VCT - 220V/240V AC 13A Universal Surge Protector / Power Strip with 6 Universal Outlets. 50Hz/60Hz - 450 Joules. Max. 4000 Watt Capacity - Heavy Duty European Cord

This is pretty much a big EU to US converter power strip, but you will be happy to have this if you travel often internationally. I used this in Europe, and found it extremely useful when 2 of us where in a hotel room with only one available empty outlet. At the same time, we both were able to plug in our US or EU phone chargers, a kettle, and an electric toothbrush without any problems. It has been used by someone in the family traveling to Europe maybe 2 times a yr over the last 3 years, and so far no problems!

Some of the reviewers don't seem to understand that this product simply adapts the power connectors, but does not change the voltage. Hence, complaints like "my electric toothbrush burned out" are silly. My electric toothbrush clearly states that it operates on 110-120 VAC only, so of course it would burn out if plugged into 220 VAC! This power strip is ONLY for use with items that accept 220-240 VAC. Check your equipment first! Many phone chargers and laptop computer chargers are fine at either 110-120 VAC or 220-240 VAC. But not everything will work at the higher voltage used in Europe.As far as the plug fitting sockets in Italy: during my trip, I encountered two different styles of AC outlet in the hotels we visited. Some hotels had heavy-duty and/or 3-pronged outlets, which fit the larger pins of this power strip without trouble. One hotel had the smaller diameter round pins on their wall outlet, but they provided an adapter for plugs like the ones used on this power strip. How nice of them! A few hotels had only outlets using the small pins, but because I was forewarned, I brought along an adapter to go from the big pins of this power strip to the smaller diameter round pins of the outlet. These adapters are easy to find and inexpensive. Amazon sells them, although I must admit I bought mine at a local travel outfitter before I bought this power strip. Anyway, as a result, I never had a problem with plugging in during my 2-week visit throughout Italy.Of course this power strip is a bit big. But look at the size of the sockets, and the number of sockets provided. How much smaller do you think it could be built??? The size was fine as far as I am concerned. It fit right into my suitcase without difficulty. Although very sturdy, it was not heavy. I am so glad I brought it along. Most hotels had only one or at most 2 available outlets, and we needed to charge a couple of phones and a laptop at a minimum every night.

Used this in Paris, Amsterdam and Bruges in the summer of 2012 and it worked well. Travelling family of 4 with 2 laptops, 1 iPad, phones, Gameboy, electric toothbrushes and the 6 outlets cover them all. I would suggest the 4 outlets one (smaller) from other manufacturers for most families as the laptops don't need to be charged at all times, or you charge the laptops while you are out touring.Paris and Bruges use the same EU standard plug. Amsterdam uses the German Schuko plug standard but they are compatible so no problem there. I didn't have this in the Summer of 2011 when in Italy.Note that Italy does not use the EU standard plug (at least not yet in 2012) so you must bring an adapter for this strip. The EU pins are larger in diameter than that of the Italian so you will not be able to plug this into the Italian socket. You can bring an adapter but I doubt if you will be able to find an adapter that has a ground pin for this strip. It will plug in an adapter w/o a ground pin but without the ground it kind of defeats the purpose of this strip.This is more a home product than a travel surge strip. Point is, it could have been smaller and even lighter. The size probably turned off a lot of people. I have no use of it at home here in the US (I haven't been able to find a EU to US adapter that has a ground for the plug on this strip.) On top of that it is intended for 220V tho. it can be used in our 110V system. It is thus stored in the suitcase for the next trip to Europe. Someone living in Europe can use this for the home and abroad and can get the money's worth.Note also this is not a transformer and is designed for 220V surge suppression. Your appliances that are 110V must still have a transformer to convert 220V to 110V. We had to bring the travel transformer for the toothbrushes and the Gameboy. All of my other electronics are "autovolt" - they self adjust between 100-240V. So the laptops, the iPad, the phones chargers all can plug directly in (univeral sockets) and they self adjust to the 220V system. The toothbrushes and the Gameboy had to wait in turn for the transformer, I only have one. But once charged they last for days so we just charge them in succession. The kids were warned that they were not to plug the toothbrushes and Gameboy in directly so they hand them to me when necessary.Some of the reviewers who blew up their appliances likely is ignorant or forgot (or both) that 110V appliances will die when supplied with 220V. 1 reviewer says it didn't arc or anything and the appliance just died. well, an internal fuse or circuit may have blown w/o fanfare.Oddly, when I plugged the "autovolt" chargers in, they usually arc. But no harm done. Plug the electronics in and it charges perfectly fine.Pros:-Has surge protection-Grounded-Universal socket outlets - accepts mix of US, UK, EU plugs and more-Generously spaced outlets - great for plugging multiple bulky transformers-Light weight-Decent build quality even tho it is lightCons:-Bulky for travelling-Overkill for travelling or if you have less than 4 appliances*I have no experience with it's surge suppression capability as none was encountered in our few weeks in Europe. All I can say is it is better than none at all. Tho. all my laptops I have equipped them with a laptop surge suppressors already.I hope the manufacture/designer is reading this. They would sell a lot more if there is a product geared for travelling than as a home product. If you look at this product, it's design is too encompassing. It has 6 outlets, more than most travellers will need. It's outlets are spaced generously so you can plug in multiple big transformers. (see photos someone posted that compare the size of different strips.) But who travels with that many appliances that need big transformers? The outlets are universal but we only have appliances with US plugs. Yes, you can plug your US, or the hotel's UK or EU plugged hair dryer but I'd rather bring adapters if it will keep this compact. Good thing is they kept the weight low so the only penalty is the size. If you checked the reviews most who bought it use it for travelling and grudgingly accept it's size. Here is the ideal if VCT is listening:Create a travel version that is possible to be 1/2 the size and perhaps up to 50% heavier.1. 4 outlets + 1 built in converted 110V 50W is good enough for most hand held device such as cell phones GPS or toothbrush.2. Main power cord with a US plug (include a set of adapters.) So I can just use it as a regular power strip when back in the US.3. 1 outlet with extra space to accomodate large transformer charger4. Keep the weight low (do understand if there is converted 110V the weight will go up but most travellers will have to bring one unless all appliances sold in US will be "autovolt".)5. A USB outlet will be a huge plusCheck out the couple photos of the sockets in Paris and Amsterdam that I posted.

Good quality surge protector with 6 outlets, been using it for a couple years now, still works great!

Between my wife and I we had six electronic devices to charge -- three cell phones, a camera, and two laptops. This strip is great since you plug in the standard continental plug and it supports 220V no problem, but gives you universal plugs! So we just plug our US plugged iPhones, etc in as normal (being sure all adapters support 220V of course! You do check this first, right?). Worked like a charm. Sturdy and effective.Already recommended this to a friend who recently tried putting a 110V American power strip on a Euro adapter into the wall at his hotel in Europe and fried the strip and blew his hotel circuit breaker. How embarassing! That doesn't work, the 110V strips can't handle 220V. Buy this, a real 220V strip with universal plugs.Definitely worth the luggage space, but a bit large in a commuter laptop bag. Add a few adapters to your order to carry with you for quick charges. This is more of an overnight charger![Update: I also used this successfully in Hong Kong and China. Mainland China has a lot of dual plugs with a slanted three prong (classic Chinese plug when you get an adapter, which I recommend at least one of) coupled with a European style plug so that this power strip actually plugs straight into most hotel plugs without an adapter (tried it in 3 different hotels)]