Tripp Lite 375 W Car Power Inverter with 2 Outlets, Auto Inverter, Ultra Compact (PV375)

Comments: This works just amazing for my HP Laptop in my VW Jetta (opt. 120 Amp Alternator). Remember to do the math on how much power you need. Check out your device you want to plug in and know that Watts = Volts * Amps. If your laptop is rated 6.5 Amps at 18.5 Volts, that's about 120 Watts. And you can convert that back again for your vehicle (your car's battery runs at about 12-13 Volts) 120W/12V = 10 Amps. If your alternator doesn't have 10-13 Amps to spare (it certianly should) you're going to stress it. This would typicially only be a concern with much larger inverters (375 - 1000 Watts) or smaller engines (3-4 cylinders).

Pros: High power output without dedicated battery connectors. Attractive color. Two power plugs. Has it's own fuse.

Cons: Fan is fairly loud (roughly equivalent to the level of highway road noise, but not enough to drown out a DVD playing or quiet talking).

Overall Review: Note that it doesn't operate at full power (output) unless the engine is running. For example, could only power one laptop without the engine running; the minute I plugged in the second laptop, the inverter shut off until I started the car.

Comments: Don't waste your time with anything else. This thing charges and runs my 17" laptop without any problems. The inverters made especially for laptops are only good for about 100 watts and cost two or three times as much.

Pros: Price (at the time) power, reliability.

Cons: Noise, smell from capacitor fire when it blew up.

Overall Review: I bought this unit from newegg in march of 06 for $38.00. I used it almost daily on a 4 on 2 off pattern at work. It ran in a wide range of temps and often with low ventilation. The only thing I ever powered from it was a dell 700m laptop which I think uses about 60w at the most. The other day my laptop went dark then the fan went off on the unit. I picked it up and then flames shot out of the side vent. I quickly unplugged it from the lighter and found out it was about 2 years out of warranty....oh well. My guess is I got my money's worth.

Pros: I have owned this inverter for over 3 years and it performed flawlessly until it inevitably died (see Other Thoughts). It worked well for everything I used it for - laptop computer, portable DVD player, cell phone charger, and camera battery chargers. It has a sturdy metal construction and it's very small, it fit well in my tiny glovebox when not in use.

Cons: The on/off switch is a bit too close to the outlet plug. The fuse on the back side seems to stick out further than it needs to, but if you're careful it's not a problem.

Overall Review: While it did die after 3 years of very frequent use (I checked this by trying it in different vehicles, changing the fuse, and cycling the power switch), it wouldn't be fair to view that as a con, and it shouldn't discourage anyone who is considering this item from buying it. Considering the length of time it did work perfectly, it's very inexpensive price, and the fact that it saved me a lot of money by not having to buy individual car adapters for each device I used the inverter for, it's been a great value and I would definitely recommend it. If I hadn't found a different inverter with a bit more power and a fan, I would have bought another one of these for sure. And speaking of fans, I'm not sure if this inverters lack of a fan is a pro or a con.....

Pros: This turned out to be a the first power inverter to consistently charge my laptop. I've tried a couple other brands with higher rated wattage that would often shutoff when connecting my laptop charger, even when by passing the cigarette lighter and wiring directly to the battery. This inverter hasn't given me any issues in several different vehicles powering the same laptop. I was concerned it would get hot being constructed without a fan but that hasn't been an issue at all, it gets warm at worst. It gets thrown around in my back pack to and from and has held up fine, the construction feels solid.

Cons: None.

Pros: Does as specified, also unlisted is it has either a ground loop isolator or a noise filter, when charging a device that is plugged into the radio (headphone out to aux in) there is no alternator noise/whine. no fan built in so its completely silent.

Cons: it turns itself off when you restart the vehicle and doesnt turn itself on, requires a manual off then turn on. only one oulet, would be nice if it had two, or a usb charging outlet

Overall Review: being a trucker and needing a inverter that is dependable and durable i was surprised at the noise filter included, i can run my truck with laptop plugged into the aux in of radio for speakers and not have any whine/hiss. also helpful when charging ipod and listening to music (no radio doesnt have ipod plug, headphone out to aux in only)

Pros: Small, no fan - quite, powers every laptop that I plugged in to it.

Cons: Out of 7 in service the past year, 40 hours a week, only 1 died. Just stopped working and fuse replacement didn't work. Also I don't like how we have to toggle switch off then on when we start the vehicle.

Overall Review: Still can't beat the < $30 for a nice unit.