Plugable 12 Outlet Power Surge Protector with Built-in Dual USB Charging Ports

Plugable 12 Outlet power surge protector provides 12 power outlets and 2 USB ports. 4 of the AC outlets are set away from the others so I could plug in my battery rechargers without covering any other outlets. The power strips measures 12" x 6" x 1", has a 6 foot cord. It claims 4320 Joules of surge protection for all 12 power outlets. The switch on the side of the power strip servers the role of power switch as well as the circuit breaker switch.

  I am attaching a collage of 2 photos : Photo #1 shows a variety of battery chargers, USB chargers, and a regular size small plug in this power strip. I found the outlets well spaced out to fit my needs. Photo #2 shows one minor annoyance I found in this strip. Both sides of the strip glow with green LED lights that cannot be turned on. It seems fashionable for every device to glow in the dark, I wish this was an optional light with a way to turn it off.



To test the USB ports I ran the test I use to test all chargers and power banks. The benefit of running the same test on all devices is that it allows me to compare them to each other in "apples to apples" comparison. My methodology is to charge each mobile device on each port of the unit for 10 minutes and measuring how much each unit was charge in that 10 minute period. Each line in the table below represents a separate 10 minute test.



I use Battery App by Elvison to determine how each device recognized the charging source. 'AC' status means the charging is at full charging rate. 'USB' status indicates charging at a lower charging rate. 'Discharging' status means that the charging rate is below the power that the device is consuming so it slows down the discharge rate but does not re-charge.



iPad Mini

_________



Port 1................ 2%.....AC

Port 2................ 2%.....AC



Samsung Galaxy 7.7 Tablet

_________________________



Port 1................ 0%.....discharging with data cable

Port 1................ 2%.....AC with charging cable

Port 2................ 0%.....discharging with data cable

Port 2................ 2%.....AC with charging cable



iPad Mini and Samsung Galaxy 7.7 Tablet at the same time

_________________________________________________________

Port 1................ 2%.....AC (iPad Mini)

Port 2................ 3%.....AC with charging cable (Galaxy tab)

Port 1................ 2%.....AC with charging cable (Galaxy tab)

Port 2................ 2%.....AC (iPad Mini)



These charging rates fall in the middle range of my tests, not as good as the fastest chargers but not the slowest. Given that it a bonus functionality on the well spaced power strip I am satisfied with this performance.



Plugable products offers a one year limited warranty against any defects in materials or workmanship. The warranty information can be located on Plugable web site by selecting "Support/Warranty" from the top menu of their website (and the website name is the product name followed by dot com). They state that they will repair or replace products which fail because of any defect in the first year after purchase.



Plugable provided this unit to me for testing, evaluation and review be it positive or negative. I am very pleased with the layout of the outlets. The USB ports provided reasonable speed of charging even though they were not as fast as the best rapid chargers I own. Overall, I recommend it.



You can find it on Amazon by following this link.







AshopZones review ★★★★★

Bolse® 5Gbps SuperSpeed 7-Port USB 3.0 HUB

The Bolse USB hub is 4.25" x 1.75" x 1". It has 7 USB slots are located on three sides of the unit. The back panel take the power code and USB plug that plugs into your computer. The top contains a light for each USB slots, and lights up when something is plugged in. The USB cord is 39". Its power cord cord is 47" long. The USB unit weights 5.7 oz, the power plug and cord weigh 4.5 oz.



The documentation states that this hub USB 3.0 is backwards compatible with USB 2.0. I tested with USB 2.0 and USB 1.1, and it is backwards compatible with both.



I tested he hub on Windows XP, Windows 7, and Linux. Each operating system I tested saw the memory stick plugged into the hub without problems.



I tested each port by copying a large set of mp3 files totalling 638916 Megabytes. I measured CPU time and clock time. I wanted to test that all ports worked, I wanted to test if there was a significant difference in performance between ports, and I wanted to see if copying to multiple memory sticks at the same time would slow down the copying.



✔ First, I tested each port using 2.0 USB memory stick. I ran the same test on each of the 7 ports. All ports worked with a normal small variations in performances.



✔ Second, I tested copying files onto two 2.0 USB memory sticks at the same time, to see of the copying slows down compared to working with one stick at a time. The performance was somewhat slower compared to test 1.



