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Showing posts with label automobile. Show all posts

Friday, September 22, 2023

NOCO Boost Plus GB40 1000A 12V Car Battery Jump Starter Review

NOCO Boost Plus Car Battery Jump Starter

Every car or vehicle owner should own a NOCO battery jump starter and keep it in the automobile! It works on automobiles, motorcycles, ATV, watercraft and more.

When an automobile battery dies, it is often at inconvenient times, in inconvenient places and without warning. In my 40 years of driving, I have only had one car battery that died at home. Usually, we are in a store parking lot, traveling, or at work.

We had maintained a AAA membership for decades for just such occasions, but they don't arrive on the scene immediately. As a matter of fact, we most often have to wait for an hour or two for assistance. Depending on where we are, the time of day, and the weather, waiting over an hour is rarely reasonable.

We also have jumper cables in every vehicle, but that requires the help of a Good Samaritan with a vehicle. Sadly, when you are stranded and a car pulls up next to you, it isn't immediately obvious if you are about to be greeted by a kind soul or a criminal.

Therefore, the NOCO battery jump starter is a necessity for every car. You charge it when you first purchase it and put it in the vehicle, ready for use when needed.

Being able to jump start your vehicle without assistance from anyone else, or any other vehicle, is truly fabulous!

NOCO GB40 Car Battery Jump Starter

NOCO Boost Plus GB40 1000A UltraSafe Car Battery Jump Starter, 12V Jump Starter Battery Pack, Battery Booster, Jump Box, Portable Charger and Jumper Cables for 6.0L Gasoline and 3.0L Diesel EnginesIt takes less than 3 hours to charge the jumper starter when you first purchase it and you charge it in the safety of your own home, at your convenience. Then, simply put it in your vehicle to use when needed. It will last for up to 20 jump starts before it needs to be recharged.

It also has a built-in flashlight with multiple flash modes including a strobe light or SOS.

Safely connect to any 12v vehicle
Water Resistant
Use in any climate
Heavy duty booster clamps
Portable Power Bank with USB port for charging cell phone, tablet, or other USB device
Microfiber storage bag included
2.4 pounds

Another notable benefit of having the NOCO battery jump starter is that regardless of where or how you are parked, you can get to your vehicle battery without having to pull another vehicle into position to assist with jump starting. Most of us pull straight into a parking place which limits access.

This car battery jump starter is very easy to use. The easiest way to see that, is to watch this very short video.

Friday, February 10, 2023

Automobile Windshield Snow Cover for Ice and Snow Reviewed

A few years ago, we were picking up a family member at the airport when I saw an SUV decked out with this windshield cover. I thought it was genius! Ice and snow were imminent in our area that day. I am certain the driver of that vehicle didn't wish to return to a windshield that needed to have ice and/or snow scraped off before they would leave.

I went home that very night and did a search for a windshield cover that would fit our SUV. Since we park it on our driveway, it is constantly exposed to whatever weather hits. Unfortunately, in our area, we are more likely to get ice or at best, a wintry mix. It is a very cold job to scrap a windshield.

We have plastic scrapers in all of our vehicles in case we are caught out when the weather moves in. However, this windshield snow cover is easy to carry in the car and cover the windshield on a work day if ice or snow are predicted.

Driving on ice is dangerous enough. We don't need to exhaust ourselves scrapping the windshield before we get behind the wheel to drive home.

I do recommend keeping a large plastic trash bag in the car for temporary containment of the wet windshield cover for the drive home, after it has been used. That will protect the vehicle carpeting. The cover does come with a storage bag, but I would only put a dry cover in the storage bag.

Windshield Snow Cover

Windshield Snow Cover, FOVAL Car Windshield Cover for Ice and Snow Frost with Side Mirror Protector, Safe Luminous Strip, 4-LayerCheck PriceI found there are many choices for windshield covers. I opted for an inexpensive one with great reviews. With our icy winters, I expected to need to replace it after a few years of use. Thus far, replacing it has not been necessary.

The Foval cover is waterproof, snow-proof, frost-proof and won't scratch your windshield or paint. The cover does extend over the windshield wipers and covers the exterior door mirrors. Having the protective bottom layer is just as important as being waterproof.

