Auto, the gadget to always keep with you in case the battery “dies”.

Few things can ruin a day faster than the silence of one low battery when trying to jump start your car. If you’re unlucky, your best bet is to find someone with a working car and jump leads who can help you restart your car. If you are prepared, however, you can solve the problem in seconds.

It is in these cases that one of my favorite gadgets comes in handy: theportable jump starter Noco Boost Plus Gb40. I keep it in the trunk of my car and in terms of convenience, it has already paid for itself. This 1000 amp, 12 volt device is capable of recharging most cars. While its benefits are obvious, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Noco’s jump starter really can be a lifeline.

Fundamental ally in emergencies

In my case, this aspect became evident on one occasion when I was returning home from a very distant location. I was faced with 24 hours of driving spread out over several days – the perfect time to find out my car battery was dying. Even though the alternator was fine and the car ran fine once the car started, the battery couldn’t hold a sufficient charge. The third time I started it, it ran out.

Without the jump starter, my options would be limited. I could have taken the car to a garage to have the battery replaced but that would have taken some time. Alternatively, I could have bought a battery and replaced it myself (this is a simple enough procedure for many cars); since I didn’t have the tools with me, though, the procedure would prove itself more expensive than necessary.

In both cases, then, I should have called roadside assistance or another service provider, or wait for someone to load my car. While it’s always nice to get help from a helpful stranger, it’s not exactly a contingency plan.

Excellent value for money

Luckily I didn’t need to do any of that, thanks to the jump starter I kept in the car. Noco’s device, fully charged, allowed me to charge my car once several timesso that I could complete the journey home (it should be stressed that I personally would not advise you to rely on a jump starter all the time – replace dead batteries as soon as possible).