✔ Third, For comparison I plugged the same memory stick directly into the computer without the USB hub.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

TEST#1 (one USB 2.0 stick)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here are clock times:

-------------------------------

Port1:_______1:23.65

Port2:_______1:55.40

Port3:_______1:15.83

Port4:_______1:16.92

Port5:_______1:24.54

Port6:_______1:55.10

Port7:_______1:50.21



Here are the CPU times:

-------------------------------

Port1:_______0.791s

Port2:_______0.887s

Port3:_______0.543s

Port4:_______0.696s

Port5:_______1.003s

Port6:_______0.880s

Port7:_______0.851s



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

TEST#2 (two USB 2.0 sticks at the same time)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Clock times for two devices at the same time:

-------------------------------

Memory stick #1: 2:01.58

Memory stick #2: 2:27.68



CPU times for two devices at the same time:

-------------------------------

Memory stick #1: 0.954s

Memory stick #2: 1.234s



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

TEST#3 (one USB 2.0 stick plugged directly into the computer)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CPU time: 0.851s

Clock time: 1:54.24



I am attaching a collage of 3 photos of this unit. They can be located by following 'customer photos' link under the main photo. The first photo shows the USB unit, and its two cords. The second photo shows the back of the unit. The third photo shows the unit while I was doing one of the test. This photo gives you a good idea of the relative size of this unit. You can also see the lights on the top of the unit: the left most light indicates that the unit is plugged in and the the second light shows that port 5 contains a device.



I was provided a sample for evaluation and I ran it through 16 tests in order to provide unbiased and honest review. The unit performed well and met my expectations for a 5 star rating.





You can find it on Amazon by following this link.







AshopZones review ★★★★★

Pyle PFA400U 100-Watt Class-T Hi-Fi Audio Amplifier with USB SD Reader and AC Adapter

This is a very compact (7" x 4" x 1.75") digital amplifier that produced good sound when used with small (12") high quality speakers. I am attaching a video which demonstrates Pyle PFA400U amplifier in action. The music source in the video is the Logitech bluetooth adapter connected to Nexus 7 Tablet.

Overall, the amplifier did a nice job. This amplifier is a Class T switching digital amplifier rated at 100W. However, 100W ratings is some what misleading, it refers to instantaneous burst of 100W. The power adapter of the amplifier is rated at 24W, the efficiency of Class T amplifier is 80%, this means the continuous power of this unit is approximately 20W. When both the tablet and the amplifier were both turned to their maximum volume, the sound was loud but did not blast. In the video I used the remote control to turn on the audio to its maximum volume.



If you want to turn on or turn off the amplifier you can do it either from the remote control, or by a long push on the "mode" button on the unit itself (left most button). You can also turn off the amplifier by twisting the volume button. Note that the remote control overrides the volume set by the knob (i.e. if you turned down the sound using the remote, using the knob will not make it loud).



The remote control is small (7" x 4" x 1.33"), and can be used for on/off, controlling volume and changing tracks.



USB/SD inputs worked without problems but what is being played is not shown on the little digital display on the unit. The remote control can be used to change the tracks forward and backwards, but there is no fast forward or reverse, and I was not able to change the display to show the tracks numbers or titles. The play from the USB/SD does NOT resume where you left off (it starts from the beginning) if you turn off the unit or if you hit mode button to switch between RCA and USB/SD inputs.



Setting up the unit was simple, and I did not need the instructions. However, it should be noted that the documentation that comes with this unit is poor. The description specifies that this unit has 3.5mm (1/8") front input. Neither the front nor the back have 3.5mm input. The documentation refers to RCA connections on the back as outputs rather than inputs (the unit itself is labelled correctly). It does not mention that "Mode" button or "Volume" button can be used to turn the unit on and off.



I am enclosing a collage of 3 of photos which show the unit. Photo #1 and Photo #2 show different angles of the back of the unit. Photo #3 shows the front of the unit.



I received this amplifier for an honest review (be it positive or negative) from the manufacture. I described both positives and negatives of this unit, and I hope the video gives a good idea of what to expect from this amp.



You can find it on Amazon by following this link.







AshopZones review ★★★★★

Gurin Precision Digital Bathroom Scale with Ultra Wide Platform and Auto-on Technology, 440-Pounds

Update: After 1 month of use I am down grading the scale to 2 stars. The problem with the scale is that if you move it you get different readings. If it stays in one spot the readings don't vary too much, but if you move it there are variations in results. Even if you don't move the scale when you weight yourself, you might need to move it while cleaning.

 Original review follows:



Gurin precision digital bathroom scale is made out of tempered glass. The glass is lined with a silver lining and gives it a modern look.



I am attaching a collage of 4 photos, photo #1 shows the top of the scale. The glass platform is 14" by 12" and is raised 1" from the floor.



The display is 2" inches in size and lights up when you step on the scale. My old scale did not light up, so I had to move it into the light to see the reading. The scale allowed me to hop on the corner right in the dark corner of the bathroom where I store it since the display is clearly visible even in the dark. The display is shown in photo #2. The display stays on a couple of seconds after you step off the scale and then automatically turns off.



