Sharper Image Dual Watt Converter - Power converter - AC 220 V - 2 kW - 1 output connector(s) by Sharper Image
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Digital camera reviews of Sharper Image Dual Watt Converter - Power converter - AC 220 V - 2 kW - 1 output connector(s)
Digital camera Review: Horrible Product
Summary: 1 Stars
I bought this product for a trip to India. It seemed to work well for those items needing the low setting but when I tried to use the converter with my hair dryer on the high setting the hair dryer got red hot and blew up within a few seconds. I really hope I can find a travel converter that can work better than this.Digital camera Review: Learn the truth about "Dual Watt Converter" and don't get burned
Summary: 2 Stars
This item offered here (Sharper Image Dual Watt Converter) is actually two different converters built into one package. At LOW setting (up to 25W), it uses a small AC transformer to convert 220V sinusoidal waveform into a 110V sinusoidal waveform. This is the preferred approach which works well for any low power appliance.
To handle higher power, however, the AC transformer must be made bulkier and heavier (around 20 pounds just for 1000W). This makes it impractical as a travel voltage converter for large-wattage appliance. Therefore another method is used by this converter...
At HIGH setting (26-2000W), this convert simply uses a solid-state switch inside to chop off part of the 220V sinusoidal waveform. The resulted waveform, as seen by the appliance, is highly distorted and is far from an 110V sinusoidal AC voltage.
For a purely resistive appliance (such as travel iron or water heater) it works just fine irregardless of different voltage waveform. But if you ever try to power an electronic appliance (such as TV, computer or battery charger) with this distorted 220V waveform, it will probably be fried in an instant!
The product manual did warn against using the HIGH setting for any electronic appliance exceeding 25W. So legally the company is covered. My advise is to stay away from this potentially destructive product - unless you are really, REALLY careful about what to plug in. Chances are, sooner or later somebody will forget about this warning and plug a Xbox into this "converter" - only to get a big BOOM!
If you must bring electronic appliances with your oversea trips, make sure they are rated for universal voltage of 100-240V AC. That way, you can safely use them in other countries without the need for a volatge converter. Power supplies for most portable electronics (laptop, camcorder, cell-phone, electric shavers, etc.) are already designed for universal voltage, although some may require you to physically flip a switch.
But don't forget, even if you don't need a voltage converter, you still must bring a set of plug adapters for foreign countries.
Digital camera Review: Not exactly what I hoped for, but still good...
Summary: 3 Stars
I bought this product because of one of the posted reviews which stated that the purchaser had been able to use their curling iron with it. I took it with me to Scotland and although it worked great for my cell phone charger and my camera battery charger, it was a "no go" for the curling iron. I ended up having to purchase a curling iron in Edinburgh. Hopefully, I will have a lot of friends who will need to borrow it on their trips to the UK to make up for the $50 it cost me to buy it. This is a good product, but don't expect miracles.Digital camera Review: Voltage converter
Summary: 4 Stars
This product performed exactly as promised. It converted the voltage in both Spain and England.Digital camera Review: Worked Beautifully in Europe
Summary: 5 Stars
I took this converter kit to London and Paris last month. It worked well on everything from cell phone chargers and camera battery rechargers to hair dryers and flat irons. It is in a fairly compact soft case so it was easy to pack. It works, what else can I say?