the noise was due to a displaced filter that occasionally occurs during shipment. I returned the unit to Amazon, who promptly sent me a new one.
The second unit worked as advertised. I thought that this would be a great way to turn off those energy drainers from my home theater setup. Unfortunately, I found out that many of the devices that I have require a trickle charge to maintain settings. When the devices were turned off, the clocks needed reset, the TV lost the channel settings, the media player required to scan the hard drive, etc, etc.
I think the product does well for what it says to do. I do think that I fell into the trap of "save more money by reducing energy sucking appliances" mantra. The amount of energy saved could not compare to the cost and frustrations associated with this device. Furthermore, I would expect that a device that costs this much would not have filters so easily displaced during shipment. Poor quality control?
It does what is says it does, but I would re-evaluate if the cost savings really match the price, in which my wouldn't.
Customer Review: Not ideal for home theatre
Summary: 3 Stars
From what I've read, flat panel TV's draw the most power in standby mode. Using the Smart Strip for my home theater, it's only logical to plug the TV into the control outlet so all components come on when the TV is powered up. Using this configuration the biggest energy vampire is still always on.Customer Review: OK
Summary: 3 Stars
Terrific idea, but execution is a little unreliable. I have this hooked up to one of my home entertainment systems. It sometimes takes awhile for it to cut power to the other receptacles, or never does cut the power. Adjusting the sensitivity is supposed to solve this problem, but it doesn't work reliably. In addition to this model, I have a different one (with less outlets) that works reliably on a different home entertainment setup.