With today's $1 shipping promotion this item seems pretty good value.
Ebay has cheaper versions that look similar (from $5.49 delivered), but without USB charger and without anyone in AUS giving warranty.
Of particular interest for me: after using the 6010 shopping points I got for the Sandisk USB stick promotion last week I paid only $2.94 out of pocket. Now that is a steal!
Not really. I bought the Sandisk as soon as it dropped to $10.95. It was the best deal around then. Later I saw the extra bonus, which now got me a very cheap travel adapter.
Regarding your link: no carrot, that's a very different product, way too awkward for my liking, lots of parts that can get lost.
The cheapest one I can find that looks identical to the Shopping Square model costs even more on Ebay:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Universal-World-Travel-Power-Plug…
Plenty of cheap ones without USB though.
Doesn't the picture show three separate parts for the black adapter? And can you use the USB charger and the plug adapter at the same time? From the pictures, it looks like you need to swap the end cap - so you either use the USB charger or the normal plug adaptor.
(A bit pointless now since it's out of stock, but I was just wondering.)
Good observation. I mostly looked at the side that goes into the outlet and it seems all required options are selected with the levers on the side and come from the same part.
But you are right, it looks like the input is swapped over between USB and socket. That would be weird, but I guess I won't know for sure until I receive mine.
In a way the marketing worked though: I went to their website last week and again today to find something worthwhile to spend the $6 on.
Last week nothing - postage would have eaten the whole bonus on anything of interest. Today just 1 item I liked. So I fear I won't return unless another good deal on OzBargain catches my eye.
NOTE: This adapter does not change the voltage, it only modifies the outlet.
When it's used as Travel Adapter (with the Universal outlet top), it only modifies the outlet but not the voltage.
When it's used as as USB charger (with the USB socket top), it can be compatible with 100V~240V power socket.
any idea whether the delivery from shopping square is reliable?
got my USB stick via post with no problem. delivered in the delivery window they promised. a fairly good website.
i bought something from them, and it got delivered, they post quite a few things on here so i guess if they got a bad rap there would be a lot of complaints
Thanks for the post, I just bought one.
Would this item be reliable or is it not worth buying cheap universal travel adapters? I'm looking for one to use in Japan, preferably with a USB charger.
I wish I knew. I wonder how much this one is worth? (straight from their website):
"How is the Warranty Work?
ShoppingSquare.com.au Australia provide Australian local Warranty Service for all the Direct Ship Offer items"
I was looking at a few at DX recently.
I guess there's less risk going from 240v to 110v than the other way around, right? The item might just not work, rather than short-out/blow-up!
This adapter does not change the voltage. Most portable appliances come with power supplies that can handle all the common voltages/frequencies. But better check the small print before you plug anything in!
Yeah, most cheap adapters don't change the voltage. Even the DX (voltage) converters were over $20+. I'll check out the fine print tonight on my devices to see if I should buy this, the pull-apart ebay one or another cheapie from DX.
A very good adaptor with just one piece. So only need to carry 1 piece anywhere you go.
I got this 8 years ago (no USB) around $40. So this is a good price :-).
If ever it stops working, most likely the fuse is blown. DO NOT THROW it away. It happened to me once because of a faulty device which I plugged it in and it blew the fuse. I found the fuse from Jaycar but I think it's around $1 for the fuse. This adaptor comes standard with a T2.5A fuse which is a time delayed ceramic fuse. I guess if you can't find the exact same fuse, you can replace it with a similar rated fuse.
2.5Amps is sufficient for most small-medium devices. But for devices which draws much more power like an electric kettle (eg. 2400W), this will definitely blow the fuse.
Photos show a max of 550W.
Remembered I still have a thin wire in place of the fuse in a cheap UK style adapter bought in Malaysia. A big no-no, but improvising is sometimes necessary a long way from a Jaycar. Without a proper fuse, high power is likely to melt the plastic, rather than blowing the fuse!! The fuse had blown when the power point had thrown out sparks. I was only charging my phone. But the pins of the adapter were not properly aligned with that dodgy socket. It still carries the scars of a blackened & melted end of a prong. Time to throw that one out!
If the fuse blows
go to DSE and buy 5 or even 10 amp fuses, that should cover all the use of kettles and even hair dryers.
A very bad idea. Unless you like a fire or melted plastic!!!! The 2.5A fuse if limited for a reason. The design will not handle more without producing heat. Its just cheap plastic with prongs that slide in & out.
Out of Stock
We manage to arrange some more stock at the price, it's available again now.
Please Note the Estimated Handling time for this item -
For all purchase
before 6pm today: 2-5 working days
after 6pm today: 5-8 working days
Good-o, bought 2.
This type only cost $3 each. I bought one in Thailand and backpacked around the world with it, no problems:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Universal-Travel-AC-Power-Charger…
Just bought one. Haven't used paypal in a while and it wouldn't let me choose my credit card; strange. Ended up paying with bpay instead (with my credit card).
Just an impulse buy after reading the comments.
Thanks team teri
From the photos, Max power is 550W @240V / 275W @110V I assume, so no hair driers etc
thanks mate i had no idea what to use my rebate on from usb and i actually needed a travel adapter
used 6000 points and saved myself 10 points
I've got an older model of this - Without the USB
Nicked off my cousin when I was traveling in the UK.
Very very useful if you are a frequent traveler.
I use it here as well when I need to charge stuff that have non ausi plugs
I remember US and Canada plugs have round plug on top, doesn't look like this fits?!
just ordered. I was looking for similar adapter on ebay last week and one exactly similar to this one was for $29
i just ordered one.. so this can charge almost anything USB powered right?
Damn… out of stock and I need one for a coming trip :(
Excellent - back in stock today. Ordered.
Got mine today. Unfortunately, not having luck with the USB charger :(
I guess this proves that reward points marketing works. OP has conveniently forgotten that it did cost $6 to buy those 6000 points.
Cheaper here (with USB charger)
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Universal-World-Travel-Adapter-Co…