Customer Reviews

Belkin BZ103050-TVL 5-Outlet Mini Surge Protector with USB Charger

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I've been searching for a product that can extend the outlet on my bathroom for the electrical products that I use. I finally came across this Belkin mini surge protector and features:

- 3 AC power outlets
- 2 USB outlets ONLY for charging (not data transfer) at 5V / 500mA at each port
- Surge protection on all 5 outlets
- 918 Joules Energy Dissipation
- 125V / 15A / 1,875W Continuous Duty Electrical Rating
- 36,000A Maximum Spike Current
- Lifetime Warranty on product
- USD75,0000.00 connected equipment warranty
- 360 degree rotating plug lockable into 4 possible positions

Simple, elegant design in a smooth plastic casing of white and light grey colour. Once plugged, the green LED light will indicate if the power source is grounded.

The box comes with one USB to mini-USB cable to get you started in charging your USB devices as well.

DO NOT throw the prong cover that initially comes attached to the surge protector prong. As the manual states (for those who still care to read the User Manual these days), you can use this plastic prong cover to help further balance the device against any surface. You do this by inserting the plastic prong cover on the bottom of the surge device via a small notch. Also, the plastic cover is handy to use when traveling. Before dumping the surge protector along with your other devices, cover the prongs to prevent it from scratching other objects.

The prongs can be rotated 360 degrees loosely. However, there are 4 positions that enable you to lock it so it doesn't flail along clumsily in any direction. You do this by pressing into the rear a "release button". It's not a raised button, but a flat plastic portion that you have to press hard in order to release the lock. It's quite difficult (at least with the model I received) at first and feels like I'm going to break the plastic button. But I guess if this is normal then it can be construed as a safety measure so it doesn't easily rotate with a simple touch.

IMPROVEMENTS:

The term "mini" is subjective. It isn't really that compact as I would assume from seeing the photo. It is small, yes. However, as a surge protector that can take 3 AC and 2 USB outlets, I will give Belkin the benefit of naming it a mini device.

I would STRONGLY prefer the re-design of the spacing on the AC outlets by allowing larger plugs connected side-by-side. As it is right now, only normal AC plugs and not block-style plugs are allowed without loosing all three outlets. So my proposal is to delete the middle AC outlet and move it to the end-cap of the device (opposite to the 2 USB outlets). As of now, there is nothing there so rather than cramp the 3 AC plugs, then move the third at the end and thus allowing for block-style plugs to be used and still retaining the 3 AC functionality.

OVERALL:

I would not hesitate to recommend the purchase of this surge protection for compact spaces as well as travel purposes especially with the lifetime warranty and amount of protection is offers.

Other brick-style retail stores are ridiculously selling this at double the price Amazon is currently selling it at. Only a store with the initials of HD is selling it at below what Amazon is offering it. If you live beside that store, go ahead and drop by for it. Otherwise if it's not urgent to get the device and with the current free shipping of Amazon, just purchase it alongside other items and save on fuel.

Says right on Amazon.ca's individual page for this product that this product operates on the Windows platform. Perhaps it would be much clearer to all if those exact words were displayed in larger print and repeated in the product's description. I wanted two USB ports to be able to charge simultaneously and to be able to charge an array of different products through the USB ports, including some made by Apple (and did not see the Windows platform detail) so this product was a disappointment for me. Beware Apple (and some video game console users as well judging from some of the other comments here) users. Makes you wonder who exactly are posting the comments here when you run into claims of what this product can do and then another reviewer claims the exact opposite. Suppose this protector would be good enough for someone needing two additional AC plugs and just one lightweight Windows based USB port for charging.

Pros
-smal form factor
-rotating head
-built in USB charging support
-5 outputs

Cons
-not adequate for some wide connectors, so can only connect 2 devices
-CANNOT charge iPad via USB

Wish list
-Make it iPad compatible
-accommodate wide connectors, e.g. Instead of 3 connectors on the same side, could it be 2 on one side and 1 on another?

I have this plugged in in a location where I often need to charge multiple devices, but also have other attachments. Right now, it is powering two phones, an iPod, and my speaker system.

I also had the occasion to bring it on an over night trip. Instead of bringing multiple adapters, I just had to bring this, and it charged my devices perfectly.

I've had this for a few years now. I use it beside my bed for charging my devices.

Pros:
- lots of ports. 2x USB and 3x power
- rotates to fit almost any setting

Cons:
- Can't charge 2 iPhones at once. If 2 iPhones are plugged in, it will charge the first one that was plugged in. I've noticed that sometimes it will randomly switch between charging each phone that is plugged in. It can, however, charge 1 iPhone and 1 other non-phone device (i.e. an iPhone and a bluetooth headset).
- Can't charge my iPad 3 at all (alone or with another device).
- It's a little wobbly, especially when plugging things into the power ports or usb ports. It comes with a little stabilizing piece of plastic that attaches to the bottom of the powerbar, but it's almost useless.

Overall, it's an ok mini surge protector, but combined with the fact that it can't charge two iPhones at once and can't charge an iPad 3 at all, I cannot recommend this. If you only have one phone and some peripherals, then its ok.

This Item works perfectly well, and is just what I needed. And excellent value for the price, I must say!

Great for USB and computers. Very functional and saved my having to use a full extension cord plug that took up too much space

As a small travel power bar, it works great. Never have enough plugs in the hotels I stay in, so this is a small life saver for that. My only real complaint is there are two USB ports, but I can not charge two devices at once, only one charges and the other dies away. I simply used a normal charger for my phone in one of the 3 120V outlets and my tablet in one of the USB ports and I am OK. But to have two USB ports is very misleading. The only thing its good for is keeping both my phone and tablet wires plugged in but I can only charge one at a time.
The 360 degree swivel on the plug is a nice plus when there are wall outels in odd places.

Really exactly what I needed. Portable, and the fact that you can rotate the bar around the prongs so as to fit it in anyway possible is great.Buy it in a heartbeat.

I have used this surge protector in Europe and south and central America with the utmost convidence.I recently purchased more as gifts to family members.