The third photo shows the scale upside down. You can see the scale has feet with traction pads so it does not slide on my tile. The feet also contain the sensor which turns on the display. You also see the "unit" buttons which allows you to change the units you want your weight to be displayed on the scale: kg, lb, or st.



The forth photo shows the battery compartment, the scale runs on four AAA batteries (included).



The glass top makes it look pretty but has some down sides. The glass is slippery if it gets wet. The surface also gets pretty cold in the winter. To address both issues I usually keep my socks on when I weigh myself.



The glass platform is fairly large - big enough to accommodate 4 paws of a cat - and we got our cat to stand on it for a few seconds, however the scale did not show any readout so the kitty must be under the minimum weight the scale registers.



This is an attractive scale with an easy to read numbers.





You can find it on Amazon by following this link.







AshopZones review ★★☆☆☆

DB-Tech BD-WA65 Battery Operated Water Alarm with a 6 Foot Detachable Sensor

DB-Tech Water alarm is a 2.5" by 4" unit that has a water sensor and electronic alarm. The water sensor is located at the end of a 66 inch cord which allows the unit to be mounted above any potential water line. The back of the unit has holes for mounting screws. However I do not have a wall within 66 inches, so I just placed the water alarm on top of the water heater, as the cord was long enough to reach the floor with a bit of slack. If the cord was not long enough to place on top of the water heater, my back up plan was to attach the unit to the water heater with some duck tape.

 I have been using a water alarm for my water heater since I had some water damage a few years ago. In the attached video I replaced my current water alarm with the DB-Tech Water alarm. You will notice the water tray under my water heater which was installed the last time the water heater was replaced. As you will see the water alarm is very sensitive, it really does not need a water tray to fill to sound the alarm. 

 

In the video I show how to extend the cord, install the battery, and then take it down to the basement where a quarter of the cup of water makes it squawk. The alarm is not very loud, I am likely to hear it on the first floor above the basement but not on the second floor especially if the TV is on.

 

To summarize:

1. Very sensitive, alarm sets off with a small amount of water

2. Reliable, alarm went off in every test I tried

3. Not loud enough to hear everywhere in the house when it is mounted in the basement

4. Mounting might require some creativity



I received a sample unit from manufacture to share my experience with the alarm (be they positive or negative) the with potential future buyers. I addressed pluses and minuses of the unit, and overall recommend it. This inexpensive device can save you a lot of money by preventing water damage.





You can find it on Amazon by following this link.







AshopZones review ★★★★☆

Santamedical SM-210 Finger Pulse Oximeter

The fingertip pulse oximeter is easy to use and appears to be quite accurate (it showed the same reading as my last check-up). It runs on two AAA batteries. It turns on automatically when you put your finger in, and turns off automatically after a second once you remove your finger.



The unit is 1 1/3" long, 1 1/4" widem 1" thick.



I am attaching a collage of 4 photos:

✔ The first photo shows the back of the unit, push the button and slide to get to the battery compartment

✔ The second photo show the battery compartment opened

✔ The third and forth photo show the unit on my finger. It holds on tightly but not uncomfortably.



Normal oxidation level for a non-smoker is 96%-100%.

A normal resting heart rate for adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats a minute. A well trained athlete is likely to have a lower resting heart rate. However, if the rate for a regular person if the rate is outside the normal range they should consult a doctor.



I received this oximeter from the manufacture to share my experiences with it (positive and negative) with potential future buyers.



You can find it on Amazon by following this link.







AshopZones review ★★★★★

Food Review: Cameron's Coffee Flavored Ground Coffee 3-Flavor Variety Pack

This was my first purchase of Cameron's flavored coffee but it will not be my last. I signed up for "Subscribe and Save delivery" and I will be getting it on regular basis.

  Everyone's taste are different so to describe my tastes and help you determine if it is similar to yours I can tell you that I am not a big fan of Starbucks Coffee, and I like Peet's coffee. I also prefer flavored coffee to regular coffee taste. My husband looks down on flavored coffee... but what can I say? I like the taste.



With that background in mind I really liked Cameron's flavored coffees. Each one of the three flavors comes through in each cup without feeling syrupy or artificial. At the same time the flavors are noticeable and unique. None of the coffees have an aftertaste, or were bitter or acidic. I found them to mellow and warm, and make me look forward to my first cup of coffee each morning.



I found this coffee to have a very pleasant taste, the price is very reasonable. I will be back!



You can find it on Amazon by following this link.







AshopZones review ★★★★★