@okaytodd media center energy saving; rope light switch; use 3M Velcro stick to mount controller to a wall and control a floor lamp in a room with bad overhead lighting
@okaytodd Plug the 3 adapters into each other, then into wall outlet. Now plug in any appliance, hit "all on" on remote and appliance will travel into the 3rd dimension.
@okaytodd .. Somehow attach it to your cat's bung, click the remote and it should light up the 'lil bugger like a neon (cat lite not included) test proves some putties enjoy the scenery (the ones watching I'm assuming).
@meow57 got an artificial tree the other year and the tree looked really nice, almost real, but instead of coming with led bulbs it had the old fashioned incandescent bulbs. Told myself when they started to die I would just re-wire the tree with led bulbs. For grins I put an ezwatt meter on it, wow do those incandescent eat electricity! Until I replace them with leds I turn off the christmas tree lights ;)
@dubloe7 Some houses have outlets that are installed upside down to indicate that a switch in the room controls it. So you can plug a lamp in that outlet and use the room switch to turn it on or off.
@dubloe7 sorry. Only said it twice. And only said it twice because I figured everyone doesn't read every single reply. Not trying to be rude.
I'm an army brat, retired army myself. Moved every two years for my first 43 laps around the big ball of fire. And I don't remember ever living anywhere that didn't have a switched outlet per room.
Not saying that to be snarky. Just pointing out that for lots of folks, me in particular, our experiences are a mile wide but only an inch deep. It's easy to make assumptions about folks who happen to live in the same 300+ million nation, that we all do the same stuff, but we're all pretty different with different experiences.
Next subject: who says soda, pop, coke, cola, soft drink, soda water, etc?
for those ordering more than one set. I found this in an Amazon review: " I contacted Ivation and the word came back (promptly, I might add) to confirm that there was no way for the consumer to synchronize the frequencies on two remotes so that multiple remotes can control the same outlet. Each outlet only "listens" to one remote at a time - whichever was the last to be paired with it."
@curtise "non-standard" is relative. It's not standard as in AA, AAA, C, or D but it does seem to be a standard 12V remote battery. It doesn't say it but it looks like the 12V A23 battery.
@Stallion I have a boatload of AAAA batteries. When several of the Radio Shacks were closing in my local area, I went to several of them buying up batteries for pennies on the dollar. I have a powerful green laser pointer that uses those AAAA batteries and now I have a supply that will last at least as long as the shelf life of the batteries.
@cengland0@Stallion I believe it is AAAA's that are inside 9 volt batteries. (6 x 1.5 volts = 9 volts) Which explains part of why 9 volt batteries are so expensive. I have one opened up somewhere - will see if I can find it.
@RedOak All 9V batteries have 6 x 1.5V cells in them. Some have square cells stacked on top of each other and some have those cylindrical ones.
Here's my proud collection of AAAA batteries. I tried to find my laser pointer that uses them and I found 3 others that use AAA batteries but not the one that uses the AAAA. I hope I didn't lose it :(
And here is an AAA and AAAA battery side by side. They are almost (not exactly) the same length but the diameter is much smaller for the AAAA. I'm more than certain I wouldn't want to use the batteries out of a 9V in my laser pointer. I'd be afraid it would leak, short out, or get stuck. The tabs may get in the way too.
I can't decide: A) Make my wife think she is going mad. B) Convince my spouse our house is haunted. 3) Both A & B. I see possibilities with this one...
I have some of these from another brand. perfect for lamps, since you don't have to turn that awful clicking thing (or even be near the thing in the first place).
I also have a bias light on the back of my tv that's USB powered via the tv itself, so I just cut power to the set entirely with one of these.
@Lotsofgoats you convinced me to go in on these after you mentioned this. The only lamp in our living room is the awful clicky kind and none of our outlets connect to the switches.
Back before I went with z-wave devices all over, I had some of these from another company... they surely do come in handy around holidays for the tree(s) and various indoor lights.
