5V USB Adapter for 12V Power Outlet

[4xdog]

Here's a cool little item that might find a good home in the second 12V power port on my 2001 Tacoma.

It's a adapter to convert -- on a semi-permanent basis -- one of the 12V outlets into a 5V standard USB. With mobile phones, GPS units, iPods, and so on moving more and more to 5V, I've been looking for a product like this.

Kinda expensive, at c. $35, but exactly what I had in mind.

http://www.cyberguys.com/product-details/?productid=36078

 

[Cobra_R]

Very cool! I might pick that up, it'll come in handy!

 

[VJ95]

That might work for ya, but when I bought one of those to use on my motorcycle the Garmin Nuvi 760 thought it was hooked up to a computer. As a result the only thing it was good for was charging the battery on the GPS.

I ended up buying a garmin cigarette lighter However, the one I bought was from Wal Mart or Best Buy. I can't remember which. Anyway, it wasn't $35.

Check it out before buying. I'd hate for someone to pay $35 for something that didn't work.

Eric

 

[jwhutch]

I may be wrong about the voltage, but I think you can buy those things at Wally World and Target for about $10.

 

[mountainpete]

I may be wrong about the voltage, but I think you can buy those things at Wally World and Target for about $10.

Yup - I have a two outlet version I bought from Wal-Mart for $4. Not pretty looking, but does the exact same job. Charges my BlackBerry and a headset at the same time.

Pete

 

[4xdog]

I gotta report this thing's a loser. I tried one, but it's going back.

It doesn't fit flush in the power port of my 2001 Tacoma, although it's advertised as such. Stands proud about 1/4 or 3/8 inch (6 - 9 mm). One of the things I liked was the idea that I could protect it behind the cover and have it at the ready without hunting for the right adapter. That isn't possible on my Tacoma. Maybe on some other style of power port...


As VJ95 noted above, many adapters like this don't let you navigate with a Garmin Nüvi, and that's the case here, too. This one will charge, but not operate, my Nüvi 360. Charges my Motorola RAZR V3 just fine, but that's a trivial task.

Turns out the item I got wasn't just the lighter adapter, either. It's a full kit including retractable power cord and a lot of adapters, like mini-, micro-USB B, and for some Nokia, LG, and so on mobile phones.


Nicely made, but doesn't meet my needs. I'd suggest forgetting this one.

 

[CYi5]

It is possible to operate the nuvi while plugged into USB, but it's a few hidden key functions and really isn't great for frequent use.

 

[Mekinac]

Ugly but cheap alternative for 0.97$

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=108&cp_id=10826&cs_id=1082602&p_id=3523&seq=1&format=2

 

[dustboy]

I got a pretty clean looking one at Autozone for $12 that has three cig. plugs and a USB 5v. It got installed inside my center console so I can plug in gadgets and let them charge unseen.