Smart Strip SCG3 Energy Saving Power Strip with Autoswitching Technology
by Smart Strip
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Smart Strip SCG3 Energy Saving Power Strip with Autoswitching Technology
Customer Review: Not-so-smart power strip
Summary: 4 Stars
Although smarter than the average power strip, this device has only limited intelligence. The instruction manual, page 5, states "The Smart Strip will work with the following equipment: * All home entertainment equipment ... ". Not exactly. The adjustable switching threshold doesn't work with devices having small differences between the "on" and "standby" states. This includes lots of my home entertainment equipment. My application is a Logitech Squeezebox receiver as control device, and a ZERO class D amplifier as switched device. The Logitech receiver doesn't effectively switch the power strip, no matter how finely I tune the threshold adjusting switch. Neither will my Pioneer receiver trigger the switch. A lamp works - but not practical.
Switching devices triggered by audio signals are built into some self-powered speakers and amplifiers, and I do have these deployed elsewhere. But finding a standalone switching device for my ZERO amp is not that easy, although there are schematics freely available on the web if you're a DIY type.
Another option was to leave the amp on 24/7, since it is low power. But, there are sufficient electromagnetic fields present to generate noise in the speakers.
Well, the 60's style toggle switch on the amp does work well.
Customer Review: Nice product, but beware with amps
Summary: 4 Stars
There has bee a recent trend in eliminating switched power outlets on most current stereo receivers, for reasons I don't understand.
I have a CD player that has a push-button type power switch. I used to plug it into the switched receiver outlet so that it came on and off with my stereo receiver. Since most newer receivers don't have these outlets, I decided to use one of these to power my CD player on and off with my receiver as the triggering device. That works well and I'm happy with it.
I was also hoping to use this power strip to turn my subwoofer on and off, rather than putting my subwoofer in the 'auto' mode, to save a little power. It worked ok and would power the sub on and off but I ended up not using it for the sub. There was a loud 'thump' from the subwoofer some of the time when the power strip turned on. This is common with amplifiers when the power comes on abruptly. So, I don't recommend using this to switch any kind of amplifier on/off as it could damage your speaker (subwoofer) long term. This is not really a defect in this power strip. The way to avoid this is use some power source that ramps up slower (like a power conditioner, but they can be costly).
The default setting on the power strip worked with my device too.
Customer Review: good but frustrating flaw
Summary: 4 Stars
I just got it and set it up so probably too early to review but I have already encountered a frustrating issue. The Always on outlets do not have space for an adapter. I guess I should have noticed this when I selected this one but I did not and my modem/router which needs to be always on has a huge adapter that not only blocks the 2nd always on outlet but also one of the switched outlets! This leaves me with only 3 switched outlets and one always on outlet 8-(. I am going to get one of those little extender things but think this is not an uncommon scenario and wish they had planned it a bit better. The bigger one has space for it in the always on outlet but it would have been overkill or my needs.
Aside from that it was easy to set up, I turned it all the way down and turned on my computer then turned the dial until the other stuff came on and turned my computer off and the other stuff went off like it should. It has a flat plug for the wall and slots on the back i guess for mounting to the wall which i have not tried yet.
Overall I can't rate it low for something I should have noticed but it is annoying and thought I would mention this aspect of it... plan accordingly!
Customer Review: Does exactly what is needed
Summary: 4 Stars
The home theater setup is complex. Audio runs through the amplifier. There is a powered sub. We have a Wii, a TV, a computer and a DVD player.
They don't all need to be plugged in all the time. Basically, nothing needs to be on unless the stereo is on.
So we got this. Now, when the stereo turns on, power becomes available for the TV, Subwoofer, Wii, DVD player.
It makes me happy every time we turn off the stereo and about five seconds later, get to hear the subwoofer turn off.
Customer Review: Partial succes
Summary: 4 Stars
I purchased 2 Power Strip devices. One is used with my Sony desktop computer to shut down the monitor and powered subwoofer. This works perfectly after some adjustment. The other power strip is used for my TV to shut down my DVD, VCR and Wii when not used. This does not consistently shut down or start-up the devices properly. I'm still adjusting and it either shuts down and won't restart or vice versa.