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Hot Satechi Gadgets | | Home Satechi CHR-61 4-Way 12V Car Socket Extender Charger Adapter with USB Port | |
|  | |  | | | Satechi CHR-61 4-Way 12V Car Socket Extender Charger Adapter with USB Port | | | | | | | |
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| $24.99
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| $19.99
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| | Features | Extends one lighter socket to power four 12V electronic devices conveniently.Indivdual ON/OFF switch to power each socket. Total power consumption - 10A (120W)USB Port to charge mobile phones, mp3 players, etc. USB - 5V, 800mAPossible to wind the power cord to the body, no mess of cables. Cord length - approximately 21.5 inches.Can be used vertically or horizontally. Size - W5.3 x D1.8 x H2.5 inches
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| | Description | With the increase in hi-tech in-car accessories including satellite navigation systems, radar detectors, fm transmitters and mobile phones the demands on a vehicle's power resources are becoming more and more. With superior quality, design and functionality Satechi CHR-61 has been designed to complement and perform to the same high standards as the high value devices plugged into them. Simply plug it into your vehicle's 12V cigarette lighter to quickly expand from one DC socket to four. It also has a USB Port on it to charge and use other devices such as mobile phones, MP3 players, etc in your car. Supplied with adhesive pad and the ability to rotate 360 degrees, Satechi CHR-61 can be mounted in your car conveniently. | |
| | Product Details | | Product Length: | 5.5 inches | | Product Width: | 3.0 inches | | Product Height: | 2.0 inches | | Product Weight: | 0.36 pounds | | Package Length: | 7.5 inches | | Package Width: | 7.0 inches | | Package Height: | 2.4 inches | | Package Weight: | 0.6 pounds | | Average Customer Rating: |  based on 24 reviews |
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| | Customer Reviews | Average Customer Review: ( 24 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
26 of 28 found the following review helpful:
 Questionable design feature... Apr 09, 2011
By Jim Wood
Anyone contemplating the purchase of the Satechi CHR-61 might want to know about a design feature that's not documented on either the Amazon or Satechi websites.
The Amazon/Satechi photos and descriptions mention LED's associated with each of the 4 main power ports as well as for the USB port. It turns out that there are actually two sets of LED's associated with each of the main power ports and a single fifth LED associated with the USB port.
When the 4 main 12V ports are switched off, blue LED's mounted beneath each push button switch glow brightly. When the ports are switched on, the blue LED's turn off and red LED's mounted above each of the push buttons turn on. The fifth LED associated with the USB port always glows blue, and does not change color, even when an attached device becomes fully charged (as is the case with most USB chargers).
The issue I have is that even when turned off, each of the main power ports' associated LED's are always on with no way to disable them. That means that if you plug this unit into a cigarette lighter socket that always on (as is the case with many vehicles), these 5 very bright LED's could eventually drain your vehicle's battery. I know that LED's typically don't draw very much current, but given enough time, full drain could occur.
Additionally, because they're so bright, I think many might find them distracting, especially when driving at night. While some customers might like these always-on LED's, I don't, and think they're inclusion is a dumb design decision.
Because I was otherwise OK with this unit's design, I decided to try disabling the blue LED's myself. If my experiment failed, no big deal; I'd just trash the thing and purchase something else.
I disassembled the unit by removing 4 small bottom screws, and then, using a pair of needle nose pliers, extracted the 4 main, rectangular, blue LED's from the circuit board. The fifth USB-related LED is round and attaches to the circuit board via 2 lead wires, which can be easily severed using wire cutters. I left the remaining upper row of red LED's intact.
After reassembly (it's a bit tricky to get all the parts aligned properly), I plugged the unit back into my cigarette lighter and determined that removing the blue LED's had no apparent effect on operation. That is, all main 12V ports still operated normally except that now there is no glowing LED when a push button switch is off, but the red LED does glow when a switch is on.
The 5V USB port is now permanently dark, but otherwise continues to function normally. I should note that it's also possible that the remaining circuitry might also draw some small amount of current even when all switches are off, but I have no way to test whether or not this is the case.
If you don't like the always-on LED feature of this unit, but are not inclined to tinker (the hack I describe also clearly voids the warranty), then you might want to consider another product.
By the way, I'd judge the overall build quality of the Satechi CHR-61 to be adequate, though not great. The push button switches don't operate very smoothly, but they're probably OK for their purpose. The circuit board and internal construction look OK to me (I'm a former electronics manufacturing engineer).
As a final note, if you're considering a semi-permanent installation of this unit in your vehicle, you might want to use sticky-back Velcro, rather than the included 3M adhesive pad. While perhaps not as stable as the adhesive pad, the Velcro would allow for easy removal and re-attachment.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
 Works as advertised Jul 05, 2011
By C. Campbell
There isn't much more to say about this product than it works and has worked well with everything I've plugged into it thus far. Right now it is charging my iPhone 3G through the USB port, but it has also charged my GPS and another iPhone through the main sockets at the same time without any problems. It is also a nice option to be able to deactivate the unused ports to ensure that you aren't draining any power from your car battery unnecessarily.
I will also say that the main cord is a nice length and is long enough so that the adapter is currently connected my dashboard socket, but is physically situated between my center console and the passenger seat without any problems. It's a very nice product and I have had zero compatibility issues so far.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Nice 12V car extender. Mar 04, 2011
By Alexandru Nesteriuc
"BiGBaD"
I like the individual ON/OFF buttons for each socket. The blue leds, the adhesive tape on the side that makes it so very easy to install in the care [that actually sold this item for me]. I have tested it plugged in a bunch of devices, everything worked just fine.
5/5
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 Nice Features Aug 01, 2011
By Geekasaurus
I was looking for a 12 volt power strip with USB and and on and off switch. I was glad to find this one which has on and off for each item. I also like that the whole thing rotates so you can turn it to get to the plugs easier and turn it back so the buttons are on top.
The cigarette plug in part seems to be sturdier than my old one. The on off button themselves are somewhat flimsy and I feel could break down the road. Also the high gloss black finish was pretty scuffed up. I have noticed many "new" items made in China lately look worse than items I have had for years.
All in all I am happy with the item so far.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Very Well made Jul 13, 2011
By Anthony Catalano
Bought this to allow me to use the Satechi wireless FM adapter with my iPod in an Audi TT. The Audi is pretty cramped, but the Satechi fit perfectly on the shelf under the glove box. Each of the four outlets has a switch that has an LED that changes from red to blue when switched. The cable, cigarette lighter connector, housing are all well made and fairly robust and compliment the car interior. The cable wraps around the base to adjust its length, and the base has 3M adhesive tape to bond to a surface. I did not use the tape.
My only gripe is that the LEDs cannot be turned off completely and so always represent a battery drain in those cars that don't completely disconnect power from the cigarette lighter socket (like the Audi). One has to remember to disconnect the adapter when exiting the vehicle. LEDs like these draw only 20 mA each which is probably small compared to all the other electronics on-board, but you certainly don't want to leave this on for an extended period. I may install an in-line switch, but then I'd have to remember that!
A minor point is that the switches are behind each of the four individual sockets and may be tough to reach if it is mounted in a tight place (like mine). Again I just pull the main plug out so its no biggie.
See all 24 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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