Mini Power Minder or SmartStrip?

[pmc]

I know that the Bits Limited SmartStrip is really popular here. But for half the price, the Mini Power Minder appears to do the same job but with only one outlet.

Both TigerDirect and Cyberguys have the mini for less than $15. The LCG1 is $29.

I already have a normal 7-port power strip in my cab. I figure I can just add a mini and plug the existing powerstrip into the mini.

Is there any significant advantage to the SmartStrip that makes it worth the extra $15-$17?

A couple of things I see:

• The mini appears to mount like a wall wort. So I'd have to add an extension cable if I want to mount it in the cabinet.
• The mini needs a USB port free
• I can only use a mini with a PC or something that provides USB power
• The smartstrip has more features
• The mini is smaller (probably better for bartops)
• With the Smartstrip, I'll get 17-ports of capacity when I connect my existing strip.

Anyone have a mini and is as happy as those with SmartStrips?

-pmc

[Lilwolf]

I believe the differences are that...

SmartStrip works by detecting load on one plug... to turn on the others

And Mini Power Minder takes USB input to turn on the others (this doesn't happen until your in windows).

SmartStrip will turn on the other items much faster (right when the other power turns on).   But MiniPowerMinder will make it so you hide the turn on sequence hiding more.

Take note:  I don't own either... just what I remember... I could be backwards or down right wrong

[grueinthebox]

There's also option C, which would be to make your own SmartStrip using SpyStyle's instructions (http://spystyle.arcadecontrols.com/index81.htm).  Did one of these for my Hang-On cabinet, and it works just as well as the Bits, Ltd strip.  Just make sure you have a decent soldering iron to get the little metal contact strips hot enough to solder to.

[Extreme8]

I believe the USB port power is active as soon as the machine is booted.
I know I have a USB powered LED illuminating my trackball and it fires up when I hit the power switch for the machine.

For the record, I used "option C" and it works like a champ, but if you don't already have the materials on hand the price comes pretty close to the Mini Power Minder.

[rugby1]

I'm in Europe.... does anyone know if they make the mini or smartstrip for 220 power?

[pmc]

The SpyStyle hack seems like an aweful lot of of work for something that the mini and SmartStrip can do inexpensively. I also have a fear of burning the house down. 

-pmc

[wrench]

I'm using the powerminder in my cab setup and couldn't be happier with it.There is no lag in powering up like lilwolf mentioned.I've read some posts on this board of some people having problems with the smartstrips current sensing and powering on the other devices.The power minder simply uses a 5vdc trigger sensed from a usb plug when the power is turned on.I had one problem, the motherboard I have has usb power all the time and could not be disabled,so the power minder would not turn off the secondary outlet when the computer was off.My fix was to cut of the usb plug on the computer side of the powerminder usb cord and ran it inside the case,hooked the red and black wires to the 5vdc wires of a spare molex connector from the computer power supply,works perfectly.I have one button outside my cab and when I press it,the computer starts to boot,cp lights,marquee lights,coindoor lights and monitor all fire up at once.

ref post http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=46266.msg443181#msg443181

[emerica]

There's also option C, which would be to make your own SmartStrip using SpyStyle's instructions (http://spystyle.arcadecontrols.com/index81.htm).