Black & Decker Li-Ion VPX Inverter #VPX3101

List Price: $34.92 Discount Price: $16.00

Features:

• Portable power supply with AC and USB access ports
• Charge almost any small electronic device on the go, with no special tips or adapters necessary
• Overload and short-circuit protection; ground fault interrupter circuit technology; LED power and fault indicators
• Includes a soft storage bag
• Weighs 12.6 ounces shipped; covered by a 2-year manufacturer's warranty

Accessories:

Black & Decker VPX903X1 Li-Ion VPX Starter Set with Power Screwdriver, Cut Saw, Flashlight, and VPX Battery with Charger

Customer Reviews:

Good AC, Underpowered USB [Posted on 2008-03-09]
I bought the inverter to do two things: 1) allow me to run an eight watt fluorescent light (for camping, or as a utility light) 2) charge my iphone when I need a little extra runtime. The inverter did fine for the first job. I was impressed how my bulb would get nice and warm, yet the battery would still remain cool. These VPX batteries (LiFePO4 I believe) must have really low internal resistance. However I was disappointed with the USB power source as it is limited to 1.75 watts (350mA)! This is enough power to charge my iPod nano, but not enough for my iPhone (the iPhone doesn't even acknowledge that it is plugged in). I have no idea why the AC can supply 10 watts when the USB can only supply 1.75. Since USB can typically supply 2.5 watts, I suspect this inverter will fail to change many USB devices.

Unique Item That Fills A Role [Posted on 2008-03-15]
This is an interesting little unit as it allows you to charge USB powered items such as a music player or an AC powered item (in my case a cell phone with AC adaptor) without the need to plug into the grid. The unit's size is about 1.5"x6.5"x2" or about the size of a medium flashlight. The weight with battery is 281g or a little less than 10oz. It has an on/off switch on the side so you don't discharge it and the outlets are covered by rubber covers that flip out of the way when in use.

With its light weight and small size, I see this as a something to put in the book bag/backpack to recharge a cell phone, music player or a digital camera. I don't see why it wouldn't be airplane friendly (check all security regulations for yourself) but it would help keep a music player going on a coast to coast flight if you don't have or don't want to bother with a plug-in inverter. In testing, I was able to use the USB and AC simultaneously to charge my Sony music player (USB) and cell phone (AC). They were both pretty well run down and they tapped the VPX3101. It isn't going to power you laptop but it will keep small electronic devices going when short of power.

For the price and if you have or are planning to get other items in the VPX series, I have found this is a useful item. (See follow-up below.) My largest concern is whether or not the rubber caps to the outlets tear off or if the on/off switch fails. Personally, I have a DC inverter for my car (see my review on the Vector MAXX 400) but that requires DC and is limited to my car. It also doesn't do USB. I bought this unit knowing that it required an additional battery and charger but figuring that sooner or later I would need another of the tools and would get those as well. Gold Box came through for me with a $49.99 starter set with battery and charger and now I am complete (in the VPX3101 Inverter sense).

July 5, 2008 Follow-up:

I have now used this device several times to recharge my cellphone and it has performed flawlessly. I can keep it in the backpack use as needed. Glad I had it available.

Underpowered but fills a (small) niche [Posted on 2008-03-30]
This was on clearance at the home center, so I bought it along with the VPX sawzall. I bought it on a "why-not" whim, but doubt I would pay anywhere near what is the normal asking price -- and might not even pay the clearance price if given the chance again.

The AC jack is very low power, it can feed a cell-phone charger, PDA charger, or toy charger but that's about it. It dies with anything needing more wattage such as a laptop.

The USB port is very low power, only 350ma compared the 500ma that most computer USB ports give.

The problem with the VPX inverter is that the charger is quite bulky. The inverter would be worth its weight in gold if it was also a charger -- off AC or USB.

If I needed a USB port on the go to charge my iPod or phone, I'd rather use one of my dedicated rechargeable battery packs with USB ports. They are much smaller -- and more importantly, they recharge off USB.

Power on the go. [Posted on 2008-06-21]
I love this little power supply. I read the other opinions and got the feeling Some of the people didn't give this device a good try. One must also keep in perspective what the device is offering to do. If you want more power (to run a lap top) then get a device that is rated to do so. I myself don't care to carry around a generator or a thirty pound car battery. It works perfect for what it is advertised to do. Plus the batteries are not dedicated. You can operate many devices with the same battery. If you want to cry about the thing I would suggest reading the information carefully and with a modicum of knowledge on the English language. (-: x 16k

Good product [Posted on 2008-07-31]
Works well for its purpose. Have used to charge cell phone and iPod touch. Found out that cannot charge iPod from USB port because power draw is too high. May be able to use USB for charging smaller items. Works well for price.

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