The AmazonBasics distribution is no exception, but this can not hold against him. Rather, the distributor has the ability to swing the front socket head, with a snap setting, which is unlocked with the gray button at the center of the distributor.
The benefit will only be recognized if one uses the distributor in the car. Then it is in fact possible to adjust the detent so that the distribution head on the dashboard or the shift tray of the car rests fairly stable. So vibrations are avoided, which would inevitably lead to contact problems.
One can the manifold so as "pinch" that nothing wobbles.
This is also necessary to the 12-V sockets themselves offer no additional maintenance but are simple non-tapered hollow cylinder. The holding forces must therefore be applied from the plug springs of the connected device. Here one has the impression that the plug in the original lighter plug fixed and the distribution rather provides a loose grip.
The plug of the distributor itself fits pretty tightly in my cigarette lighter (Golf). While this is nice, but means that you should take them from the distributor BEFORE make the straight and that consideration should be given only at the front end. Otherwise, the tight-fitting plug ensures that the buckling device is mechanically stressed. On looking closely, one finds namely that the buckling device is not designed for heavy loads.
Mystery gave me on the ring, which comes after the gray adjustment knob. You can turn the ring, but it does nothing. It apparently to be the mounting ring that holds the whole distribution.
*** Supplement on 08.08.2013:
Today, the two sockets GAR did not go. In the investigation of the distributor turns out that this front has a screw cap that ensures the right contacts. This cap had become somewhat loose, tumbling around in the car. Worse, in my attempts to put the distributor in the lighter, the freliegenden capless metal parts must have caused a short circuit. The fuse for the cigarette lighter was blown.
I am now so well that I could easily find out who is responsible for security, have also spare fuses in the car and drive a lot in city traffic. Who makes a long trip and then suddenly, perhaps in the night without electricity for Navi stands - which is nevertheless quite annoyed about the distributor then.
A product which dissolves when besstimmungsgemäßen operation into its component parts and then also ensures shorts, one should not allow actually.
Actually, 1 point (instead of 4), but has since the device until now works so well are 2 points appropriately. But nothing more.
***** End of the supplement
Unfortunately, a manual which gives information about the meaning of this ring is not there.
There is a status LED, which lights up when the distributor is connected. From my perspective, this LED is superfluous and brings a pull only on thoughts, the distributor every time you leave the car - to make sure the LED is not yet working at the expense of battery.
Overall, the distribution is a fine thing that can also compete in terms of cost very well with products from electronics shippers.
Since the connectors are somewhat loose, the function of the ring remains unexplained and the whole structure Although basically works, but does not look like longevity but a point deduction is justified.
One more comment for Frustration-Free Packaging: There simply comes a cardboard box and you do not have plastic waste. For a certain class of products is certainly a pleasant and probably more environmentally friendly packaging.