@thismyusername I use something similar from a company called Insteon. Those controllers are very expensive EACH. So I bought a set for a couple items that I don't need internet access to control but would like to turn them on/off remotely -- Example is a small bird heater. Only need it on during a couple winter nights and it doesn't have a switch of its own so I'd have to pull out the TV to get access to the outlet and that's annoying. I don't want to buy another Insteon controller either because that would exceed the cost of both the heater and the extra electricity if I just left it on all the time.
Am I right in thinking that if I buy two sets I'll be able to use one remote to control 5 of the six outlet thingees? That's what it looks like in the picture.
@christinerenee It appears you will be able to use 1 remote to control 5, but you cannot use 2 remotes? Looking at amazon reviews came across this: "I contacted Ivation and the word came back (promptly, I might add) to confirm that there was no way for the consumer to synchronize the frequencies on two remotes so that multiple remotes can control the same outlet. Each outlet only "listens" to one remote at a time - whichever was the last to be paired with it."
@ComputerMD82 seems you can use 1 remote for 5 devices, but you can't use 2 remotes for the same devices. Each wall module only lets 1 remote control it. So you could keep the 2nd remote handy in case you loose the first.
Could be a good parent/roommate idea when it comes to bed time. Surprise them after asking them politely to shut it off. If they want to use that TV late at night they're going to have to wade through the wire jungle in the back to do it!
Is there anything available to control these via the computer? I was just wondering the other day what might be available to upgrade/improve a very ancient X10 setup. Needs to work with Linux. I actually need to research this stuff at some point.
@awk you could technically make a controller for the remote to interface it, but to be honest that would drive the cost up another 30-40 so just get a x10 module instead... with a modern x10 module you can also see if the device is already on or off, not gonna be able to do that with this and an interface.
Handy functionality for cheap and very well-liked in those Amazon reviews. But the first reviewer notes these might not be ideal if you cannot see/hear the item you are turning on/off: (they seem to be saying the remote works like a toggle)
"Each button has only one switch under it (I took the remote apart to sniff the protocol). This means you can't send ON or OFF, only able to switch between ON/OFF with one button. If you want to be able to switch devices without being able to see them (for instance, turning off an attic fan or outdoor light) get a different kit."
@RedOak Read more reviews, you will see that the review you mention was referring to an older design, the remote had only a single "toggle" button for each outlet, new one has discrete ON and OFF buttons for each outlet. See image showing "old" and "new" remote design on Amazon page
@UncleMel Thanks. Amazon reviews can be very helpful. Unfortunately Amazon management of reviews (linkage to correct product, shill detection, etc...) is pretty horrible.
We just finished making a space in our garage for our 13 year old to escape from his little brother from time to time. We hung some lights from an outlet in the ceiling and this will be perfect for turning them off! Yay, meh to the rescue.
Nice Meh, good price. I just can't think of a need for it right now, but it is something to have around on standby. That said, I'm going to pass since it's still only $20 from Amazon should I ever find a real need for it.
Almost worth the $10 to buy them to install as a gag at someones desk....turn off then back on every hour or so and see how long it takes tech support to diagnose the power supply as a problem...
@ciabelle My point exactly, just highlighting the ridiculousness of the last picture. I did buy one of these though because my living room wiring is pretty lame. It has light switched outlets, but only on one side of the room. Out of 3 lamps in the room, the light switch only hits one. I think I will just velcro this thing to the wall so I can control all the lamps when I come in and out of the room.
Worth noting that, even though the writeup mentions controlling a space heater, that's probably a bad idea. Most space heaters are 1500W, which is 12.5A. These outlets are rated for 10A.
These are great when you're wiring your newly remodeled workshop and you don't feel like running light switches. They pay for themselves in the copper wire they save.
@jones814 If it is a copyright issue, they could always link to it from the manufacturer. I like seeing the manuals before deciding too so this is a great idea.
@RedOak Not on the page selling them, but what better way to sus out if an item will do what you want it to do, than by reading the manual. I can't find a manual for this anywhere on the interwebs. Meh has a copy of the manual (at least a paper copy they could scan). and post it right there in between the photo of the device from above, and a photo of the device from off to the left.
