Visible Energy announces the iOS-controlled "Monostrip" (remote reboot power strip!!)

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
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Huge huge huge product...it's a "smart" 2-outlet power strip:

http://www.visiblenergy.com/products/monostrip.html

Features:

* $49
* Two 20-amp outlets
* Wifi control via iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch) & PC Webpage access
* Realtime power monitoring
* On/off & Timer functionality
* $4 a year for secure use over the Internet & remote energy data collection (first year is free - I'll see if I can bypass it with a home VPN)

Holy cow this is so awesome...a $49 PDU!!! :biggrin: The next cheapest one I've seen is the MinuteMan RPM1521, which goes for $150+ new. The big driver for me is the ability to remotely reset my computers/servers at home - so if something locks up, I can send a signal and reset the power. Coupled with auto-restore on A/C in BIOS and/or WOL, oooh...and if you want to get really nerdy, there's the Spider IP-KVM for under $300: (access BIOS in case your server/computer locks up there with a "Strike F1" or something)

http://www.amazon.com/1PORT-USB-Remo...dp/B000OH5MDO/

Anyway, got my order placed. About $64 shipped. They really nail you on shipping. I'll post back when I receive it! Also, from their press release:

The Monostrip is a Wi-Fi enabled, two-socket smart electrical outlet that can be controlled using an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch and over the Internet through Visible Energy’s own cloud-based energy management platform. The Monostrip connects to the Wi-Fi home network and provides real-time power monitoring, as well as on/off switching and timer control.
 

TwoAlpha

Junior Member
Sep 10, 2012
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We use a LOT (HUNDREDS!) of the Digital Loggers Web Power Strips and PDUs. They allow remote access via HTTP and are scriptable. Biggest feature is AutoPing where we can set an IP to ping monitor and various parameters such as number of failures, ping attempt timing, etc and it will reboot selected outlets if it loses contact with the target IP. Great for remote sites to reboot cable modems and routers that lock up. http://www.digital-loggers.com/lpc.html I don't work for them, just a very satisfied customer.
 

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
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both of your links are dead ...

now it works

I have the basic Monostrip on the way. I'll see how it fares. This will be great for when I'm working via VPN and need to reset. It's rare, but boy oh boy will it be nice to have when it happens :biggrin:
 

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
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Showed up yesterday:

https://twitter.com/weaksauce12/status/248425366765588480/photo/1/large

Two outlets, comes with a fairly stiff power cord maybe 2 or 3 feet long. Here's a more detailed product page:

http://portal.visiblenergy.com/index.php/page/monostrip_description.html

Setup is really easy. First, you download the app (free):

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/energy-ufo/id303338274?mt=8

Then join your iPhone or iPad to it ad-hoc (it shows up as a hotspot, no password) and then give it a name and join the Monostrip as a client on your Wi-fi. Has some LED indicators. Unit is chunky but not enormous. Anyway, that's pretty much it - then just use the app.

Biggest disappointment for starters is that there is no individual outlet control. I guess that's why they call it the "Mono"strip, even though it has 2 outlets. They do not make that clear on their website. Not a big deal, but don't go in expecting to be able to monitor & control two outlets. It just happens to have two plugins is all. imo it would have been better to only have one, and then just have the user use a power strip if they wanted more outlets off a single controller. So poor marketing on their part.

Other than that, works real fast. REALLY fast actually. You can hear an audible "click" when you flick the power switch in the app. It tracks energy usage and cost as well, plus lets you do timers. The first year of the service online is free, then you pay $4 a year for the ability to monitor it online (if you want).

I think it's a really cool idea. Right now I have my cable modem, router, and file server tucked away in a closet and I'm using one of those cheapo Christmas tree power strips with the remote control if I need to power cycle them, so this will be cool to use in place of that. There is an HTTP API for developers, so I'm sure someone will whip something cool with that:

http://portal.visiblenergy.com/index.php/page/articles.html/_/developers/local-http-api

IP discovery tool here:

http://www.visiblenergy.com/UFOGw/discovery.html

Here is the service portal site: (took me awhile to find...)

http://service.visiblenergy.com
 

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
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Complaints: (just to spell them out)

1. Bad advertising - you can only control the unit as a whole, not individual outlets. They REALLY need to make this clear on their website. I'm not sure if it's a marketing spin or just overlooked and a result of bad advertising work. It has two outlets, therefore you should be able to control two outlets individually. Hardware/product name mismatch ;)

2. Setup instructions stink. Connecting to it was easy, hooking it up to Wi-fi was easy (per the included link on paper). I had to spend 20 minutes looking for their Portal website. Then you have to use two separate accounts for their forums and their Portal. I found their online Java-based IP discovery tool in their help docs after some searching (although fairly easy if you know enough to look in your router and see the new device in the client list). They really need to make solid, clear A-Z setup instructions for it.

