Not really a VOLTAGE converter
To actually convert a 220V sinusoidal waveform into a 110V sinusoidal waveform, you need to use an AC transformer. This method is safe for all low-power appliances. For higher power, however, the AC transformer required is bulky and heavy (around 20 pounds for 1000W), making it impractical as a travel voltage converter.

This item offered here (Samsonite Converter/Adaptor Plug Kit with Pouch) does not contain an AC transformer. Instead, it uses a solid-state switch inside that chops off part of the 220V sinusoidal waveform. This is exactly how an incandescent lamp dimmer works. The resulted waveform, however, is highly distorted and is far from an 110V sinusoidal voltage.

The product description says: "powerful 1600 watt converter that adjusts foreign electrical current to help operate most U.S. travel appliances: i.e. irons, hair dryers, etc.". What is not explained here is that it can only be used with simply HEATING appliances, which work regardless of distorted voltage waveform. If you try to use any electronic appliance (such as DVD player, computer or battery charger) on this "converter", it will probably be fried in an instant!

My advise is to stay away from this potentially destructive product. If you must bring electronic appliances with your oversea trips, make sure they are rated for universal voltage of 100-240V AC. That way, you can safely use them in other countries without the need for a volatge converter.

Power supplies for most portable electronics (laptop, camcorder, cell-phone, electric shavers, etc.) are already designed for universal voltage, although some of them may require you to physically flip a voltage-selection switch. Check the user manual or the AC input plug of your appliance to make sure. If that is the case, all you need is a set of plug adapters, which you can get at much lower price than this Converter/Adapter pulg kit.

Reliable and Compact
My daughter is traveling in Spain for a month with a variety of electronics: camera, iPod, hair dryer, etc...She has not needed to use the converter as her electronics are new and include the European voltage. However, she has used the adaptor and it has worked in all the hotel and dorm room outlets. Her friends have borrowed the converter as they have older models of some electronics and it has worked well. it is important to remember that when using a converter you cannot use it for long periods of time to charge batteries; three hours is typically the maximum. This is true with all portable converters and the instructions are clear on this.

Nice Travel Converter
Traveled to China with the converter and ran a curling iron 7 mornings and charged a Nikon camera battery one night. No issues.

The Best Foreign Power Converter for The Money
We've used this converter in Europe and it worked just fine. Friends of mine bought the cheaper $6.00+ units and watched them smoke and start to burn as soon as they plugged them in. I'm a Travel Agent and this is the unit I recommend to all my clients, it's tried and true for most purposes; but not recommended for power gobbling appliances such as irons or heaters. But not to worry, high capacity units are availble on Amazon.com

Not Everything it's advertised to be
I purchased this for use in Ireland. The unit is compact and attractive, but I found it of limited use for my purposes. First..only after I purchased it did I find out that it wasn't recommended for electronic devices such as computers. Then, when we tried to use it with my daughter's flat iron in Ireland, the flat iron kept shutting off! Obviously, that is another use it was not suited for! Have you ever tried to deal with a teenage girl who is frantic that she can't straighten her hair? It ain't pretty!

Finally, even though securely packed in its pouch, one of the power prongs on the converter simply snapped off! Kind of shoddy construction for a Samsonite product! I'm in the process of filing a complaint with Amazon and Samsonite. We will see what happens.