@Starblind I just happened to catch the first X-Men movie, and Nightcrawler needs to see where he will end up to teleport safely, but he can do it through walls (and did so attempting to save Doc X from the highjacked Cerebro). /nerd rebuttal
I love these things! I have them running all my workshop florescent lights on a single button, my shop vac on another button, my larger 2hp dust collector on a third... just leave the remote in my shop apron and I'm good to go.
I also have one doing some lights in the living room, wife loves it as she doesn't have to climb over the couch to get to the switch.
If you were offering a timer thingy like x-10 I'd buy. Turning things on and off by hand requires too much attention it's just easier to sit there and curse the darkness than click one button. Sorry no sale. you've misread your market unless you're offering the timers on yew.com like the other site does.
FYI, someone has kickstarter that is trying to connect these cheap things to your smartphone. One of the folks is a classmate of mine, so they are legit.
just received mine and the remote is dead... the outlets actually work with the button on them but there's no feedback from remote. might just be that the battery that it came with is dead... will be getting a battery later to check. but just FYI.
@jintheimpaler Are you SURE? Mine works ok, but you have to "demode" them (or whatever it says on the instructions). Plug one in, turn it on. Press and hold the button on the outlet (not the remote) for about 3 seconds. The LED will slowly flash. Press and hold one of the ON buttons on the remote. The LED on the outlet will flash faster. Then turn on and off a few times with that button set (number 1, for example). Mine all work. Also, the LED on the remote should light up when you press a button.
@G1 thanks for the LED on the remote info - yeah, mine was completely dark with no button presses registering. came back from walgreens (local ralphs did not have this kind of battery) and got another and IT WORKS! but lame that i had to pay half as much as the device for a freaking battery... much cheaper on amazon but then i would have to wait. anyway, it works and all is good now... i guess mine was sitting in the warehouse a particularly long time before i got it.
Wish I could have gotten more than three of these; I have my office and living room controlled by these, and I want to implement it in my bedroom.
I'm also looking to get a radio that I can transmit and network, so I can do things like have lights turn on automatically on timer but still control them via remote.
We had a great time with these. Plugged them into the power supply on one of the monitors of 3 co-workers. Spent most of the morning turning monitors on and off, driving some of them nuts. Finally took all 3 and applied them to the 3 monitors of the boss. While he was showing us something late on a Friday we killed his monitors 1 at a time. $10 enjoyed!
@OldCatLady Lol...thanks for reminding me. I have some sitting in the box just waiting for a good reason to be used! And here I was last night wondering how I could easily turn those LEDs on and off.
I wonder how many other Meh items I have laying around that have been forgoten? Just remembered I still have a new USB analog TV tuner for laptops that I got years ago from Woot, before the FCC mandated cutoff. You can have that if it makes you feel any better. ;)
Specs
Condition: New
Warranty: 1 Year Ivation
Estimated Delivery: 5/7 - 5/11
Shipping: $5 or free with VMP
What’s in the Box?
3x Outlets
1x Remote control
1x Remote battery
1x Instruction manual
Pictures
Everything included
Retail box
Side view of oulets, top view of remote
Get your day started right, the lazy way
Price Comparison
$29.99 List, $19.99 at Amazon
Find a relevant price comparison? Please share it in a comment in this thread
Warranty
90 days
price is right, but have no use for it at the moment.
Practical uses?
@Stallion a Clapper alternative for Dr. Kimble's one armed man.
@Stallion Xmas tree, Xmas lights, what else?
@Stallion Christmas trees go by the upside down outlet. Just saved you $10.
@saodell I'm dumb. What do you mean?
@hems79 typically a switched outlet is installed upside down so you can identify it easily.
@belowi That's a thing? I have never seen anything like that in any house I have ever been in.
@Saffer49 It's pretty common, and handy too.
http://www.electrical101.com/split-receptacles.html
@belowi I have those outlets, but none are upside down, so I can see why Saffer didnt know it was a thing
@belowi +1 for having seen/used plenty of split switched receptacles in my day – all right-side up.
@whtthfgg @brhfl I'm definitely not claiming it is universal, otherwise there wouldn't be any need for explanation.
GIve me a list of use cases people. I just need a couple to convince me. I have a wife, some cats, and a toddler. Go!