3. "Click" is somewhat noisy. I'm assuming it uses a cheap electromechanical relay instead of a solid-state one, which would make sense given the price. It's actually kind of nice because you know that it's working, but it has the potential to be annoying if you sit next to it and use it a lot (have no idea why you would do that though).

4. Power cord is somewhat short, maybe 24". Just being nitpicky here. Most of my surge strips are 6', not 2'. Also the power cord is really stiff. So there may be placement issues depending on the length of the cord of the devices you connect it.

5. The onboard webpage is pretty useless. You can connect to the device via the IP address, but all it shows you is the device info (serial, registration key, etc.) and then lets you change the Wi-fi network settings. You can't control it from the onboard webpage, although you can from the web portal on their website. I hope they add an on/off button to the local webpage.

6. Website control is slow. Took up to 2 minutes to turn on or off via the online portal. Not a huge deal, but if I can play Counter-strike with people in Australia in real-time, it seems like it'd be pretty easy to shoot a control packet to this device and make it go fast. The slow online control speed could be a result of the onboard HTTP parsing service, possibly.


Praise:

1. Works. And works fast. It's pretty much imperceptible from pressing the iOS button to it turning on or off. Controllable via iOS device or through the online portal. It takes a minute or two to get the signal from the online portal to the device, but you can turn it on and off from over the Internet that way.

2. Inexpensive for what you get. $49 is a steal for a power strip with Wi-fi control & an embedded webpage. You probably couldn't make it cheaper if you did a DIY project with Arduino.

3. App shows power usage, tracking, cost, on/off, Wi-fi setup, and scheduling. Pretty large amount of features, again for the low price.


Wishlist:

1. Ethernet version.

2. In-wall version. Would love to have an in-wall outlet that did this. I'd also like a "Smart Strip" and "Smart UPS" that ties into it, so you can monitor downstream devices and control their power. It would be really awesome at some point to know exactly how much power every device uses and to be able to turn it on, off, and dim (for lights). btw if you're interested in lighting control, check out National Control Devices.

3. Better instructions.

4. Faster internet control speed (1-2 minutes is way too slow! haha)

5. Silent relay noise (not a huge deal, but y'know...).

6. Updated website for marketing explanation of plug control (not dual outlet control!).

7. On/off control via local webpage.


Overall it feels like a product that is 90 or 95% there. They need some polish on it - more detail on their website & a better setup explanation for starters. I would be interested in an Ethernet version so that it could be hooked up to a watchdog PC easier. I'm not really sure where I'm going to put mine...possibly on my home PC, or else on my cable modem/PFsense/FreeNAS combo setup.
 

emilecamus

Junior Member
Oct 4, 2012
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Disclaimer: I provide customer support for Visible Energy.

> 1 Bad advertising.

Thank you for pointing out but it was not done to advertise the product in the wrong way. We added an explicit sentence to the product description.

The name may be esoteric and possibly an oxymoron, but it is not a mismatch because the root "Mono" in both Latin and Greek means "single".

> 2. Setup instructions stink.

If it was easy to connect and hook up to WiFI could have not been that bad :)

The need for two separate account is only if you want to use the Web Dashboard and it is unfortunate that the Forum/Support software doesn't have an API. We have been told they will have it in the new release.

We are setting up an article for the additional step an advanced user would need and put together all the links in one place. That also wasn't obvious and your comment is very pertinent.

> 3. "Click" is somewhat noisy.

We are actually using a very expensive latching relay. It is expensive because is 16 A, it is UL certified, and it latches the position without using power like the inexpensive ones. The click is from the latch.

A silent solid state relay for 16 A would cost alone more than the rest of the product.

> 4. Power cord is somewhat short, maybe 24".

One of those things that no matter what we do somebody will complain about.

> 5. The onboard webpage is pretty useless.

There is no webpage onboard. The device provides XML and JSON API to interact with the interface that resides in the application.

The only page you see is actually built by the browser for basic WiFi configuration in case an iPhone or iPad is not available.

You can use the API and even with a browser perform all the control and get all the data as an application. It is just returned in machine readable format, that is XML or JSON.

> 6. Website control is slow.

