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Smart Strip LCG3 Energy Saving Surge Protector with Autoswitching Technology, 10-Outlet by Smart Strip
Product DetailsManufacturer: Smart Strip Format: CD-ROM Model: 4940 Product features: - Ten-outlet surge protector with six-foot cord
- Right-angle plug keeps cord close to the wall
- Automatically turns off power when not in use to help save energy
- Superior EMI/RFI filtering to 52dB
- Backed by a full two-year warranty for defects
Tools and Hardware Reviews of Smart Strip LCG3 Energy Saving Surge Protector with Autoswitching Technology, 10-OutletCustomer Review: Really wanted to like it Summary: 1 Stars
There's a lot of companies that have jumped on the "green," power conserving, surge protector bandwagon. It's a neat idea that needs further refinement. I'm really sorry it didn't work as correspondence with the company has been nice and polite.
The Smart Strip will probably work fine with A/V equipment, but I don't have any confidence it will work as intended with my iMac* and am returning it.
There were two main issues.
Calibration - I've read the instructions, understand the various outlets' roles and behaviors, and the calibration process. I could not calibrate it to work as intended and came to the conclusion, I would never achieve a perfect setting, just compromise at best.
Power dip after start up - When I would wake the iMac from sleep mode, there would be a power dip a few seconds later. I can't imagine this is good for the peripheral devices. I should have probably taken the time to determine whether this is isolated to the computer being the master device or if it does this with any electrical device in the control outlet.
After fiddling with the calibration, trying to achieve a perfect setting that would work for on/off and sleep mode, my iMac locked up during start up. Just a black screen and power light. It would not reboot by the standard depressing the power button until it restarts routine. I had to shut off my computer by turning off the Smart Strip.
There is supposedly a third generation that works better, but there are no identifiers on the actually product to determine what generation I had. The manual stated that it works with "All computers." After experiencing my computer lock up, I really don't want to risk trying it again.
One other concern was the lack of an equipment protection policy, common with many surge protectors. The warranty only covers the product. The produced a lot of doubt.
As for my rating, construction seems on par with other surge protectors in this price range and I would give it three stars. But the lack of an equipment protection policy drops it below the competition. The computer lock up and the power dips made it undesirable for powering my specific computer needs.
In fairness, it doesn't look like any of the competing products in this price range work any better. For the time being, I would rather manually turn the power on or off than delegate the decision making to the Smart Strip. Long term, I really do hope they develop one that works correctly with computers' built in power conservation systems. Hopefully, it just a matter of time.
*There seems to be some variants, unavailable on amazon, that trigger off the USB signal. This make more sense for a computer scenario, as long as the power dips don't occur on start up.
Description of Smart Strip LCG3 Energy Saving Surge Protector with Autoswitching Technology, 10-OutletWith patented auto-switching technology that saves you money on electrical bills, the Smart Strip LCG3 Energy Saving Power Strip features 10 outlets that work in sync to efficiently power your electrical devices. This unique energy-saving power strip automatically switches devices on and off and uses less than one watt of power when fully energized. And with premium EMF/RFI filtering and 2225-joule protection to defend devices against surges, this strip keeps your valuable electronic equipment fully protected. | The Smart Strip LCG3 Energy Saving Power Strip:- Provides a safe, uninterrupted power supply
- Auto-switches devices on and off to save energy
- Uses less than one watt of power when fully energized
- Offers an EMI/RFI filter and 15 AMP circuit breaker
- Delivers 2225-joule and 84,000 AMP protection
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 Ten outlets work in sync to power and protect your electrical devices. View larger. | Protection and Power-Efficiency Save You Money and Worry You don't want your power strip to eat up power, but you also want assurance that your equipment is safe from harsh power surges. Ideal for computer systems and home entertainment centers, the Smart Strip LCG3 employs a proprietary auto-switching technology that automatically shuts down devices that are not in use, saving you money and reducing your overall energy usage. The Smart Strip has 10 clearly marked outlets that you plug your computer or home entertainment center peripherals into. When you power down your computer or stereo, the Smart Strip automatically shuts down the power to your computer's and entertainment's center peripherals. This unique feature not only saves you money and helps the environment, it also makes shutting down your systems fast and easy. Unlike most power strips, the Smart Strip itself uses very little energy. It uses one watt of power when fully engaged and less than 1/4 of a watt when the automatically switched outlets are off. Advanced Surge Protection with Superior EMI/RFI Filter Power strips without EMI/RFI (Electromagnetic Interference/Radio Frequency Interference) run the risk of allowing waves from one electronic device to cause malfunctions or interference in another. The Smart Strip LCG3 protects you from this risk with its advanced EMI/RFI filter, backed up by a 15 AMP circuit breaker and two frequency-sensitive RC filters that eliminate false switching. Plus, a passive current sensor ensures an ultra-safe, ultra-clean switching off and on of your peripherals, giving you added peace of mind that your valuable electronics will remain safe. The possible hazards of power surges are further prevented with 2225-joule surge protection and 84,000 AMP protection, both of which employ a three-way design to give you the ultimate protection for your valuable equipment. Designed for Convenience and Ease of Use The Smart Strip LCG3's widely spaced, clearly marked outlets give you the space and ease to connect all necessary equipment. The four-way wall mountable design, 45-degree space-saver plug, and heavy-duty six-foot power cord offer the versatility to place the power strip wherever it is most convenient, so it never gets in the way of your footpath or your home décor. A lighted power switch keeps the strip visible, so you're never left fumbling in the dark. The Smart Strip LCG3 is backed by a full two-year warranty for defects and includes a lifetime $30,000 connected equipment warranty. What's in the Box Smart Strip LCG3 Energy Saving Power Strip with Autoswitching Technology.
Multi-outlet & Power Strips Tools
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