@okaytodd Because it will sell out and you will regret not buying it For $10 - thats all the reason I need.
@okaytodd media center energy saving; rope light switch; use 3M Velcro stick to mount controller to a wall and control a floor lamp in a room with bad overhead lighting
@okaytodd You could have so much fun tricking your toddler by turning things on randomly across the room.
@okaytodd Lamps, Christmas/general home decorations, stereo, more lamps, fan, iron, outdoor lights/speakers, George Foreman grill, hair straightener...
@okaytodd Plug the 3 adapters into each other, then into wall outlet. Now plug in any appliance, hit "all on" on remote and appliance will travel into the 3rd dimension.
@Moose
@okaytodd Got some ideas, but first, you have to promise not to say "use cases" anymore
@okaytodd you could simulate one of those new-fangled motion-sensing flood lights when neighbors walk by your house while you sit in your car.
@okaytodd office pranks
@okaytodd I used a similar one for a turtle. The basking lamp didn't have a switch so instead of unplugging it, I would just hit the button.
@okaytodd .. Somehow attach it to your cat's bung, click the remote and it should light up the 'lil bugger like a neon (cat lite not included) test proves some putties enjoy the scenery (the ones watching I'm assuming).
@okaytodd There are three of them. One for each.
@saodell What's wrong with use cases?
My first purchase on Woot was a set similar to this. Very simple, very effective. Remote broke after years of use. In for a new set...or three.
@studerc Please explain what you used it for. Give us ideas dammit!
This will be very useful for the Christmas tree. No need to reach to plug it in every effing night.
@hems79 and that is enough for me! I'm in
@hems79 who turns off christmas tree lights?
@meow57 who doesn't plug the tree into the upside down outlet?
@saodell Either stop saying that everywhere, or tell me what the heck you mean.
@saodell Not every house has switched wall outlets - like mine. The switches only control the lights, which are flush mounted or recessed.
@meow57 "who turns off christmas tree lights?" Call your fire dept, they have a list.
@meow57 got an artificial tree the other year and the tree looked really nice, almost real, but instead of coming with led bulbs it had the old fashioned incandescent bulbs. Told myself when they started to die I would just re-wire the tree with led bulbs. For grins I put an ezwatt meter on it, wow do those incandescent eat electricity! Until I replace them with leds I turn off the christmas tree lights ;)
@dubloe7 Some houses have outlets that are installed upside down to indicate that a switch in the room controls it. So you can plug a lamp in that outlet and use the room switch to turn it on or off.
@meow57 I think we finally turned ours off in March or maybe early April.
@dubloe7 sorry. Only said it twice. And only said it twice because I figured everyone doesn't read every single reply. Not trying to be rude.
I'm an army brat, retired army myself. Moved every two years for my first 43 laps around the big ball of fire. And I don't remember ever living anywhere that didn't have a switched outlet per room.
Not saying that to be snarky. Just pointing out that for lots of folks, me in particular, our experiences are a mile wide but only an inch deep. It's easy to make assumptions about folks who happen to live in the same 300+ million nation, that we all do the same stuff, but we're all pretty different with different experiences.
Next subject: who says soda, pop, coke, cola, soft drink, soda water, etc?
@saodell Oh we have switched outlets in every room (just about) but none of them are upside down!
for those ordering more than one set. I found this in an Amazon review: " I contacted Ivation and the word came back (promptly, I might add) to confirm that there was no way for the consumer to synchronize the frequencies on two remotes so that multiple remotes can control the same outlet. Each outlet only "listens" to one remote at a time - whichever was the last to be paired with it."
@webender But can you pair 5 outlets with one remote? That was my hope..
godlike-exceptional-roll
Coys in for 1
I'm excited for the weird green hand and electrical outlet this comes with, per the last image!
@Alien88 I'd be in for one if it came with that coffee mug.
@cengland0 http://www.amazon.com/Big-Mouth-Toys-Toilet-Mug/dp/B002SQG4TU
@Alien88 But where's the baby arm?
@Alien88 That's the one. At almost $10 for just the mug, you can see why I would love it if it was included.
