Feb 10, 16, 12:36 pm
Last edit by: chx1975
First decide whether you need two or three prongs. Even if your current adapter is three prongs take a long hard look at the laptop charger market for a replacement non-grounded adapter. You will save weight and a ton of hassle by not needing a three prong cable and/or adapter. We have a USB C charger wiki which includes the Innergie 60C, a 60W two prong tiny charger for USB C and with an optional cable legacy laptops as well.
Also consider whether your chargers have replaceable AC cords, the so called "figure eight" and "mickey mouse" cords are replaceable; they are readily available on eBay for any nation and it might be a better solution than the original cord + a shape adapter.
Now for plug shape adapters. The current best choices are: MOGICS Bagel/Donut because it's a powerstrip/USB charger/adapter combo and still small enough. Also ran: Gocon Alpha because it's flat. The Wonpro Nano would be good because it's two plugs and very small but it is becoming less and less usable in Europe.
In detail:
Also consider whether your chargers have replaceable AC cords, the so called "figure eight" and "mickey mouse" cords are replaceable; they are readily available on eBay for any nation and it might be a better solution than the original cord + a shape adapter.
Now for plug shape adapters. The current best choices are: MOGICS Bagel/Donut because it's a powerstrip/USB charger/adapter combo and still small enough. Also ran: Gocon Alpha because it's flat. The Wonpro Nano would be good because it's two plugs and very small but it is becoming less and less usable in Europe.
In detail:
- MOGICS has a donut shaped travel power strip, it comes in two variants, one for US plugs only (Donut) one for universal plugs (Bagel). The Donut is pointless, the weight gain is minimal, and it's only marginally thinner, just get a Bagel. Both has two USB ports. Also, their travel adapter while much less universal (US to UK/EU/AU only) is really small, together with the Bagel universal enough and fits inside a grounded Schuko outlet. Bagel weight with case and MA-1 adapter: 6.15 oz. MA-1 alone: 0.92oz. If two USB sockets is enough this is your best choice. Bonus: they have the smallest MicroUSB cord you'll ever see. They licensed their unique shape to the Mara and Masa Kickstarter, once it arrives I will add it to this wiki, until then it's in the USB C wiki.
- The often mentioned Kikkerland is again a totally pointless product. It's a knockoff of an older version of this Japanese product. Either buy the real one or purchase a Chinese knockoff for even less money. There are many knockoffs on Amazon.com for even more money. Note: the original had some problems with the UK now this has been addressed with an added switch. The knockoffs don't have this switch. Knockoff weight: 1.82oz.
- The Wonpro Nano was very good but less so now, read on. Yes it's not flat but it's small enough to be pardoned for it especially because you can plug two devices in. It's quite probably a Nissyo NP-10 knockoff but since the Nissyo is unavailable outside of Japan I can't be bothered. I had more success with this in the UK than the one above but that was before they added the switch so they are now probably even. The way the plug unscrews for the EU plugs allows for a very small physical size. For a while this was a favorite but a fatal flaw has been disovered: some grounded Schuko sockets have child-proof socket shutters built in (and this is now widespread) and these screwed out legs can't unlock the shutters. Some countries, including Portugal, Finland, Denmark, Norway and Sweden, require these which causes almost all power strips now to include them further decreasing the utility of this converter.
- Another useful powerstrip is the Road Warrior 47. Weight: 4.14oz. Especially with this weight the only advantage is being flatter than the Bagel.
- If you need a three pole travel power strip try the Voltage Valet PS2 Travel Power Strip.
- Any unwieldy big brick style plug adapter with sliding out plugs is for the kettles. Exception is the Skross World Adapter PRO because it's an absolutely unique three poles adapter (not counting Chinese knockoffs). Yes, Tumi also sells an adapter like that but if you look closely you'll find the Skross logo on it
Weight: 6.56oz but if you need to convert something with three prongs you have no choice. - Finally, boycott Monster. They are a tax evading patent troll, don't fund them.
Power Outlet Shape Adapter Advice
Dec 23, 16, 11:06 am
#32
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: Aeroplan, AAdvantage
Posts: 2,100
New converter, no moving parts and only $9.99 https://www.amazon.com/WARRIOR-Trave...2QQMCAN0K&th=1 it claims to be Road Warrior but http://www.warrior.co.jp/products/ro...power-adaptor/ there's no sign of it on the actual Road Warrior page.
