Belkin BG108000-04 Conserve Energy-Saving Surge Strip
by Belkin Inc.
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List Price: Our Price: $33.95 You Save: $16.04 (32%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $33.92 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Belkin BG108000-04 Conserve Energy-Saving Surge Strip
Customer Review: "Interesting" Customer Service Experience
Summary: 2 Stars
The product seemed like the perfect solution and probably is, although my experience with customer service was enough to turn me off. My unit arrived from Amazon defective. The remote control would not operate the power strip. (Yes, both the remote control and the power strip were set to the same frequency.) Stuff happens, right? No big deal. I called customer service at Belkin and the rep suggested I buy a new battery for the remote. I pointed out that according to the instructions when the green LED glows (and it did) the remote is powered and operational. Still, he persisted that the battery might be too low to operate the unit. I was skeptical but agreed. So, I plunked down $4 for the A23 12v specialty battery that powers the remote. The unit still did not work. The next step, according to Belkin customer service, was for ME to send in the remote AT MY COST so they could replace it. Hmmm... I pointed out that this was a brand new unit out the box that was nonfunctional. That bounced right off of him. He did offer to send me the new remote first but said that I would be required to send in the defective one AT MY COST within 20 days. Sorry Belkin. No sale. I returned the unit to Amazon. This is my second non-functioning Belkin purchase. FYI.Customer Review: Works, but not all the time
Summary: 3 Stars
I've owned this power strip for around 5 months now. The power strip works great - no complaints there.
What I am concerned about is the remote control. Maybe I got a dud, but the mechanical construction of the remote control is pretty poor. It was easy for the remote to come apart at the seams. The rocker switch for the remote is also not a feat of engineering - it takes quite a bit of force to press the switch down, and even then you might not be pushing the actual transmitter switch.
The remote also takes a A23 battery (12V), which is provided in the packaging. For me, this battery lasted about 2 months before replacement. It was hard to tell when the battery needed to be replaced, though, because even though the switch wasn't working, the LEDs that light up when you press the switch still turn on. So I thought the remote's RF transmitter or controller broke before I figured out it was the battery.
Finally, sometimes you need to press the switch multiple times before the power strip picks up the signal.
Definitely not the easiest-to-use device and I might not recommend to a friend, but after figuring out the quirks of the remote I'm OK with mine.
Customer Review: Works well and it really saves electricity!
Summary: 4 Stars
I have a guest room that I rarely use but that is full of electronics that consume power even while on standby (most electronics nowadays never really go off). I saw a significant drop in my electricity usage in my next bill. I was so impressed I purchased another one and I'm looking for places to put more of them. By the way, you can set them on different channels so they work independently or on the same channel so no matter what control you it will cut the power to all selected appliances.
Bear in mind that the product only works with included RF remote. The RF provides excellent coverage even without a line of sight but I think than an optional remote infrared eye would greatly increase the usability and value of the product. This will allow users to program their remote control to turn the power on and off automatically as they use their appliances. This will result not only on greater convenience (I often forget to flick the switch on before attempting to use the tv remote) but also will result in greater energy savings (as you will use it always instead of just at night or before going to work). Despite my minor quibbles I highly recommend this product.
Customer Review: Propreitary Battery in the remote is its downfall.
Summary: 2 Stars
I chose this over the Smart Strip, and I am now returning this and getting a Smart Strip for a few major reasons.
Though first the good:
1) It does what it says it will do and will shut off your external devices thus eliminating some stand-by power consumption.
2) If you only sometimes want to power down your extra devices, then this is the one for you.
3) If the remote battery dies or you lose the remote, there is a manual switch located on the power strip if you don't mind crawling on the floor.
The Bad:
1) The REMOTE. It uses a micro battery that can't be found at the average store and thus is the downfall of this product. The remote is big enough that they could have used a AAA battery too. So good thought, poor implementation. I refuse to use something that is going to just eat through proprietary batteries or will be useless if you can't find a replacement.
2) The stand-by mode on the device to listen for the remote users power itself, though this is minor.
3) It only has 8 outlets vs. the Smart Strip LCG5 which has 8 and also has cable TV surge protection.
Customer Review: Truly a SMART Surge Power Strip
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this to show my family how easy it is to control those electronic devices that suck power while we "sleep." It works like a charm!
I made the mistake of connecting not only my cable box, but my DVR, too ... along with my TV, wireless headset (separately chargeable batteries), VCR/DVD player combo. It took forever for my cable box to "reload" after being switched off and none of my shows recorded on my DVR (duh!) Easy remedy ... those two items now plug into the "always ON" outlets!
Now that my family thinks this is "cool" and my husband knows it works ... we will changeover all of our surge strips. I will also use the "Belkin AG110030-04 Energy Saving Surge Strip for Home Theater" for the equipment in his retreat.
I have a bad back, so constantly bending down to the floor or reaching behind equipment made it extremely difficult and painful for me to power surge strips off and on ... the remote switch makes all the difference. I didn't install it on the wall, it's on my nightstand ... I just reach over to turn it off before I fall asleep. So easy!
Highly recommend!