Converter

SIMRAN 200 WATTS DELUXE STEP DOWN VOLTAGE CNVERTER MODEL SMF-200 FOR FOREIGN TRAVEL.
$19.99
I received this device today and am quite disappointed in it, as it's only rated for 2 amps, is heavy, and the advertisement on the website doesn't state the amperage. So, buyers beware!

To explain my extreme disappointment, you should understand what the traveling and power conversion requirement is and how it works. US/Canadian power is 110/120 volts, and Europe/The Rest of the Universe is 220/240 volts. That's approximately twice what our US/Canadian devices can handle; so you have to get a power converter to step the voltage down to something your devices can handle without getting fried into expensive doorstops or paperweights...or burning your lodgings down with you in them!

The simple solution to the problem is to buy a power converter. But various converters are rated for different outputs. The one I'm reviewing is rated for 200 WATTS maximum, or 1.6 AMPS. This is barely sufficient for my laptop, which has an input power requirement of 1.5 amps. (See your device's power supply for the INPUT AMP REQUIREMENT.) And you can forget a hair dryer - not enough power available!

And because I did not know how the conversion of numbers (from watts to amps) worked, I got caught with my proverbial shorts down when I bought this item.

LET ME EXPLAIN HOW POWER CONVERSION MATH WORKS SO YOU CAN DO THE MATH YOURSELVES:
Watts are a measurement of consumption. The wattage of a device tells you how much power it requires. But you likely have amperage requirements on your device power supply...so how much wattage or voltage do you need in the converter?

It's simple math, thank goodness. Here are the formulae, which I wish I had earlier:
WATTS / VOLTS = AMPS. So, if you have a 200watt converter, you divide by the volatge (120) and get the result of 1.6 amps.
VOLTS x AMPS = WATTS
WATTS x AMPS = VOLTS (not particularly useful, as voltage should be constant)

And, now that I know what to look for, I have found far better options than this item for approximately the same price.

(A big thank you to my electrician friend who explained this to me.)

Zinwell ZAT-970A Digital to Analog TV Converter Box
$49.99
worked fine for a week then aux bypass failed. now have to unscrew and rescrew to watch dvds. also failes to translate local pbs stations(st. louis)

50-WATT International Converter
$14.99
Very well-made and nicely packaged converter. Does exactly what its supposed to do. The only thing i think could have been improved is the size/weight since its pretty heavy/bulky.

Travel Voltage Power Converter Adapter 220v/110v 110v/220v
$24.99
This product should not be sold, much less used by anyone. It is a very high risk to equipment. The instructions are unclear, and just what the device does is not clear either. If you treasure your camcorder, rechargers, or other equipment, don't use this. I am surprised Amazon sells it without giving adequate warning.