Dec 23, 16, 6:03 pm
#33
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: RSW
Programs: Delta - Silver; UA - Silver; HHonors - Diamond; IHG - Spire Ambassador; Marriott Bonvoy - Titanium
Posts: 14,148
As I understand it, Chinese I sockets require a ground (earth) pin just as British G ones do; Kikkerland has that feature.
Dec 26, 16, 9:01 pm
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: RSW
Programs: Delta - Silver; UA - Silver; HHonors - Diamond; IHG - Spire Ambassador; Marriott Bonvoy - Titanium
Posts: 14,148
My point was that the GoCon you posted doesn't have a third pin for Type I; it's my understanding that some outlets in China require that. Kikkerland does have a three pin I plug.
Dec 28, 16, 11:50 am
#36
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: Aeroplan, AAdvantage
Posts: 2,100
So https://www.amazon.com/WARRIOR-Trave...2QQMCAN0K&th=1 this is the original that the Kikkerland a knockoff of but with a few glitches fixed.
https://www.amazon.com/WARRIOR-Trave...2QQMCAN0K&th=1 this is a new version with doubtful origins but it still has an attachment for the third leg.
https://www.amazon.com/WARRIOR-Trave...2QQMCAN0K&th=1 this is a new version with doubtful origins but it still has an attachment for the third leg.
Dec 28, 16, 12:43 pm
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: RSW
Programs: Delta - Silver; UA - Silver; HHonors - Diamond; IHG - Spire Ambassador; Marriott Bonvoy - Titanium
Posts: 14,148
https://www.amazon.com/WARRIOR-Trave...2QQMCAN0K&th=1 this is a new version with doubtful origins but it still has an attachment for the third leg.
Dec 29, 16, 4:37 am
#38
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: Aeroplan, AAdvantage
Posts: 2,100
Ah ha. So then this is falsely advertised on Amazon as a Road Warrior product and is not as useful. Good to know. (I wonder how long before I can get people to stop referencing the RW75 as "Kikkerland")
Dec 29, 16, 5:36 pm
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: RSW
Programs: Delta - Silver; UA - Silver; HHonors - Diamond; IHG - Spire Ambassador; Marriott Bonvoy - Titanium
Posts: 14,148
I got my Kikkerland at Bed, Bath and Beyond at a closeout sale, they had a huge inventory, plus a 20% off coupon so it was around $6 after tax. I had just bought a similar red Neo brand model (now discontinued at Amazon) for $10, which came with a spiffy plastic case, unlike the "bare" Kikkerland, but no third Chinese I pin (D yes).
Jul 9, 17, 1:52 am
#40
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: UA 1K and PP, AA PPro (3MM, former CK), Marriott Ambassador and LTT, Uber One
Posts: 1,265
After reading through this entire thread (and a few others) I'm a bit confused so I wanted to check -- ignoring price, which is considered the superior option: the Kikkerland (UL-03A) or the GoCon Alpha (RW101)?
Also, it seems this design would be prone to falling out of the socket since it sticks so far out of the wall, and doesn't have a surface that touches the wall to support it (I realize this design is also an advantage for tight spots). Has anyone had this issue? This is why I'm on the fence between this style and the Wonpro WAT-Nano.
Also, it seems this design would be prone to falling out of the socket since it sticks so far out of the wall, and doesn't have a surface that touches the wall to support it (I realize this design is also an advantage for tight spots). Has anyone had this issue? This is why I'm on the fence between this style and the Wonpro WAT-Nano.
Last edited by ikwia; Jul 9, 17 at 1:59 am
Jul 9, 17, 2:51 am
#41
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: Aeroplan, AAdvantage
Posts: 2,100
tl;dr: If your devices have US plugs on them, and all you want is a plug shape adapter, buy the Mogics MA-1.
As I said before: the Kikkerland is a knockoff of an older version (the RW75). You can still find the RW75WH (WH for white) on Amazon but you can also find the RW101WH as well which works better because of the little switch in the front half and also has a nice cap. There never was a point in buying the Kikkerland as you could either pay for the real one or if you wanted to save money just buy a Chinese knockoff. Mine is from Hong Kong via eBay bought years before I realized they were knockoff of Japanese products -- which were not on Amazon then yet, either.