Control from the Web Dashboard uses a one minute rendez-vous cycle. The Monostrip checks from the server every one minute for any remote action needed.
 

Aikouka

Lifer
Nov 27, 2001
30,383
912
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In regard to home automation, I ended up putting my name down for one of those Lockitron things. I saw it the other day when someone on one of these sub-forums linked to MacRumors, and I couldn't resist. Locking my door is such a menial, daily task, that I always forget whether or not I do it.

I think it's a really cool idea. Right now I have my cable modem, router, and file server tucked away in a closet and I'm using one of those cheapo Christmas tree power strips with the remote control if I need to power cycle them, so this will be cool to use in place of that.

I'd probably be a bit wary to place two devices that are imperative to controlling the power unit on the actual power unit that's being controlled. :$ If the modem or router are not on, the power strip cannot check for commands! I'm assuming that you're just sending power cycle commands, but that would be a big bummer if you sent it a power off command. :p
 
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Ganesh_AT

Member
May 15, 2012
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4. Faster internet control speed (1-2 minutes is way too slow! haha)

7. On/off control via local webpage.

I have been evaluating the Energy UFO for a review on AT, and just wanted to chime in on the two points above:

Visiting this webpage: http://www.visiblenergy.com/UFO-O-Matic/ and entering the device IP (local IP address) on the top right enables 'local' control of the unit.

For example, one can navigate to the 'Automation API' section and choose 'Socket 0' and 'OFF' under Switch. Clicking on Switch >> again sets the value OFF to Socket 0 instantaneously (no 1 - 2 minute wait).
 

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
50,880
6,848
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I'd probably be a bit wary to place two devices that are imperative to controlling the power unit on the actual power unit that's being controlled. :$ If the modem or router are not on, the power strip cannot check for commands! I'm assuming that you're just sending power cycle commands, but that would be a big bummer if you sent it a power off command. :p

You have an excellent point there, hadn't thought of that :biggrin:
 

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
50,880
6,848
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I have been evaluating the Energy UFO for a review on AT, and just wanted to chime in on the two points above:

Visiting this webpage: http://www.visiblenergy.com/UFO-O-Matic/ and entering the device IP (local IP address) on the top right enables 'local' control of the unit.

For example, one can navigate to the 'Automation API' section and choose 'Socket 0' and 'OFF' under Switch. Clicking on Switch >> again sets the value OFF to Socket 0 instantaneously (no 1 - 2 minute wait).

Ah cool, thanks for the tip!
 

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
50,880
6,848
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Disclaimer: I provide customer support for Visible Energy.

> 1 Bad advertising.

Thank you for pointing out but it was not done to advertise the product in the wrong way. We added an explicit sentence to the product description.

The name may be esoteric and possibly an oxymoron, but it is not a mismatch because the root "Mono" in both Latin and Greek means "single".

> 2. Setup instructions stink.

If it was easy to connect and hook up to WiFI could have not been that bad :)

The need for two separate account is only if you want to use the Web Dashboard and it is unfortunate that the Forum/Support software doesn't have an API. We have been told they will have it in the new release.

We are setting up an article for the additional step an advanced user would need and put together all the links in one place. That also wasn't obvious and your comment is very pertinent.

> 3. "Click" is somewhat noisy.

We are actually using a very expensive latching relay. It is expensive because is 16 A, it is UL certified, and it latches the position without using power like the inexpensive ones. The click is from the latch.

A silent solid state relay for 16 A would cost alone more than the rest of the product.

> 4. Power cord is somewhat short, maybe 24".

One of those things that no matter what we do somebody will complain about.

> 5. The onboard webpage is pretty useless.

There is no webpage onboard. The device provides XML and JSON API to interact with the interface that resides in the application.

The only page you see is actually built by the browser for basic WiFi configuration in case an iPhone or iPad is not available.

You can use the API and even with a browser perform all the control and get all the data as an application. It is just returned in machine readable format, that is XML or JSON.

> 6. Website control is slow.

Control from the Web Dashboard uses a one minute rendez-vous cycle. The Monostrip checks from the server every one minute for any remote action needed.

Thanks for the response!

I think mostly things just need a little polish. First, as mentioned, double logins, not very detailed instructions, etc. - just needs to be cleaned up a bit. Second, with the advertising thing - I've shown it to 10 or 15 people at work and everyone thinks that because there are 2 outlets and 2 LED lights, that each outlet can be controlled individually - so in line with the natural mapping of the device, I think that the advertising needs to be MUCH more clear on that point - on/off for the unit as a whole, not for individual outlet jacks.

