Smart Strip SCG3/049418906 Energy Saving Power Strip with Autoswitching Technology

BITS LIMITED SCG3 7-OUTLET SMART STRIP 7 OUTLETS; 1225 JOULES; 3-WAY, 130V PROTECTION; 6-FT HEAVY-DUTY POWER CORD WITH 45deg ANGLED SPACE-SAVER PLUG; FEATURES 3 DIAGNOSTIC INDICATORS - POWER, SWITCHED OUTLETS and GROUND SURGE STATUS; BASIC MODEL

Note to Mac Mini users

Notice from the bitsltd website:

All Mac Mini and Dell 800 Series Laptop Owners!

Please order only 3rd Generation Smart Strip Models as Mac Mini and Dell 800 series laptops tend to have very irregular power consumption traits that are incompatible with our standard Smart Strips.

What can I use the Smart strip on?

The Smart strip can be used to save energy on Computers, TVs, & Home entertainment systems. they can automate lights & vacuums on your shop equipment. They do not save energy on phones, washers, dryers & Kitchen appliances.


I read a review elsewhere by R. Gressick who did use a laptop computer as the switching device by adjusting the knob on the side of the Smart Strip until the other devices switched off.

I have not bought or used the Smart Strip yet.

This seems like a terrific device to use when your controlling device draws a fairly steady amount of power, say, a desktop computer or a TV. However, it didn't work well for me and my low power computer. My computer is a Mac Mini G4, which is basically a laptop sans monitor, very low power usage. While using the computer, the power level drops so low that the device thinks it's off, and shuts down all the controlled outlets. I would expect that this would happen as well if you are using a laptop computer as the controlling device, as the laptop could start drawing power from the battery and nothing from the outlet.

The device does have a sensitivity switch, so you can set how sensitive it is to power drawn by the controlling device. This is a good thing, as many devices never really turn off completely, drawing a small amount of power to power a clock, for example. So, you do need a sensitivity switch so that you can set it to something higher than zero so that it will work properly with these devices. Unfortunately, even at the highest sensitivity setting, it is not sensitive enough for my computer.

The smart strip is larger than I expected, but that is understandable with all the technology that is contained in this strip. It was very easy to setup and I just used another powerstrip plugged into one of the controlled outlets instead of buying the version of the smart strip that has more outlets. I wasn't able to get it to work with my AT&T U-Verse DVR, but just set it up to use my TV as the controller instead. I think I am going to buy these as Christmas gifts for family this year.

With my Kill-A-Watt, I discovered that my computer speakers use 15W even when they're not being used. I now have my monitor and speakers plugged into the Smart Strip, and have confirmed (with the Kill-A-Watt) that I'm saving some energy, and the Smart Strip will pay for itself in 7 months.

Also note that there are lots of models of Smart Strips. The "L" models are large (10); the "S" models are small (7). The "3" models are the simplest ones; the "4" models have a phone/fax/modem port; the "5" models have both a coax (tv) and phone/fax/modem port.

I buy nothing but energy star appliances. I stumbled onto this product on an infomerical late at night when I couldn't sleep. I was very impressed. I bought it and thought I would give it a try for my computer. I read several articles concerning computers that sap a lot of electricity even when you turn it off. It's not just the computer itself but also the monitor, speakers, printer, cable modem, and if you have a cordless phone plugged in; this equals even more electricty that is spent. What's bad is that I have speakers that are hooked up to my computer that has a light on it that never shuts off. My one question was how would my phone (Optimum Voice) and cable modem (Optimum Online) would treat the energy star power strip. I noticed that there is a spot on the power strip for items that need to be on all the time such as the cable modem and phone (wireless, charger amd base). I plugged in my cable modem to the power strip marked "always on" but my phone's charger base has that plug in the shape of a big square which doesnt fit on the charger. This is the only minus. Wish it had a spot were it could fit. These days plugs come in all shapes and sizes. I plugged my computer tower into the control socket of the power strip then the peripherals in the other; printer, monitor, and speakers. At first I thought the unit was broken because the instructions said that when the power strip stops electricty from going into all the things I have plugged into it; the red light shuts off and all you see is the green light showing the ground and surge protection is ok. Basically, if you see only the green light then the power strip is doing its job. The next day I noticed that the only light on on the power strip was the green light. I got worried on the first day I bought it, but it works like the charm after that first day. What is amazing is the first full month that i've had this power strip is in the savings. To put it in perspective, I bought the energy star bulbs designed for the bathroom (the plump ones not the spiral ones because the spiral bulbs arent made for the bathroom- there are energy star bulbs now available for the bathroom. What I like about the energy star bulbs for the bathroom is that they slowly get bright when you turn them on. Perfect for someone who hates getting up early in the morning and when you flip the switch in the bathroom you get blinded by the light. Not so with the energy star bulbs) and with the power strip attached to my computer; my electric bill dropped $19 for this month. My only minus was the thick plug for my cordless phone charger was too big to attach it to the part of the power strip labeled,"always on." It would block either the control socket or the controlled outlets. Still, the savings can only be said in one word; Outstanding!