It only takes few minutes to put the cover over the windshield and "tie" it down. We attach the bottom straps to the wheels (as shown in the manufacturer image on the right), but we literally tie the back straps to our luggage carrier on top of the SUV instead of attaching them to the back wheels. That is what works best for our SUV which sits up higher than the vehicle in the photo on the right.

As you can see in the images below, our SUV has folding side mirrors. Instead of inserting the mirrors into the mirror pockets, we fold our mirrors in and simply cover them with the cover. If we used the windshield cover on one of our cars, it would be necessary to cover the mirrors with the cover mirror pockets so it is wonderful to have them as part of the cover.

This definitely beats trying to tape cardboard over the windshield!

Monday, January 4, 2021

Reviewing Grypmat: the Ultimate Tool Mat

When I give gifts, I try to give something that connects with that person's passion. Or something that is very practical. It is a happy moment when I give a gift that hits both marks. I gave the Grypmat to my best friend and he immediately let me know how wonderful this product is.

What is a Grypmat?

A Grypmat is a trademarked, silicone tool organizer that sticks to surfaces and so much more.

Grypmats:

come in a variety of sizes
are made of silicone polymer and "special ingredients" to make it "extra grypy".
are anti-static and clings through a combination of suction and friction
protect surfaces from marring and scratching
prevent the loss of tools, bolts, and other small items
are not magnetic (does not pick up bits of metal fragments that scratch)
are rated for very hot and very cold temperatures (climate, engine, workspace, etc)
are washable; oils and chemicals (used in mechanic work) wash off easily and do not harm that mats
can be used in a variety of activities; mechanical work, jewelry-making, gunsmithing, and almost any activity that requires keeping track of items.

I chose this size of Grypmat because it was in my gift-giving price range. The bright orange color is a bonus and will help him find the mat if (when) he misplaces it. Also, it is the size that fits on a ladder step. I cannot count the number of times I've watched my friend at the top of a ladder trying to hold on to multiple items while working.

Comments, Photos, and a Brief Review from My Friend

I knew I'd review the medium Grypmat as soon as my friend started text-bombing me with photos and comments about the gift I gave to him. As a side note, my friend works in building maintenance and car repair. I know that he HATES when people are careless and scratch things by laying their tools on surfaces. I've been with him when the socket drops out of his hand, falls through the engine, and a hide-n-seek game ensues. As soon as I saw these Grypmats, I knew that he would put it to good use. But I had no clue how much he'd love it. In fact, I had apologized that this gift was probably a really boring/practical/work-related gift.

The following is a selection of photos and comments from my friend (used with permission):

"I'd say I've had numerous times I'd like to have it on the window....

a place to sit stuff"

"Even the mirror job... I had tools on the wiper cowl and if you miss one... crunch... hoodcrumple"

"Now watch this.. bridge over an area !!!!!!!"

"And it's an electrical insulator... won't arc battery..."

Of course, there are Grypmat knock-offs available. I decided to purchase the original Grypmat out of the expectation (an expectation that was met) that the materials would be high quality and the product would perform as advertised. I'd imagine that the knock-offs would provide a non-marring tool mat but I imagine that the "gripping" ability would be absent. For example, my silicone soap molds are heat-resistant in an oven and would prevent tools from making scratches in surfaces if used as a mat. But the grip factor is missing as is the industrial level quality. I am also not confident that my silicone items would stand up to the chemicals used in auto repairs and similar activities.

Who Invented Grypmat?

"Grypmat is a Veteran-founded company founded by former Air Force F-16 Mechanic, Tom Burden" from the Grypmat official website.

Another reason I chose Grypmat was related to who the inventor is. While I am not someone who does a great deal of shopping, I do try to support Veteran-owned businesses when I spend money. I also support entrepreneurs and small business as often as I am able. Finally, who better to design a tool mat than an F-16 mechanic?

I felt that my decision was validated when I realized that Tom Burden had also appeared on The Shark Tank. If The Sharks have faith in this product, I thought it would be a good choice as a gift for my friend.

And clearly, it was an excellent and much appreciated choice.

Related Links:

If you are interested in a Grypmat, or want more information, you can check the official website. You can also find Grypmats on Amazon via the Grypshon store or using the link below.

Photo credit: truck and Grypmat photos courtesy of Dawn Rae's BFF.

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