I would definitely like to see an update for the onboard webpage that lets you control it locally - in fact, I'd buy more of them if it had this feature! (don't know if it's possible) If I could sit at my admin desk and just click a link in my browser toolbar, hit reset, and be done, that'd be awfully nice, instead of waiting a minute or so for it to reset online, or pulling out my phone to send the command. It's a small thing, but it'd be nice. Just a thought.

Anyway, cool product at a great price point. I like it!
 

Anonemous

Diamond Member
May 19, 2003
7,361
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Belkin has something like this at Costco where you can control power with your phone. I think it was like $80 for a pair of plugs.
 

Ganesh_AT

Member
May 15, 2012
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Belkin has something like this at Costco where you can control power with your phone. I think it was like $80 for a pair of plugs.

Hmm.. They have a $49 version which can control a single outlet. No energy / power information, though. But, there is the ability to create home automation 'scenes' with the 'If this then that' website. The $99 version adds a motion sensor. There is a slight intersection in the markets served by Visible Energy's products and the Belkin one.

Another competitor, as mentioned by one of the earlier posters in this thread, is Digital Logger's Web Power Switch offering. For anyone looking at PDUs, it would be interesting to hear how you would compare the Monostrip / Energy UFO with something like Digital Logger's Web Power Switch [ http://www.digital-loggers.com/lpc.html ].

The Energy UFO has 4 outlets, each of which can be controlled individually. Costs ~$120 on Amazon. The WPS from DL costs ~$120 for 8 outlets. (Of course, there are other advantages that the Energy UFO has. However, I am interested in what readers think are essential in a PDU / home automation switch)
 

Aikouka

Lifer
Nov 27, 2001
30,383
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However, I am interested in what readers think are essential in a PDU / home automation switch)

Well, I think some of the people on here (at least) tend to care about it for computer equipment. I don't even use standard power strips, but my computer equipment are powered through UPS devices.
 

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
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Well, I think some of the people on here (at least) tend to care about it for computer equipment. I don't even use standard power strips, but my computer equipment are powered through UPS devices.

An inexpensive UPS-PDU would be epic for nerdy home users. I'd buy one! :thumbsup:
 

Aikouka

Lifer
Nov 27, 2001
30,383
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An inexpensive UPS-PDU

Well, a manufacturer would need to know... "what's inexpensive"? Also, what about developing a smaller separate device that connects to the data port? Does the data port also allow for control or is it purely information only?
 

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
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Well, a manufacturer would need to know... "what's inexpensive"? Also, what about developing a smaller separate device that connects to the data port? Does the data port also allow for control or is it purely information only?

The UPS would need a latching relay, as mentioned by emilecamus above - something to physically flip the switches. Beyond that I'd imagine a USB port or Ethernet port would work, because you could use something like a PogoPlug to control it and act as a networked relay server and watchdog server for outages and whatnot.

I'm not sure if it'd be wise to have a UPS and then plug a MonoStrip into that...I know at work, we have power rules against plugging surge protectors into surge protectors - even though it works fine like that, I don't know if there'd be a power or liability issue.
 

bpsg119

Junior Member
Oct 17, 2010
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I'm interested in a device that can turn a power outlet on/off via a schedule for an upcoming vacation. The geek in me, likes the idea of something like this monostrip or the Belkin thing that is able to be controlled and programmed via Wifi and remotely, as opposed to the standard 'dumb' timers people have been using for ages. How well does this monostrip handle scheduling? Is it reliable enough that it can be left alone without any human intervention to execute a schedule for weeks or months at a time? I wish they sold the monostrip through amazon like the UFO.
 

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
50,880
6,848
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I'm interested in a device that can turn a power outlet on/off via a schedule for an upcoming vacation. The geek in me, likes the idea of something like this monostrip or the Belkin thing that is able to be controlled and programmed via Wifi and remotely, as opposed to the standard 'dumb' timers people have been using for ages. How well does this monostrip handle scheduling? Is it reliable enough that it can be left alone without any human intervention to execute a schedule for weeks or months at a time? I wish they sold the monostrip through amazon like the UFO.

From their website:

True Automation
Some appliances waste electricity when they are continuously connected to a power outlet in the so-called active standby mode. Automatic schedules can be set to determine the hours of the day a socket is powered on.

One-time timers are also available to start appliances in off-peak hours and to take advantage of lower electrical pricing during those hours.

http://portal.visiblenergy.com/index.php/page/monostrip_description.html

I haven't done any extensive testing of scheduling myself, but so far everything has seemed to work OK...