Alien baby arm?
Really tempted to maximize my laziness by buying these but I guess I'm too lazy.
@mehgrl I can't believe I just broke down and made my first Meh purchase. What has become of my life?
@mehgrl . . . and yet you did not turn on VMP - at least for a month. Perhaps also too lazy to turn it off in 30 days?
@RedOak I fear that I might not have the self control to cancel it and will instead buy thousands of knives and speaker docks.
@mehgrl spoken like a true meholic! But one who is on the wagon. ;-)
Be aware, this uses a non-standard battery (12v) which might end up costing a bit of a sum to replace down the road.
@curtise $3.69 per 2-pack on amazon.
@curtise "non-standard" is relative. It's not standard as in AA, AAA, C, or D but it does seem to be a standard 12V remote battery. It doesn't say it but it looks like the 12V A23 battery.
@cengland0 the amazon picture does show a 23A battery within the remote.
@hems79 $1.08 for a 2-pack at Zoro. http://www.zoro.com/i/G2428246/
@cengland0 I never knew AAAA batteries existed until this year.
@hems79 And you can just get them at walmart, they're not really super rare.
@Stallion I have a boatload of AAAA batteries. When several of the Radio Shacks were closing in my local area, I went to several of them buying up batteries for pennies on the dollar. I have a powerful green laser pointer that uses those AAAA batteries and now I have a supply that will last at least as long as the shelf life of the batteries.
@Stallion Or As.
@cengland0 @Stallion I believe it is AAAA's that are inside 9 volt batteries. (6 x 1.5 volts = 9 volts) Which explains part of why 9 volt batteries are so expensive. I have one opened up somewhere - will see if I can find it.
@RedOak Some of them are like the one pictured, some are a stack of six rectangular cells… not quite as useful.
@RedOak All 9V batteries have 6 x 1.5V cells in them. Some have square cells stacked on top of each other and some have those cylindrical ones.
Here's my proud collection of AAAA batteries. I tried to find my laser pointer that uses them and I found 3 others that use AAA batteries but not the one that uses the AAAA. I hope I didn't lose it :(
And here is an AAA and AAAA battery side by side. They are almost (not exactly) the same length but the diameter is much smaller for the AAAA.
I'm more than certain I wouldn't want to use the batteries out of a 9V in my laser pointer. I'd be afraid it would leak, short out, or get stuck. The tabs may get in the way too.
"- Operates via radio frequency through"
@moose?
". . . walls?"
@RedOak
@RedOak (maybe not everything, but walls should be fine, unless your walls are lead or something)
@RedOak ... Radio frequency? Think it'll also access smooth jazz fM..?
For $10....I'll find something to use it for.
I can't decide: A) Make my wife think she is going mad.
B) Convince my spouse our house is haunted. 3) Both A & B. I see possibilities with this one...
@hubster5 I just noticed that there is a button to turn everything on at once. I think you need to incorporate that feature into your plan.
@hubster5 have they met?
@hubster5 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036855/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
@TerriblyHuang I was wondering the same thing.
I have some of these from another brand. perfect for lamps, since you don't have to turn that awful clicking thing (or even be near the thing in the first place).
I also have a bias light on the back of my tv that's USB powered via the tv itself, so I just cut power to the set entirely with one of these.
I also used those Velcro-ish command strips on the remotes and mounted them on the wall like portable light switches. so bonus points for that.
these things are plug hogs, though, so don't bank on using them on a power strip.
@Lotsofgoats you convinced me to go in on these after you mentioned this. The only lamp in our living room is the awful clicky kind and none of our outlets connect to the switches.
@JonT so I'm hired? cool
I'm totally getting one for myself. Trying to decide if it's worth getting two more for gifts...
@christinerenee The recipients will resent you. Don't do it.
@eyewerks Sometimes that is the goal. (Though not usually.)
Woo hoo! Another item for my future garage sale! Right next to my salad shooter and fry baby.
@kaizendan ... I gotta peanut butter spreader to trade for that salad shooter (I need the target practice).
@kaizendan I had to re-read that. At first, I thought you said "baby fryer"
Do it, just do it.
