XANTREX POCKET INVERTER 175 (GEN2)

List Price: $69.95 Discount Price: $39.95

Features:

• 175-watt inverter for converting 12-volt DC power to 115-volt AC
• Power electronic gear while on the road
• Compact and lightweight for easy portability
• Includes USB port for charging iPods, Blackberries, and more
• 1-year limited warranty

Customer Reviews:

Pleased [Posted on 2008-08-15]
Did the job! Four seven hour days powering laptop in car. Only complaint, power light not visible in daylight.

It failed and I goofed [Posted on 2008-08-19]
Xantrex Technologies XPower Pocket Mobile Power Source 175-Watt Inverter #813-0291 It totally pooped out and failed after only a few months occasional use. It worked fairly well on some things like 85 watt curling iron and cellphone charger. It would recharge the laptop but struggled to power the laptop if the laptop battery was low. This despite the very low power demand rating on the laptop.

Recently on a long trip it just wouldn't work any more. We looked it over, tried a different cord on it, and it wouldn't respond. Forgetting it had a one year warranty and having no room for dysfunctional stuff, we tossed it in the trash. Rats!

We are shopping for a 400 or 500 watt inverter now. This one was marginal for our laptop and we need to be able to count on the inverter for the things we need it for. I wouldn't recommend this tiny device.

bad item, it crapped out [Posted on 2008-09-17]
Xantrex Technologies XPower Pocket Mobile Power Source 175-Watt Inverter #813-0291

I used this product for about 10 days and then it stopped working, it would overheat and making a high pitched beeping noise with no power output. I would invest in a higher quality inverter, I wish I never wasted my money.

Accessible power on the road [Posted on 2008-11-10]
Finally purchased an inverter to power a laptop and to recharge various battery powered devices on the road. The Xantrex was a nice small unit with enough oomph to charge batteries and run my laptop. This device fits easily in my glove box when not in use.

I have already used the device several times and have been quite happy with it.

My only complaint, I wish the cord that connects the unit to the lighter port was longer so the device could sit on the floor. Other than that minor issue, great product.

Disappointed by product. [Posted on 2008-11-17]
I too bought the unit based on the vendors reputation. It is small and powered my Dell D600 laptop without a problem using the battery adapter, but it got pleasantly warm. But there were some issues.

1. You must press a button to power it on and the small blue LED is very hard to see. If the power is interrupted, you've got to press the button to turn it on again. I'd prefer a slide or rocker switch for always on if powered.

2. The cigarette adapter didn't stay securely plugged into either receptacle on my Dodge 2500 truck. The slightest touch interrupted power and the unit shut off. Other adapters, (which have a shorter nose) worked fine. Attempted to contact the vendor using their contact WWW page to see if there was an alternate adapter.

No response. I've since returned the product.

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