Belkin Conserve Valet F7C008q Energy-Saving USB Charging Station

by Belkin

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 10 x 2.8 inches ; 2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B003P2UMR6
• Item model number: F7C008q
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (79 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #17 in Home Improvement > Electrical > Power Strips
  • #24 in Electronics > Accessories & Supplies > Power Protection > Surge Protectors
  • #32 in Home Improvement > Safety & Security > Household Sensors & Alarms
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 15, 2010

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The Belkin Conserve Valet Energy Saving USB Charging Station charges up to four devices at once and shuts off automatically when not in use. It addresses the energy waste that results from idle chargers, which still draw power when they are left plugged into the wall--whether or not a device is attached. The Conserve Valet draws zero power when not in use, so you can keep your devices ready to go without wasting energy.

F7C008 Conserve Valet Energy Saving USB Charging Station At a Glance: Charges up to 4 devices at the same time Frees up wall outlets--replaces up to 4 charging "bricks" with 1 power cord Integrated timer turns off after 4.5 hours of charging time to save energy Creates a designated charge spot, so you always know where your mobile devices are Cord management system to reduce clutter Non-slip surface Limited 1-year warranty

Compatible with most portable devices that can be recharged via USB. View larger.

Secure your USB cords by clipping them to the appropriate eyelet. View larger.

Save Energy, Reduce Clutter
The Belkin Conserve Valet Energy Saving USB Charging Station charges up to four devices at once and has an integrated timer that shuts off power after 4.5 hours to save energy. This device also allows you to free up wall space--just this one unit replaces up to four charging "bricks" with one power cord. And the easy-to-see LED clearly shows all activity.

Designated Charging Spot
To help keep your mobile devices organized and easy to find, the Conserve Valet creates a designated charging spot. Place it on a desk, dresser, or side table, and you'll always know exactly where to find your phone, MP3 player, or camera.

Compatible with Phones, MP3 Players, and More
The Conserve Valet is compatible with most MP3 players, smart phones, digital cameras, and other portable devices that use a USB input to charge. The included Belkin USB cords are compatible with devices that have a Mini-B or Micro-B USB charge port. For added convenience, this device has 4 USB outputs (three located on the rear and one located on the side for easy-access charging).

User-Friendly Design
Designed to be easy to use, the Conserve Valet features push-button start, auto-off, and a auto-start function that kicks in when you plug in additional devices, ensuring the added devices receive a full charge. A non-slip finish on the tray prevents device slippage, an inner spool provides cord storage and management, and cut-outs underneath the tray secure cord placement.

The Conserve Valet Smart USB Charging Station is backed by a one-year limited warranty.

About Belkin's Conserve Products
Belkin Conserve products can help you to do your part by making it easier to reduce your energy consumption.

What's in the Box
Belkin F7C008 Conserve Valet Smart USB Charging Station; one 1-foot USB Type A to Mini-B cord; one 1-foot USB Type A to Micro-B cord; Universal IEC C8 AC power inlet; and one 4.25-foot IEC C7 "figure 8" power cord; and user's guide [PDF].

Conserve Family

F7C016 Power Switch

F7C005 Insight Energy Use Monitor

F7C007 Smart AV Auto-Off Surge Protector

F7C009 Socket Power Timer

F7C008 Valet Smart USB Charging Station

F7C01008q Conserve Switch Surge Protector

"Cut power with the flip of a switch"

"Find electricity wasters"

"A powerstrip that turns off when your TV turns off"

"It's a timer for your energy"

"A home for your mobile devices"

"Remote-controlled surge protector"

Features: Cuts power completely to reduce energy costs Easy-to-see illuminated switch Lets you leave cords plugged in without drawing power

Features: Helps Make Better Energy Decisions Customizable for Different Electric Rates Tracking Feature monitors actual usage

Features: Compatible with all TV brands Simple Setup 1080 joules of surge protection Works with satellite/cable boxes

Features: Easy to Set Saves Energy Keeps Home Safe

Features: Charges 4 devices Shuts off automatically Frees up wall outlets Reduces clutter

Features: Wireless remote with mount Save energy and eliminate standby power 6 wirelessly controlled outlets 2 always-on outlets for satellites and DVRs

Uses: Electric grill, coffee maker, clothing iron, heater, all electric items

Uses: TV, stereo, microwave, heater, all electric items

Uses: TV, DVD player, stereo, cd player, cable/satellite box

Uses: Space heater, curling iron, electric toothbrush, etc.

Uses: Cell phones, mp3 players and mobile devices in general

Uses: TV, DVD player, DVR, stereo, cable/satellite box

Product Description

Belkin Conserve Valet - Energy Saving USB Charging Station (F7C008q)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

69 of 73 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Handy for sure, but could use one more feature . . ., November 18, 2010

By 

Richard Aubin (Dallas, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Belkin Conserve Valet F7C008q Energy-Saving USB Charging Station (Electronics)

(What's this?)

I really like this charger, we brought it down to a small conference and set it up in the conference office. We configured its four ports with two iPhone cables and the included mini-USB and micro-USB cables. I think it is fair to say that the device was a hit - people could put a phone of almost any stripe on the charger. Over the course of the conference, we charged maybe a dozen different types of phones (and even a MiFi) without any issues.

