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Tumi USB Cellphone charger and Travel Power Adapter – A “MUST HAVE”
By Troy Saxton-Getty

We found something interesting at the Tumi store and purchased it out of curiosity, it’s something Tumi calls the “USB Cell Phone Charger Kit”. It is way more than a cellphone charger kit, in fact, thats only half the story.

It is a power module that reminds us of a Swiss Army Knife of sorts, a little module, smaller than half a soda can that can adapt power from most of the world’s standards, 140 country support per the documentation.

The kit comes with the power conversion module, a 12v auto USB plug, a retractable USB cable, charging tips for all of the most common power connectors for mobile phones, (only 3 shown here), a dual USB module that plugs into a regular 110v outlet alone, or snaps onto the top of the multi-power converting module and in classic Tumi style, a a great little travel case. (Tumi nice!)

Tumi sells the Adapter without the USB dual port snap on separately, for those who just need power conversion. Tumi calls it the “Electric Adapter with Ballistic Case”. Retail price, $50.00 USD. The kit reviewed here is $95.00 USD which includes everything in the first photo (and many more charging tips not shown)

What is so slick about this power plug adapter is that it’s fully contained. You don’t end up with a collection of power modules in a bag being toted all over the globe and you are not sure which one you are going to use until you arrive, meaning you are carrying every different kind of plug adapter.

With this unit, you have a “switch blade” like ability to extend and retract the power plug needed for the hotel room/country. The front side also allows for multiple formats too (see picture below for the front side)

This is a fantastic product for adapter power both directions, to and from just about any of the common world formats although the two prong round format is missing from the front, you can still plug into the front wider slots with that particular format.

At first glance we thought it might be a bit cheap feeling, but after using it for a a bit, we must say, it is built very well, really high-end manufacturing, we’ve never known Tumi to build anything cheap. (They rival Coach and other high-end bag brands when it comes to warranty)

The USB module plugs into the front face with a regular 110v style plug (it can be just plugged into a wall stand alone and used to offer two USB ports)

Our last and final test was to see if the USB module could charge our iPad2, Many USB chargers offer equal or less than the 1 Amp USB standard, some even 1/2 Amp or less.

To charge an iPad or iPad2 a 2 Amp charger is standard when you purchase the iPad, most USB chargers will not charge an iPad since they offer such low power. The Tumi charger has enough power to charge the iPad and also enough to charge something else in the other port as well. This is great news, you don’t need to carry anything else but this kit to charge two USB devices, one can be a larger power draw like an iPad2.

We are pretty impressed with this tiny adapter and accessories in a great Tumi case, you really can leave everything else behind, no bag of multiple adapters, converters, cables etc. Buy the Tumi charger kit and you have all your power conversion and mobile charger needs covered. What a great product from a great company. Have you tried one of their backpacks? Review coming soon!