{"id":1401,"date":"2016-06-16T13:23:33","date_gmt":"2016-06-16T03:23:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mikesgear.com\/?p=1401"},"modified":"2022-08-03T01:55:49","modified_gmt":"2022-08-03T01:55:49","slug":"allocacoc-powercube-extended-remote-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mikesgear.com\/?p=1401","title":{"rendered":"Allocacoc PowerCube Extended |Remote| review"},"content":{"rendered":"

A little over 18months ago, I wrote about the Allocacoc PowerCube<\/a><\/strong> – a neat solution to plugging in all your wall-warts to one powerboard. Now, after completing the lengthy and torturous Australian testing and approval process, Allocacoc have released a new twist on this product to the Australian market – the PowerCube Extended |Remote|<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Why is a powerboard worth writing about? This one is quite intelligent, as it turns out – read on to find out why.<\/p>\n

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Packaging and included parts<\/h3>\n

The PowerCube Extended |Remote|<\/strong><\/a> comes in the same simple plastic carton as it’s predecessor, and will fit fine into an Express Post bag.<\/p>\n

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Included in the carton is a set of instructions in multiple languages, a clip that lets you mount it to a desk or wall using strips of double-sided tape, the PowerCube itself with a 1.5m-long cable and screw-mount cable-clip, and it’s battery-free remote button. The pic below shows the included clip attached to one of the power sockets, and stuck to the underneath of my desk – you lose the use of one of the four power sockets if you do this.<\/p>\n

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Like the original PowerCube (a made-in-China, designed-in-Holland product)<\/a><\/strong>, this new version has a quality feel to it, with smoothed edges, concise English packaging and manual text, and up-to-date design language.<\/p>\n

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The ones being sold in Australia are made specifically for our market – be aware that ones available on eBay and shipped from outside Australia may not be suitable for use here – we’ve seen China-mainland-market ones without the plastic safety sheathing on the mains-plug pins, for example.<\/p>\n

The PowerCube has been carefully engineered to make sure that any bulky power packs you attach to it’s four 240v outlets will not interfere with each other. The big orange button built-in to the unit switches all of the power sockets on\/off at the same time. A subtle white light on the button-face lets you know if the unit is on or off, and it also flashes when you are “pairing” it with remotes.<\/p>\n

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The remote button is a lightweight pad with a big silicon-feeling button that requires a firm press to work – it makes a positive click when it bottoms out, which suggests it uses a piezo<\/strong><\/a> mechanism paired with a capacitor of some sort to generate and store enough power to send it’s radio signal.<\/p>\n

I tried to pry the remote apart to see what makes it tick, but as there’s no screws, and it is either glued together, or clipped very firmly, I gave up before I injured myself.<\/p>\n

The PowerCube Extended |Remote|<\/strong><\/a> is similarly devoid of externally-accessible screws, although you can expose some screws<\/a><\/strong> when you pry off one of the faces – note that opening one up is not recommended, as there’s no user-serviceable parts inside – only high voltage!<\/p>\n

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It’s supplied with two stick strips on the back, which can hold it down, and are re-usable when moistened. The Allocacoc promo material mentions that it could be used as a foot-operated switch, so it should be reasonably sturdy.<\/p>\n

How does it work?<\/h3>\n

Connect the PowerCube<\/strong><\/a> to a mains socket, and press the button built-in to the PowerCube for 5 seconds – when the curved white light starts flashing, tap the remote once, and it’ll pair the two of them. Each time you press the remote after that, the unit will cycle through on \/ off states. The PowerCube<\/strong><\/a> won’t forget button pairings if you disconnect it from mains power.<\/p>\n