This was such a no-brainier; a bit geeky, cheap and helps me be lazier? I'll take two! This deal exemplifies what I want when I come to Meh.
Well that and @hollboll & @JonT bobblehead dolls.
BOOM! Count me in! I'll now have a remote control fan, lamp, and whatnot.
"meaty-godlike-sponge".....I can't even.
@jsimsace
@jsimsace weird, that's the second order phrase posted that includes "godlike".
@Dash Nailed it - thanks!
@belowi I noticed that as well...sometimes "random" isn't very.
@jsimsace Actualky, it's the occasional repeats that show randomness.
Back before I went with z-wave devices all over, I had some of these from another company... they surely do come in handy around holidays for the tree(s) and various indoor lights.
@thismyusername I use something similar from a company called Insteon. Those controllers are very expensive EACH. So I bought a set for a couple items that I don't need internet access to control but would like to turn them on/off remotely -- Example is a small bird heater. Only need it on during a couple winter nights and it doesn't have a switch of its own so I'd have to pull out the TV to get access to the outlet and that's annoying. I don't want to buy another Insteon controller either because that would exceed the cost of both the heater and the extra electricity if I just left it on all the time.
Am I right in thinking that if I buy two sets I'll be able to use one remote to control 5 of the six outlet thingees? That's what it looks like in the picture.
@christinerenee It appears you will be able to use 1 remote to control 5, but you cannot use 2 remotes? Looking at amazon reviews came across this: "I contacted Ivation and the word came back (promptly, I might add) to confirm that there was no way for the consumer to synchronize the frequencies on two remotes so that multiple remotes can control the same outlet. Each outlet only "listens" to one remote at a time - whichever was the last to be paired with it."
@thismyusername But is there a way to pair them? Or must I use 2 remotes for 5 devices?
@ComputerMD82 seems you can use 1 remote for 5 devices, but you can't use 2 remotes for the same devices. Each wall module only lets 1 remote control it. So you could keep the 2nd remote handy in case you loose the first.
@ComputerMD82 "whichever was the last to be paired with it." seems to imply multiple sequential pairings are possible.
@thismyusername Works for me. Glad I bought 2 sets.
There are VERY few things that I would want to turn on/off remotely that do not require constant power. Perhaps lamps, but other than those not much.
@eyewerks Plus you either have to keep the remote with you, or it's almost always further away than whatever you want to turn off.
@dubloe7 ... Purchase velcro and keep it attached to your shoulder (shouldn't be in the way there).
Could be a good parent/roommate idea when it comes to bed time. Surprise them after asking them politely to shut it off. If they want to use that TV late at night they're going to have to wade through the wire jungle in the back to do it!
@Dash If true, you 're going to have to wade through the wire jungle in the back to set it up.
Is there anything available to control these via the computer? I was just wondering the other day what might be available to upgrade/improve a very ancient X10 setup. Needs to work with Linux. I actually need to research this stuff at some point.
@awk you could technically make a controller for the remote to interface it, but to be honest that would drive the cost up another 30-40 so just get a x10 module instead... with a modern x10 module you can also see if the device is already on or off, not gonna be able to do that with this and an interface.
Anyone think the RF frequency is dangerous?
@mehgrl I recommend this for protection:
@thismyusername Oh good I have one of these already in my closet for those spontaneous electric storms.
@mehgrl terrifyingly so
I keep aluminum foil handy to wrap my junk in case of emergency
@mehgrl ... So long as it doesn't access rap I think it'll be alright.
Handy functionality for cheap and very well-liked in those Amazon reviews. But the first reviewer notes these might not be ideal if you cannot see/hear the item you are turning on/off: (they seem to be saying the remote works like a toggle)
"Each button has only one switch under it (I took the remote apart to sniff the protocol). This means you can't send ON or OFF, only able to switch between ON/OFF with one button. If you want to be able to switch devices without being able to see them (for instance, turning off an attic fan or outdoor light) get a different kit."
@RedOak so all off and all on might potentially just be "all change"?
