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What if you could measure the power of every device in your home? Imagine being able to tell if you really need the 500W power supply or if the cheaper 400W plenty for your computer. Computer Gate sells a device that can answer all your questions on power usage. This device is the Seasonic Power Angel power monitor tester. </p> <p align="center"><a href="atruereview/seasonic/02.jpg"><img src="atruereview/seasonic/02th.jpg" alt="Seasonic Power Angel Power Monitor Tester" border="0" width="213" height="250"></a><br> <font size="-1">Click on image for larger picture</font> </p> <p align="left"><strong>Packaging:</strong></p> <p align="left">Seasonic's Power Angel Power Monitor Tester was shipped in a standard cardboard box. Inside the box were air filled bags for protection from shipping damage.</p> <p align="center"><a href="atruereview/seasonic/01.jpg"><img src="atruereview/seasonic/01th.jpg" alt="Seasonic Power Angel Power Monitor Tester" border="0" width="250" height="190"></a><br> <font size="-1">Click on image for larger picture</font></p> <p align="left">The power monitor comes in a blister package which you will need scissors to open. On the front are some images promoting the power monitor's features, product name, and Seasonic's name.</p> <p align="center"><a href="atruereview/seasonic/03.jpg"><img src="atruereview/seasonic/03th.jpg" alt="Seasonic Power Angel Power Monitor Tester" border="0" width="189" height="250"></a><br> <font size="-1">Click on image for larger picture</font></p> <p align="left">Diagramed instructions are provided on the back of the box along with the power monitor's features.</p> <p align="left"><strong>Features and Benefits:</strong> </p> <p align="left">These features can be seen on Computer Gate's <a href="http://www.computergate.com/products/item.cfm?prodcd=XTKOPA">web site</a>.</p> <ul> <li> Just plug Power Angel to the main outlet, and then connect the appliance or equipment to the receptacle on the Power Angel. The power tester LCD display will be lit when the appliance is powered up. </li> <li> Measure your power equipment and show the true power consumption of equipment. </li> <li> Get rid of low power factor equipment since it wastes energy and generates heat. </li> </ul> <p><strong>Applications:</strong> </p> <ul> <li> Power testing and monitoring. </li> </ul> <p><strong>Specifications:</strong></p> <ul> <li> Meter function: 8-in-1 function 1. Voltage meter 2. AMP meter 3. W and VA meter 4. KWH meter and Timer 5. Hz and power factor (PF) meter </li> <li> Dimension: 133.6(L) x 70(W) x 39.6 (H)mm </li> <li> Max voltage: 120V 50/60Hz </li> <li> Max power: 1875VA </li> <li> Max current: 15 A </li> <li> Power consumption: 10W max. </li> </ul> <p><strong>Description:</strong></p> <p>Five function buttons are included under the LCD display on the Angel Power Monitor. These buttons from left to right allow the user to select from Voltage, Amps, Watts, Hertz (frequency), and KiloWatt Hours. Push on the Watts button twice and VA or Apparent Power is measured. Push on the Hertz button again and Power Factor is measured. Push on the Kilo Watt Hours button and it will display the time measured.</p> <p>The Angel Power Monitor supports up to 15 AMPs so don't try to plug it into the dryer, which you won't be able to because it supports only 110AC lines as well.</p> <p><strong>Testing and Usage:</strong></p> <p align="left">To use, plug the monitor into the wall. Then plug the device in into the monitor. The monitor will take up both outlets. Push the buttons to see your current usage. The monitor does not predict the energy usage based on the time passed so far. Instead Kilo Watt Hours is a summation of watts used for the total time passed. To predict what a device uses per hour, just use the Watts or divide Kilo Watt Hours by the hours running.</p> <p align="center"><a href="atruereview/seasonic/04.jpg"><img src="atruereview/seasonic/04th.jpg" alt="Seasonic Power Angel Power Monitor Tester" border="0" width="181" height="250"></a><br> <font size="-1">Click on image for larger picture</font></p> <p>I tested the monitor against a cheap multi-meter I had. I could only measure ACV but it gave me something tell if the monitor was way off or not. Both devices are inexpensive so the percent of error on their calculations is pretty high, probably about 2%. Both the power monitor and multi meter were within a percent of each other on this test. One other test I did was to measure the accuracy of the Watts. I tested a lamp with a 60 Watt bulb in it, the monitor told me it was using 59 Watts. </p> <p>I went around to a bunch of home devices. The cool thing about the Angel Power Monitor is that you learn some interesting stuff. The most surprising is, I found that my girlfriends computer, a Celeron 2.0GHz computer with 15 inch monitor, only took 150 - 170 Watts during normal use. With no monitor it was 110 - 130 Watts. No need for a big 500 Watt PSU on this computer. My computer pushed out 230 - 250 Watts with a 21 inch monitor, dual HDs and an Athlon 2.4 GHz.</p> <p>The best use for this device is if you are worried about shotty power in your house. You can test the wall outlets to see if they are safe to plug a computer or other expensive device into. </p> <p>Other important things the Angel Power Monitor can test against are overloaded surge protectors and overloaded outlets. If you plug a surge into the monitor and see that the power used is 15A then you know a little too much is plugged. These kinds of hazards can be prevented from common sense, but sometimes people need a digital display to prove it to them that it is a hazard.</p> <p>A way, and the way Seasonic promotes, that this device may pay for itself is by identifying what burns power in your house. The monitor might tell you to buy a new fridge, space heater, or window air-conditioner, because in buying them you will save money over the long run. You can figure out if a you really need a 500W PSU or if a 400W supply is enough. Finally, if you are looking for a UPS, this device will identify how much battery you need. </p> <p><strong>Conclusion:</strong></p> <p>Seasonic Power Angel Power Monitor Tester is interesting device. If you are in need of a cheap power tester or want to test your wall outlets, it is perfect. If you are looking to calculate some ways to save money around the house, it is also worth thinking about. It will provide a guide for saving power and might teach you the importance of turning devices off. </p> <p>With that said, it's hard to say that everyone should run out and buy this device. I myself went around the house, checked out the TV, computers, blender, blow dryer, and a few other devices. What is left to check out now? Nothing. I can calculate what my biggest power spenders are with the Angel Monitor, but I know that already from common sense. Don't leave the TV, lights, and computer running when you aren't in the room, anyone knows that will save power and money, just not how much. This device just shows you how much or how little; therefore, if you don't want exact figures you can get by without one. Then again, maybe showing the kids what they are wasting and deducting it from their allowances, is worth the $30.</p> <p><strong>Pros:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Tests a variety of power ratings for devices</li> <li>Not very expensive</li> </ul> <p><strong>Cons:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Practicality</li> <li>Only works with devices up to 10A</li> <li>Only works with 110 AC not 230</li> </ul> <p><strong>Ratings:</strong></p> <p>Good</p> <p>(Ratings Possible: Terrible, Very Bad, Bad, Fair, Good, Very Good, Excellent)</p> <p> </p> <p> </p></td> <td background="../Images/sidebackrt.jpg"width="25" height="739"></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="25" background="../Images/botlftcor.jpg" height="23"></td> <td background="../Images/botback.jpg" height="23" width="490"></td> <td width="25" background="../Images/botrtcor.jpg" height="23"></td> <tr> </p> </div> </td> </tr> </table> </div> <div id="footer" class="clr"> <div class="rk-1"> <div class="rk-2"> <div id="the-footer"> <script type="text/javascript"> var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? 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