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Handy Switch
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Vendor Commercial
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ASOTVI Review
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April 11, 2008
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 What is it? A radio controlled switch for a household power outlet.
Major Claims
- No tools, no wiring, no mess
- Wirelessly controls any light – even when it’s across the room
- Works up to 60 Feet
This product is such a simple and practical concept, you’d wonder why homes don’t come with them installed as a standard feature. If you have a room in your house where you wish there were a light switch that controls one of its power outlets, but doesn’t, this product is how you fix that quickly and easily, without having to call an electrician and no rewiring.
Essentially what you have is two components: 1) a small radio receiver that plugs into any ordinary household outlet, whereby an electrical product is then plugged into it, and 2) a radio transmitter switch that activates the receiver, allowing electricity to flow when ON or turning it OFF.
Installation was a breeze. The receiver simply plugs in. The transmitter switch gives you two options to mount its bracket, either a piece of two-sided adhesive tape, or two very small screws. If you’re not concerned about applying tape to drywall (i.e. removing it might damage the drywall) the tape is the easiest to install, with no tools required. If you opt for the two small screws, you will need a small Phillips head screwdriver. Then, should you ever remove the bracket, patching the two small holes would be a very minor touch up.
As to the claim of not needing any tools, this was interpreted to mean any tools with respect to wiring in anything associated with your house’s electrical system. It that context, you won’t need any tools. The whole installation process, even using the screws, was complete in a matter of minutes. You also have the option of not installing the switch at all and keeping it free, such as on a night stand or even in your car (if you use it to turn on a light in a garage or nearby room).
The vendor claims that the transmitter will work up to a distance of 60 feet. We tested that and found it to work just fine at 60 feet and even further. But bear in mind that transmission distances can be affected by the strength of the product’s battery. It can be anticipated that as the transmitter’s battery runs out, it won’t transmit as far. So when you flip the switch and nothing happens, after a long period of working just fine, that’s probably a good indication you need to change the battery.
No evaluation was made with respect to battery life; that would be a function of frequency of use. The product comes conveniently with a battery included (12V size 23A), already installed, and it is activated by removing a small paper tab that separates one of its contacts.
The instructions advise not to use the product for any electrical load over 300 watts, and it is intended for Indoor use only. So that is more than sufficient for most lamps and Christmas tree lights. However, you should check the wattage ratings of anything you might use this product for prior to use. If you plug an extension cord into it, you’ll need to ensure that the total wattage of everything connected to that cord doesn’t exceed 300 watts.
The product also features a small blue nightlight on the receiver when the product is in the OFF position. If you don’t particularly care for the nightlight—for example if it were used in a bedroom where you prefer complete darkness—there did not appear to be any means of deactivating it. We wouldn’t recommend trying to tamper with the product in any way to disable the nightlight, rather a simple small piece of opaque tape might address that issue just fine, or locate it on an outlet behind a dresser or something similar. On the other hand, if you enjoy a nightlight to navigate a room at night without having to turn other lights on and possibly disturb others, this product comes with one.
Summary: This product not only Works as Advertised, we find it to be a Must Have for any room where you need a wall-switched lamp or other electrical device, but the room wasn’t wired that way.
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Product: Handy Switch
Available From: Idea Village
Summary:
- Installs Quickly and Easily
- No Outlet or Wiring Needed
- Works up to 60 feet
Two for $19.99 + S&H
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