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Review: iGo Green Power Tower Surge Protector

iGo's smart Power Tower thinks for us, cutting the juice to a gadget when the load drops sharply like when your cell phone completes a charge. Almost as cool: rotating plugs, so you don't end up with cable kinks!
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Rating:

8/10

WIRED
Automatically cuts juice to devices when they're in Standby mode but has four always-on plugs for constant runners like your DVR and iron lung. Two USB ports for gadget charging. Rotating sockets for wall warts.
TIRED
Tough to get at USB jacks and power button when the unit is on the floor.

Most new "green" power strips help save electricity by shutting off printers and monitors after you switch off your computer. But the Power Tower takes the concept a step further.

The Tower monitors how many amps your gadgets are drawing from its outlets and acts like a faucet, shutting off power when the load drops sharply — like when your cell phone completes a charge. The Tower then checks back periodically to see if the attached item wants more juice, turning the outlet back on as needed. Result: If you leave your phone plugged in, it'll stay charged without wasting electrons between charges.

The Tower also delivers a standard +5V output via USB ports for charging iPods and other USB-charging cell phones. Its green plugs even rotate to avoid cable kinks or wall-wart collisions. One button reactivates all outlets, even if they've entered "green mode."