Nonetheless, today the best adapter is neither. The best today is the Mogics Bagel (you can plug in whatever plugs into this) or Donut (only for US devices), awesome plug shape adapter, power strip and USB charger in one. The plug shape adapter https://www.mogics.com/?page_id=2935 is US-to-AU/EU/UK and since it only accepts US it can be so small the entire adapter fits the EU Schuko socket. Superb neat. Be mindful of not losing it. I lost my first. Bought five after. Haven't lost another since. LOL. https://www.mogics.com/?page_id=3824
The Wonpro Nano has a fatal flaw: many sockets in the EU have child protector shutters in them (see those red spots http://image.made-in-china.com/43f34...Protection.jpg there) and the little screw out legs you can see them in the lower right corner of https://www.wonpro.com/files/WAT.jpg -- these can't push those shutters in. (Or they break. I have broken one trying.) So in the EU you need to look for a socket which doesn't have these little shutters or an unearthed plug. Both are getting rarer and rarer.
As I said before: the Kikkerland is a knockoff of an older version (the RW75). You can still find the RW75WH (WH for white) on Amazon but you can also find the RW101WH as well which works better because of the little switch in the front half and also has a nice cap. There never was a point in buying the Kikkerland as you could either pay for the real one or if you wanted to save money just buy a Chinese knockoff. Mine is from Hong Kong via eBay bought years before I realized they were knockoff of Japanese products -- which were not on Amazon then yet, either.
Nonetheless, today the best adapter is neither. The best today is the Mogics Bagel (you can plug in whatever plugs into this) or Donut (only for US devices), awesome plug shape adapter, power strip and USB charger in one. The plug shape adapter https://www.mogics.com/?page_id=2935 is US-to-AU/EU/UK and since it only accepts US it can be so small the entire adapter fits the EU Schuko socket. Superb neat. Be mindful of not losing it. I lost my first. Bought five after. Haven't lost another since. LOL. https://www.mogics.com/?page_id=3824
The Wonpro Nano has a fatal flaw: many sockets in the EU have child protector shutters in them (see those red spots http://image.made-in-china.com/43f34...Protection.jpg there) and the little screw out legs you can see them in the lower right corner of https://www.wonpro.com/files/WAT.jpg -- these can't push those shutters in. (Or they break. I have broken one trying.) So in the EU you need to look for a socket which doesn't have these little shutters or an unearthed plug. Both are getting rarer and rarer.
Last edited by chx1975; Jul 9, 17 at 3:12 am
Jul 9, 17, 3:10 am
#42
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: UA 1K and PP, AA PPro (3MM, former CK), Marriott Ambassador and LTT, Uber One
Posts: 1,265
Thanks, chx1975. I had seen your posts and found them very helpful. I was inquiring b/c someone had noted some peculiarities with the RW101 in some Chinese sockets (because it lacks true type I support), and someone also observed that the Kikkerland works in Indian/Sri Lankan Type D outlets whereas the RW101 does not.
That is excellent feedback about the Wonpro Nano...thanks.
I am somewhat tempted by the Bagel/Donut, but it looks bigger and heavier than what I am looking for (I'm trying to pack to stay under a 4kg limit). Do you have the dimensions and weight of the Bagel/Donut? I see the thickness on their website (32 and 29 mm, respectively) but not the diameter or weight. I am also unclear what types of plugs each can plug into...the diagram at https://www.mogics.com/?page_id=3824 implies (to me, at least!) that both can plug into the same types of outlets and you need 2 different adapters to get the "worldwide" support. But various product pages at resellers make it seem that only the MA1 adapter comes with them, and the Q&A at https://www.amazon.com/MOGICS-Donut-.../dp/B01LM3HW8G says that the Bagel supports outlet types the Donut does not (the example is the Ireland type G, and the reply is supposedly from Mogics).
That is excellent feedback about the Wonpro Nano...thanks.
I am somewhat tempted by the Bagel/Donut, but it looks bigger and heavier than what I am looking for (I'm trying to pack to stay under a 4kg limit). Do you have the dimensions and weight of the Bagel/Donut? I see the thickness on their website (32 and 29 mm, respectively) but not the diameter or weight. I am also unclear what types of plugs each can plug into...the diagram at https://www.mogics.com/?page_id=3824 implies (to me, at least!) that both can plug into the same types of outlets and you need 2 different adapters to get the "worldwide" support. But various product pages at resellers make it seem that only the MA1 adapter comes with them, and the Q&A at https://www.amazon.com/MOGICS-Donut-.../dp/B01LM3HW8G says that the Bagel supports outlet types the Donut does not (the example is the Ireland type G, and the reply is supposedly from Mogics).