@RedOak Read more reviews, you will see that the review you mention was referring to an older design, the remote had only a single "toggle" button for each outlet, new one has discrete ON and OFF buttons for each outlet. See image showing "old" and "new" remote design on Amazon page
@UncleMel Thanks. Amazon reviews can be very helpful. Unfortunately Amazon management of reviews (linkage to correct product, shill detection, etc...) is pretty horrible.
HEY, WAKE UP East Coast, these might just sell out early.
catchy-distracting-start
Oh, and eastern Russia, north of Mongolia. (w3w)
We just finished making a space in our garage for our 13 year old to escape from his little brother from time to time. We hung some lights from an outlet in the ceiling and this will be perfect for turning them off! Yay, meh to the rescue.
Nice Meh, good price. I just can't think of a need for it right now, but it is something to have around on standby. That said, I'm going to pass since it's still only $20 from Amazon should I ever find a real need for it.
@UncleMel ... Kinda looks like a Steve Jobs upgrade.
@UncleMel That logo looks like a cartoon fart
This kind of thing was a pretty cool novelty about 15 years ago.
I love these things but I already have two sets that are compatible with each other and they're super small.
Can I use it to turn on my halo2cloud?
Almost worth the $10 to buy them to install as a gag at someones desk....turn off then back on every hour or so and see how long it takes tech support to diagnose the power supply as a problem...
This is great, I've always wanted a way to get my coffee maker to brew when I wake up in the morning without having to walk in and flip it on.
Coffee makers should have come out with this instead of putting that useless clock on there...
@purifiedfire Every coffee maker I've seen with a clock has a programmable brew time feature.
@ciabelle My point exactly, just highlighting the ridiculousness of the last picture. I did buy one of these though because my living room wiring is pretty lame. It has light switched outlets, but only on one side of the room. Out of 3 lamps in the room, the light switch only hits one. I think I will just velcro this thing to the wall so I can control all the lamps when I come in and out of the room.
Worth noting that, even though the writeup mentions controlling a space heater, that's probably a bad idea. Most space heaters are 1500W, which is 12.5A. These outlets are rated for 10A.
@Ceej ... Maybe they're referring to those mealy desktop heaters that meh will probably pawn off on us next week to go with 'em (HA!).
@unkabob naw, meh will wait until August to sell space heaters
Does it bother anyone else that they come in packs of three but the remote has 5 buttons?
@DannoHung all to get you to buy two sets!
@DannoHung or go with this alternative that includes 5 receptacles and two remotes for $23.99, shipped free: http://www.neweggflash.com/Product/9SIA1SK1ET7040
Anyone find the instruction manual anywhere?
These are great when you're wiring your newly remodeled workshop and you don't feel like running light switches. They pay for themselves in the copper wire they save.
Now that I think of it. Wouldn't it be great if meh posted the manuals along with the photos on every item? Or are there copyright issues?
@jones814 If it is a copyright issue, they could always link to it from the manufacturer. I like seeing the manuals before deciding too so this is a great idea.
@jones814 Have you seen the manuals for most of the stuff Meh sells (or for that matter, for the stuff anybody sells)? Question answered.
@RedOak Not on the page selling them, but what better way to sus out if an item will do what you want it to do, than by reading the manual. I can't find a manual for this anywhere on the interwebs. Meh has a copy of the manual (at least a paper copy they could scan). and post it right there in between the photo of the device from above, and a photo of the device from off to the left.
@jones814 Perhaps my sarcasm wasn't obvious enough. Most manuals for this second-tier stuff suck or are non-existent in the first place..
+1 for "dangblasted tomfoolery". But missed out on another +1 for using "malarkey".
Nightcrawler can teleport but can't pass through walls. You're thinking of Shadowcat.
@Starblind I just happened to catch the first X-Men movie, and Nightcrawler needs to see where he will end up to teleport safely, but he can do it through walls (and did so attempting to save Doc X from the highjacked Cerebro). /nerd rebuttal
If I buy this then climb up into the attic to put it in my christmas box, do I have packrat issues?
understood-small-border
I love these things! I have them running all my workshop florescent lights on a single button, my shop vac on another button, my larger 2hp dust collector on a third... just leave the remote in my shop apron and I'm good to go.
