Smart Strip LCG5 Energy Saving Power Strip with Auto-Switching Technology and Modem/Coaxial Surge Protection
by Smart Strip
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List Price: Our Price: $30.65 You Save: $35.47 (54%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Tools See more product details |
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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: Used for my computer system, of course
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought this to replace my ten-year-old current surge protector, and I love it. Like others have said, it is very simple to use. The CPU, of course, is in the "control" outlet and my monitor and printer are in the "switched" ones. The modem, my cell phone charger (I charge my cell phone on my computer desk) and the charger plug to my Nintendo DS are on the "constant hot" outlets, and sufficient space was provided for both of the chargers' adapter-like plugs, which was a definite plus. It seems like most surge protectors I have gotten never have enough room for all of that. I like how the unit gives a choice of having something switch off with the control plug or be constantly on.
This didn't work right out of the box, though. At first, everything that was supposed to switch was remaining on. That was easily fixed by turning the small dial on the side just until the components that were supposed to be turned off did so. So, if this happens on your unit, don't be alarmed or think it's broken.
Overall, I love it and I think it's a great idea. I went ahead and bought a different model from this line to go with the home entertainment system as well.
Customer Review: smart strip
Summary: 4 Stars
I was happy with this product. I think it is useful in certain areas such as computers for the monitor, printer, speakers with cpu as the primary. Also, for televisions, with the speakers, dvd, vcr. It's not very useful for kitchen equipment due to the size. Wasn't very useful for the bedroom either due to the need for constant on for the clock, radio, light, and fan. I would suggest purchasing one and see how it works first then purchase more as needed. Energy savings have yet to be calculated but I imagine the strip will pay for itself in under a year. Which makes it worth it to me. Energy prices are only going to go up in time so controlling demand will be more important. Start now.Customer Review: Great concept
Summary: 4 Stars
It works as it promised,First off when you use Control outlet make sure to
connect Device(Computer,Receiver,TV)that use at least use over 1 Amp or 100 Watts of power to work properly,otherwise it will not control any Device connected to Switch outlet..example if you connect Cable,Dvr,DVD Player in the Control outlet it will not work because those Device does not draw much Electricity to activate Switch Outlet.
Then the Design is sucks compare to Apc,Belkin,other products and Adjustment Nob is hard to adjust..u need a Philip Screw Driver,Coin etc
and it only has 2875 Total Joule protection as well as does not have AVR
(Aotomatic Voltage Regulator)...
Customer Review: Works as promised.
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought this for use on my computer. It worked as promised. I did have to adjust the sensitivity dial on the strip to get it to shut down when putting my system into standby, but worked fine after that.
A couple of items to note:
-I couldn't plug my cable modem into one of the switched outlets without getting an error every time the system started back up.
-The phone cord that comes with the unit is only a two lead wire, so don't use it if you're running multiple phone lines out of one jack.