The one problem was the "automatic" timer. As it turns out, it's just a timed 4.5 hour switch - not some kind of smart system that detects current draw. So, if someone puts a phone on it and turns on the charger, it will go off in 4.5 hours - which is fine - unless someone else shows up two hours later and adds their phone (which will only get a 2.5 hour charge). As a result, we had a lot of phones that would not get a full charge because the device had shut off and no one had realized they needed to turn it back on. The indicator light is very, very dim (perhaps part of the energy savings?), so it's not very noticeable from a simple glance if the unit is on - you really have to look at the power light.

It's a good device, but its limitations should be resolved in the next iteration with an option to turn off the power-saving feature or to change the timer length to 8 or 16 hours.

133 of 152 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Video Demonstration of Pros and Cons, November 2, 2010

By 

Debbie Lee Wesselmann (the Lehigh Valley, PA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (2008 HOLIDAY TEAM)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Belkin Conserve Valet F7C008q Energy-Saving USB Charging Station (Electronics)

(What's this?)

Length:: 4:38 Mins

The Belkin Conserve purports to save both energy and clutter; however, as you will see from this video, it could do better with energy conservation and it helps with clutter only if you never remove your charging cables from the valet. In this video, I show you how it works -- and how it doesn't. Points not mentioned in the video because of file size consideration: the surface of the valet is angled, with a gripping surface and bottom lips to keep your devices from sliding off; the supplied USB cables (USB to micro and mini) are really short, which could help reduce clutter for the devices that they actually connect with; the whole unit is lightweight, although rubberized feet prevent it from being knocked off a desk or nightstand.

-- Debbie Lee Wesselmann

63 of 73 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Product Release Disaster...but a solid product, September 4, 2010

By 

ALF Engineer (Colorado, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Belkin Conserve Valet F7C008q Energy-Saving USB Charging Station (Electronics)

After reading the reviews on this product the actual shipment was delayed 2 months. I should have known this was a product with issues.

The good news...it arrived and works OK for charging an iPhone 3G and a Motorola Bluetooth headset.

The bad news...It does not work for a Blackberry Bold 9700 and apparently other devices.

The really bad news and the reason for this review...Belkin's customer support is a disaster.

The unit comes with two short micro USB cables (one typical of cameras and headsets and one that matches the Blackberry adapter) but no explanation as to why. The micro usb cable works fine for the Bluetooth headset. The other cable that fits the Blackberry does not charge the Blackberry and if used requires the Blackberry to be reset by removing the battery.

Tucked into the minimal documentation is a slip of paper I originally missed that indicates a Belkin website for a special cable for the Blackberry Bold and other devices. I went to the site, ordered the free cable and in short order got an email reply from Belkin that my order was received.

A week later no cable. Multiple calls to the 24x7 customer support ended up being disconnected or routed in a circle. The chat option failed with three different Browsers. A email request for customer support required multiple tries to get past the required support description before it was accepted. Again an immediate email indicating reply with 1 business day. FIVE DAYS later an email comes indicating that the cable order was unrecognized, the issue was closed, and a recommendation that I call customer support! This smells like Belkin is still unprepared to support this product on any front.

Being a glutton for punishment I tried customer support again. After ignoring the instructions (none recognize their new Conserve line of products) and finally got a person that transferred me to another person that started to help. 30 minutes later after forwarding the email (from Belkin!) that said my cable was ordered I ended up with a promise to fix and a return call. 24 hours later , no replacement order, no call back.

Whatever Belkin was doing from the time the product was announced and the two months later they shipped; it wasn't telling their customer support organization about it nor was it testing it with common products.

BUYER BEWARE

UPDATE 3 WEEKS LATER: More calls to Customer Support and more emails back indicating no such cable order; I gave up and ordered the cable again. At this point the original packaging is long gone and it does work well on two devices. Surprise...A customer support call back after a disconnect resulted in a promise that the cable would be shipped immediately. I asked for a confirmation email. No email as promised but the free cable arrived...Good news... the cable works and the Blackberry Bold now charges.

The next day another box arrives from Belkin... I now have a bag of 10 of these cables. I can't wait to see what's on my doorstep when I return home this evening! Being a good citizen I called the Belkin RMA number to offer to return all of these extra cables...SNAFU...long time on hold..Raj tells me I called the wrong number; Don't think so but OK; Raj offers to transfer me... click click click... back to Raj! Raj suggests I wait an hour and call back after their phones are fixed...SIGH...I think not.

UPDATE 4 MONTHS LATER:

Since we use this product daily and I have had no contact with Belkin's abysmal customer support since the initial review, I've decided to revise the overall product review due to Belkin's startup woes and comment on the device itself.

We are a no land-line house and this cleans up the clutter & cable mess on the counter. With the right cables it has been happily charging ipods, iPhone, Blackberry, Motorola Bluetooth headset, and misc guest cell phones that use the universal USB adapter. The only thing to be aware of is that small devices charging on their own that draw little current and are completely empty (like the Bluetooth headset) will eventually trigger the auto-shutoff feature and not get a full charge. iPhones and Blackberrys don't have this issue.

New bottom line...buy it you'll like it...unless you need any customer support...but that's true of many companies these days!