Last edited by ikwia; Jul 9, 17 at 3:22 am
Jul 9, 17, 3:23 am
#43
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: Aeroplan, AAdvantage
Posts: 2,100
I grabbed a little scale and made a few pics but I pressed the wrong button and it measured troy ounces instead of ounces and now it needs charging so I can't redo it immediately. Just add ten percent to the pic or read the list, I did the conversion into normal ounces. https://goo.gl/photos/RPJ4pq4KRCCwagRy8 in order
I found marketing material stating the RW47 weight as 120gram while this measurement is 117gr. Skross states 6.42oz so I would say the data in the list above is good enough.
Observations:
- Mogics Bagel, including case and MA-1, 6.15 oz.
- Mogics MA-1, 0.92oz.
- The giant is the Skross World Adapter PRO, 6.56oz.
- Road Warrior 75 chinese knockoff, 1.82 oz.
- Bonus: Road Warrior 47 powerstrip, three universal sockets to an unearthed Euro plug. 4.14 oz.
I found marketing material stating the RW47 weight as 120gram while this measurement is 117gr. Skross states 6.42oz so I would say the data in the list above is good enough.
Observations:
- The MA-1 is half the weight of the RW 75.
- The Bagel is basically the same weight as the RW 75 + 47 and you get two USB sockets as a bonus.
- The Bagel is lighter than the Skross which is just a plug adapter, but then again, the Skross is grounded so if you need that, then that's the only way.
Last edited by chx1975; Jul 9, 17 at 3:43 am
Jul 9, 17, 3:38 am
#44
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: UA 1K and PP, AA PPro (3MM, former CK), Marriott Ambassador and LTT, Uber One
Posts: 1,265
That's extremely helpful, thanks!
Does the bagel come with a separate adapter to support C/E/J/L plug types? Or does the MA1 handle that? The MA1 product page implies it does, but the diagram on the Bagel and Donut pages imply otherwise.
I wonder what the weight difference is between Bagel and Donut. In the Amazon Q&A, someone says the Donut weighs .25 lb less than the Bagel...that seems unlikely, since the Bagel weighs only .38 lb!
I don't see any advantage to the Bagel if all of the devices to be plugged in are from the US. Am I missing something?
Edited to add: I found a picture of the packaging for the Donut, and the diameter is listed at 83 mm (3.27 in) and the weight at 109 g (3.84 oz); it is unclear if the weight includes the adapter or case. The worst case weight difference between the Bagel and Donut (i.e., assuming the weight on the box includes the adapter and case) is thus 2.33 oz.
Does the bagel come with a separate adapter to support C/E/J/L plug types? Or does the MA1 handle that? The MA1 product page implies it does, but the diagram on the Bagel and Donut pages imply otherwise.
I wonder what the weight difference is between Bagel and Donut. In the Amazon Q&A, someone says the Donut weighs .25 lb less than the Bagel...that seems unlikely, since the Bagel weighs only .38 lb!
I don't see any advantage to the Bagel if all of the devices to be plugged in are from the US. Am I missing something?
Edited to add: I found a picture of the packaging for the Donut, and the diameter is listed at 83 mm (3.27 in) and the weight at 109 g (3.84 oz); it is unclear if the weight includes the adapter or case. The worst case weight difference between the Bagel and Donut (i.e., assuming the weight on the box includes the adapter and case) is thus 2.33 oz.
Last edited by ikwia; Jul 9, 17 at 3:52 am
Jul 9, 17, 3:44 am
#45
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: Aeroplan, AAdvantage
Posts: 2,100
I edited my post, please check it again.
The MA-1 allows you to plug in to C and all its brethen . Both the Bagel and the Donut has a single (very small) US plug. Watch https://goo.gl/zNqfoA from 30 seconds ( i hate the forum converting youtube links into embedded that's why I used goo.gl).
The MA-1 allows you to plug in to C and all its brethen . Both the Bagel and the Donut has a single (very small) US plug. Watch https://goo.gl/zNqfoA from 30 seconds ( i hate the forum converting youtube links into embedded that's why I used goo.gl).
Last edited by chx1975; Jul 9, 17 at 3:50 am