I also have one doing some lights in the living room, wife loves it as she doesn't have to climb over the couch to get to the switch.
HIGHLY recommended at this price.
wandering-mirrored-sail
If you were offering a timer thingy like x-10 I'd buy. Turning things on and off by hand requires too much attention it's just easier to sit there and curse the darkness than click one button. Sorry no sale. you've misread your market unless you're offering the timers on yew.com like the other site does.
2001 called they want to place an order
draconian-agile-twig
Deep within a mountain, a hidden cavern, its walls terraced to form seats for the spectators, the floor littered with multi-colored boulders, a gold boulder sitting on a platform above the rest. The spectators, elder Generations of Dracomancers, know these are not boulders, but eggs. Eggs that are due to hatch. Silently, the novices, captives selected from the populace due to the fact that they have the certain 'Thing' needed, march in, apprehensive and afraid, knowing that quite a few of them would die in this chamber.. They had been chosen to become the new generation of Dracomancers, warriors who bond with beasts to defend the Realm. The choosing only occurs once every 100 years. This year was a special year, though. The Previous queen had died, and her heir had been pulled from the corpse, the golden egg that had been imbued with the powers of the Queen. A new Leader of the Dracomancers was to be found this hatching.
Yup, Google is a treasure trove... http://z11.invisionfree.com/shadowspast/ar/t512.htm
The Clapper 2.0
No Georgia Red. . . for that alone, meh.
blessed-hazardous-pegasus
FYI, someone has kickstarter that is trying to connect these cheap things to your smartphone. One of the folks is a classmate of mine, so they are legit.
Fat-miffed-turkey.
http://rs692.pbsrc.com/albums/vv288/samityville_photos/toikey.jpg~320x480
Holy shit, a fourth consecutive sellout. I think Meh needs to start tracking its sellout streaks much like it tracks our meh button streaks.
@lljk and look at how many units they had....
just received mine and the remote is dead... the outlets actually work with the button on them but there's no feedback from remote. might just be that the battery that it came with is dead... will be getting a battery later to check. but just FYI.
@jintheimpaler Are you SURE? Mine works ok, but you have to "demode" them (or whatever it says on the instructions). Plug one in, turn it on. Press and hold the button on the outlet (not the remote) for about 3 seconds. The LED will slowly flash. Press and hold one of the ON buttons on the remote. The LED on the outlet will flash faster. Then turn on and off a few times with that button set (number 1, for example). Mine all work. Also, the LED on the remote should light up when you press a button.
@G1 thanks for the LED on the remote info - yeah, mine was completely dark with no button presses registering. came back from walgreens (local ralphs did not have this kind of battery) and got another and IT WORKS! but lame that i had to pay half as much as the device for a freaking battery... much cheaper on amazon but then i would have to wait. anyway, it works and all is good now... i guess mine was sitting in the warehouse a particularly long time before i got it.
Wish I could have gotten more than three of these; I have my office and living room controlled by these, and I want to implement it in my bedroom.
I'm also looking to get a radio that I can transmit and network, so I can do things like have lights turn on automatically on timer but still control them via remote.
We had a great time with these. Plugged them into the power supply on one of the monitors of 3 co-workers. Spent most of the morning turning monitors on and off, driving some of them nuts. Finally took all 3 and applied them to the 3 monitors of the boss. While he was showing us something late on a Friday we killed his monitors 1 at a time. $10 enjoyed!
@tightwad that is a really brilliant idea, I'm glad you executed it to perfection.
I found a 2-pack of the batteries at WinCo for less than $2. In case anyone's looking.
Why, oh why didn't I buy these to control today's Rope/Tape LED Lights?
@OldCatLady Lol...thanks for reminding me. I have some sitting in the box just waiting for a good reason to be used! And here I was last night wondering how I could easily turn those LEDs on and off.
I wonder how many other Meh items I have laying around that have been forgoten? Just remembered I still have a new USB analog TV tuner for laptops that I got years ago from Woot, before the FCC mandated cutoff. You can have that if it makes you feel any better. ;)
KuoH