Home > Consumer Reviews > Three-Way Car Cigarette Lighter Socket Splitter w/ USB Port

I had multiple problems with this.

First, one of the first things I tried to plug into one of the outlets went in too far, to the point where it wouldn't come out (the springy metal parts that compress when you insert something apparently went in so far that they released on the other side of the sleeve, making it impossible to retract), I ended up needing to break the thing to get it out. Subsequently, using the outlets that still worked, I've been afraid to push things in too far, and maybe that's why things often pop out a bit and I need to re-insert them.

Also, I intended to use the USB port to power some speakers, but it was useless for that because it put a horrible noise into the speakers.

So... it basically works... but you need to be sure not to over-insert things, be prepared for things to pop out on their own, and don't use the USB for an audio device.

UPDATE: Even if you push things good and solidly, they often pop out. The final straw... last night, when I pulled the connecting piece out of the car's lighter socket, that whole part of the assembly fell apart, it's various pieces scattered over the floor of the car, and I never got it back together.

This is a cheap product that only worked for about a week. I had difficulty removing it from the socket and I was afraid the cheap plastic would break. Don't waste your time with this splitter.

The product is what I wanted, except it isn't a tight fitting for some things like my cell phone chargers. They wiggle around in the socket and sometimes pop out and/or don't get a good connection. The USB port is the main thing I wanted so that works good I guess, but the 3-way wasn't so good.

This is a decent and cheap option for a 12V DC splitter (the USB output is also great). The only problem I have is that each of the outputs do not have a cover, which means that I have to make some covering for them. I guess it would be kinda dangerous to place some metalic items in there.

This appears to be the same as the VR3 item of same appearance which I bought about 6 months ago. It was great while it lasted because my Dodge pickup has a little "cubby" slot that it slipped into so I didn't have the problem of projecting adapters to bang my knee on or interfere with reaching the ignition key. I could also stuff the excess wire from outlet to device out of the way.

The USB slot was particularly beneficial because it took a small computer light which was helpful for map or other reading without a lot of ambient light in the cab impacting driver night vision.

Having three DC outlets was great: cell phone, GPS, and radar. I suggest these are the minimum power accesses any vehicle should come from but a few more would be helpful for laptop and cooler. But it needs to be engineered to handle the load or draw.

Mine worked very well for about six months and then quit. Don't know if it (1) just failed or (2) somehow a "short" was inadvertently created by contact across two outlets or (3) perhaps it is just marginally able to carry the load when all outlets are in use. Hence, my middle of the road rating.

Note: The VR3 product does not seem to be available at this time????