Jumper cables have been a reliable classic for generations. I remember buying my very first set of cables while I was still in high school. That was more than 40 years ago. Today, professionals do not use jumper cables unless they need to. They prefer purpose-built jump starters.
CloreAutomotive.com makes the Jump-N-Carry and Booster PAC lines of jump starters for professionals and DIYers alike. Their quality and reliability demand a higher price tag. As a consumer, you could buy a cheaper and less robust product, mainly because you will only need it for emergencies. But here is the big question: if you already own a set of jumper cables, should you buy a portable jump starter?
The #1 Reason You Should
There are multiple reasons to consider investing in a portable jump starter. At the very top of the list is being able to jump-start a dead car with no need of any assistance. Think about what that means from a practical standpoint.
Jumper cables and vehicle-to-vehicle jumping still work, but you cannot do it alone. You need somebody else with a running vehicle, someone willing to take the risk of helping you get your car started. Yet finding a willing partner is not as easy today as it was 40 years ago.
With a portable jump starter in your trunk, you do not need to call a family member or friend. You don’t need to call a tow truck operator and pay his expensive call-out fee. Whether you are stuck in a parking lot, at the side of the road, or even in your own driveway, a portable jump starter lets you handle that dead battery on your own.
Other Reasons to Consider Buying One
Not having to call for help is a big deal when you just want to get your car started and get on your way. But are there other reasons for investing in a portable jump starter? Absolutely. Here are just some of them:
1. Safety
Vehicle-to-vehicle jump-starting isn’t always safe. Imagine being stuck on the side of the road during heavy traffic. Trying to position a second vehicle in order to reach with jumper cables could put you and the other driver in danger. There are no such issues with a portable jump starter.
Another thing to consider is that modern jump starters offer built-in safety features to prevent voltage spikes and other conditions that could damage both cars in a vehicle-to-vehicle scenario. Why risk damaging either car when you don’t have to?
2. Convenience
Pulling a portable jump starter out of the trunk and hooking it up to your battery is far more convenient than having to position a rescue vehicle and connect jumper cables between the two. There really is no hassle. Starting a dead car with a portable jump starter usually takes just a minute or two. You are up, running, and on your way in no time.
3. Accommodating Close Quarters
Finally, close quarters are sometimes a problem when attempting to start a dead vehicle. If close quarters prevent another vehicle from getting close enough to use jumper cables, your only other option is to call a tow truck. But even the closest quarters are not a problem for a portable jump starter. Some of the units are so small they are barely the size of a large flashlight.
Jump cables were important pieces of kit when I purchased my first car in the early 1980s. But that was then. Today, a better way to jump-start a dead car is to use a portable jump starter.